Metso From Ore to Metals: Metso Outotec Offers Complete Solution to Recover Precious & Base Metals from Cengiz Mazidagi

“This was definitely a unique project, as there aren’t any other kinds in the world,” says Taygun. “Not only is it a complex fertilizer operation, but the valuable product is coming from the Pyrite deposit. Utilizing this mining residue has made this a truly special operation.”

The dedicated installation team comprised of local Metso Outotec personnel in addition to business line and product line colleagues. The team worked around the clock with installation and commissioning, as well as offering site services. During project execution, the team was also training the sites own operators and engineers on how to use the technologies.

“We were all working as one team,” states Taygun. “This was our main approach, and we are continuing to do that even now to help our clients execute good construction and commissioning.”

A Successful Recovery

This harmonious orchestra of equipment has created a multitude of additional benefits for the customer. In the end, Eti Bakır Mazıdağı received a seamlessly working plant with recoveries of 2000TPA of Cu cathodes of LME grade A, 2100TPA of Metallic Co in CoCO3 cake, as well as 860TPA of Metallic Zn in ZnCO3 cake. Along with these benefits, the site was able to produce extra steam production (120T/H of steam where the 20T is used in preheating and 100T utilized for extra energy of about 22MW), whilst having 20% consumption of reagents. Product quality was also increased, as our technology helped the customer produce LME grade A Cu cathode and a high purity of CoCO3.

These benefits provided by Metso Outotec’s innovation significantly impact the competitiveness of the customer whilst improving their overall profitability. Furthermore, the ongoing site service does not end there. Metso Outotec personnel visit the site two days per week to ensure all is running smoothly. By checking each of the processes and supporting the customer with any challenges, we can see if there are any solutions that can be delivered immediately.

Lead Process Engineer, Marcus Runkel, believes it was their early piloting that led to the success of the operation.

“One of the key issues when starting a new project like this is how do you hook everything up and push the project all the way to the end,” says Marcus. “Without our initial test work to figure out our different solutions and process routes, we would not have this project today.”

Creating Opportunities Moving Forward

Metso Outotec is built on partnerships. The positive outcome with the extraction technology has allowed for further collaboration with even more of the company’s sites.

“The customer is happy with our solutions and satisfied with the site production deliverables,” says Osman. “They explicitly convey their positive messages to us and also to our other potential customers globally, and our services are being extended in the form of spare parts and maintenance inspections as well.”

This success story has led to even more opportunities for the team, as they are already in communication for sales cases with other customers.

“A big benefit for us is that this has now become a reference site,” says Taygun. “Any customer, even globally, can contact us if they have similar plans about recovering metals, and we can always refer to the Mazıdağı plant and what we achieved there. We are the first option, every time for Cengiz group, and this is a good reason why.”

Here at Metso Outotec, we see challenges as opportunities. We understand our customer’s world and the daily challenges they can be faced with. Due to the Metso Outotec solution, Eti Bakır Mazıdağı was able to recover more precious metals than they hoped would be possible. There’s a strength in partnerships, and a power in innovation. That’s why, together, we are the partner for positive change.

This article is part of our Hydrometallurgy Newsletter Issue 1/2020. Visit the issue front page for all articles and greetings from Mikko Rantaharju, Vice President of Hydrometallurgy business line.