Capability statement Expertise in pyrometallurgy
SNC-Lavalin is a leader in the study, design and construction of pyrometallurgical plants.
Our roasting, smelting, and converting technology expertise is internationally recognized and is enhanced by a solid reputation in the design and modernization of associated gas and dust collection and treatment facilities. SNC-Lavalin’s strong process engineering expertise coupled with world-class simulation capabilities offer a complete package to better design and optimize metallurgical operations. We address the needs of projects large and small, delivering value to our clients at all stages of project development and operation.
Pyrometallurgical processes Fundamental process evaluation › Ferrous metallurgy › Process debottlenecking and troubleshooting › Ironmaking, steelmaking, ferro-alloys › Auditing and operational support › Non-ferrous metallurgy › Process review/optimization (applying best available › Copper, lead, zinc, PGM, niobium, aluminum, technologies, continuous monitoring, adoption titanium, nickel, antimony of advanced sensors, dynamic/online process simulation) › Wide range of smelting, converting › Process development (from first principles, and refining reactors and technologies thermodynamics/kinetics/fluid-dynamic evaluations › Slag cleaning and handling technologies to (pre)feasibility studies and implementation) Associated technologies › Design and execution of lab-, pilot-, and full-scale trials › Technology screening and trade-off studies › Drying › Economic feasibility studies › Calcination/sintering › Due diligences › Crushing/screening Thermodynamics › Casting/cooling (Fact Sage) › Pelletizing/briquetting › Off-gas handling and emission control
PROCESS SIMULATION @SNC-LAVALIN Flowsheet development/ Kinetics and transport H&M balances (METSIM) phenomena (CFD) Recent selected pyrometallurgy mandates
Atmospheric Emissions Reduction (AER) and Surface Facility Upgrade (SFU) Project, Canada
Client: Vale Highlights of services provided Services: FEL3, EPCM › SNC-Lavalin worked around the aisle operation and optimized › Brownfield project to retrofit and modernize Vale’s nickel smelter short time slots to complete certain work complex in Sudbury and reduce its atmospheric emissions to › Except for planned plant maintenance, the converter aisle meet new government emission standards successfully maintained normal operation over the 12-month
› Aims to reduce SO2 emissions by 85% and metal emissions by 40% period of demolition and construction of converter No. 8 › Replacement of converting systems (3 new converters), › The project was completed without environmental spills, modifications to weak acid treatment plant, addition of two new releases, or damage on site or in the local community. 450 ft stacks and decommissioning of the existing 1,250 ft stack, wet gas cleaning plant, secondary baghouse, etc. Barro Alto, Brazil
Client: Anglo American Brasil Highlights of services provided Services: FS, EPCM › Winner of 3 important H&S awards in 2011: Anglo American’s › Greenfield mine and process plant to produce 35,400 tpa Applaud award for example-setting safety performance, Brazil of nickel in 141,700 tpa of ferronickel Protection magazine’s Award for top H&S management practices, › Saprolitic nickel ore is treated in two parallel, identical process and DuPont award for H&S project management in Brazil streams. The pyrometallurgical process incorporates RKEF › Use of 3D model software for electric furnace design supported technology and finishing refinery multidisciplinary team collaboration, lowered costs, › SNC-Lavalin was responsible for process plant and infrastructure, and increased the final quality of the works. For example, cable including substations, water supply, cooling water dam, roads, quantity was reduced by up to 60% in some areas, saving workshops, offices. installation time and costs.
Flash Furnace & Sulphuric Acid Plant, Serbia
Client: Rudarsko Topionicarski Basen (RTB) Highlights of services provided Services: FS, EPC › Project completed on schedule and lump sum budget › Brownfield installation of a flash smelter furnace, material- maintained, facilitating as-planned production ramp-up handling system, converter hood, evaporative cooling chamber, › Local contractors and workers benefitted from our local buying and double absorption sulphuric acid plant. Also, upgrades policies and majority hiring of local construction personnel, to upstream and downstream facilities including site management
› Project reduced SO2 emissions by 99.5% to comply › Local HSSE culture and practices improved dramatically thanks with stringent EU emission limits. to our strong leadership and upper management commitment.
Year Location Project Client Services In progress Brazil Araguaia Ferronickel Project Horizonte Minerals FS, VE 2020 Canada Atmospheric Emissions Reduction Vale FS, EPCM 2016 Serbia Flash Furnace & Sulphuric Acid Plant RTB Bor FS, EPC 2014 Ecuador Copper Smelter and Refinery Ministerio Coordinator de Sectores Estratégicos del Ecuador SS 2013 Indonesia Dampala Nickel PT. Artha Bumi Mining PFS 2012 Zimbabwe Smelter Expansion Zimplats FS 2012 Canada Niobium Converter Technology Trade-off Iamgold E 2011 Peru Lead/Silver Smelter Votorantim Metais – Cajamarquilla CS, CS 2011 Brazil Barro Alto Anglo American FS, EPCM 2011 Canada Brunswick Smelter Expansion Xstrata PFS 2010 Chile Mina Ministro Hales Codelco E 2009 Turkey Çevmetco Zinoc Oxide Project Silvermet Corporation FS 2008 Egypt Red Sea Red Sea Copper FS 2008 Canada Matte Tap Emissions Control Hudbay Minerasl PFS
CS: Conceptual Study / SS: Scoping Study / E: Engineering / P: Procurement / CM: Construction Management / FS: Feasibility Study / PFS: Pre-Feasibility Study / VE: Value Engineering