MINTEK

Proposal number:

32200

Focal area:

Value Addition

Total funding:

R 6,150,000

Funding year 1:

R 650,000

Funding year 2:

R 2,905,000

Funding year 3:

R 2,595,000

South Africa produces about 100 000 tons of zinc per annum out of a world figure of 7 million tons that is growing steadily. South Africa has considerable potential to increase this amount to over 500 000 tons based on local mineral and energy resources as well as imported concentrates. Conventional zinc processes produce residues that are not environmentally acceptable due to their heavy metal content. MINTEK, together with various zinc producers, is developing a thermal zinc process that can treat both primary and secondary zinc materials economically and in an environmentally friendly manner. However, the zinc metal produced has to be refined to produce a marketable grade. Conventional refining technology is quite costly and requires large plants to be effective. The local implementation of additional zinc projects will create wealth and additional jobs as well as a number of down stream added value opportunities.

The objective of this project is to model, test, design and develop improved and more cost effective process technology and equipment for zinc refining to produce high-grade zinc. The project will be managed in stages from theoretical modelling and an evaluation of alternative process options to the possible construction of bench scale equipment and finally a larger pilot plant facility to enable the design of a commercial plant to be made. Progressing to these stages is based on achieving the necessary milestones. The scope of the project would include the production of some impure zinc from various sources to test on the pilot plant scale to demonstrate the zinc refining technology if necessary.

Project Coordinator:

Dr NA (Nick) Barcza
Phone: +27 (0)11 709 4111 or 4608
Email: nicb@mintek.co.za

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