Outokumpu's advanced hydro technologies for Erdenet's two copper projects in Mongolia
Outokumpu Technology and Erdenet Mining Corporation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for building an industrial scale HydroCopperTM plant in Erdenet, Mongolia. The new plant will be designed to produce 35,000 tons copper annually. The HydroCopperTM process is Outokumpu's new, advanced technology to produce copper directly from copper concentrate at the mine site. The parties have agreed that a comprehensive test campaign will be carried out with Erdenet's concentrate at Outokumpu's HydroCopperTM demonstration plant in Pori, Finland. Outokumpu has planned to participate as a minority shareholder in the project.
Besides the HydroCopperTM project, Outokumpu Technology will also participate in another copper project in Erdenet, a copper solvent extraction - electrowinning (SX-EW) plant. Outokumpu has signed an agreement with Samsung Corporation for the basic engineering, the results of which will be used to verify the feasibility. The SX-EW plant will exploit oxide and sulfide ores to produce 25,000 tons copper cathodes per year, increasing thus the total copper production at Erdenet. The plant will utilize Outokumpu's state-of-the-art SX-EW technology.
Erdenet Mining Corporation has until now produced copper concentrate, but the company has now started its investment program for downstream processing of more value-added copper cathodes and copper wire rod. Both new copper plants will be environmentally friendly and very beneficial to the Erdenet City and Mongolia. The quality of products will satisfy the highest demands of Erdenet Mining Corporation's customers.
Outokumpu and Erdenet Mining Corporation have cooperated for 20 years. Outokumpu has earlier supplied concentrator technology to Erdenet and is now enlarging its active partnership with Erdenet Mining Corporation on long-term basis.
For additional information please contact
Outokumpu Technology
Erkki Yllö, Sales Manager - Hydrometallurgy
tel. +358 9 421 2702
e-mail erkki.yllo@outokumpu.com