Albion process
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The Albion process is an atmospheric leaching process for processing zinc concentrate, refractory copper and refractory gold.[1] The process is important because it is the most cost-effective method currently in use for extracting both the zinc and lead from concentrates that contain high lead levels (7% or greater). Zinc and lead often occur together and large remaining zinc deposits contain levels of lead that exceed what can be economically extracted through other techniques. The Albion process is not sensitive to the concentration grade and gives favorable recovery with both low grade and dirty concentrates. Environmental impact is also claimed[2] to be mitigated using this technology because in contrast to other methods, sulfur dioxide is not emitted and less energy is consumed over all.
Development of the Albion process started during the early nineties led by Mount Isa Mines. It was first patented in 1993.[3] Several pilot plant projects were conducted in 1994 and 1995 which tested the feasibility of using the technology to process high arsenic gold and copper ore.[3]
The Albion Process has been successfully installed in seven projects globally:
