
Sierra Gorda Molybdenum Plant
Sierra Gorda Sociedad Contractual Minera | Chile | 2012–2013
900 ppm
(Moly ore feed grade) higher than industry average in first 4 years
110 ktpd
of ore throughput for Phase I
790 ktpa
of collective concentrate
190 ktpd
of ore throughput for Phase 2
Challenges
- Ensure the mine-and-concentrator activity met a very steep ramp-up curve and a very aggressive engineering and construction schedule.
- Adjust for molybdenum feed grade of 900 ppm initially and lower grades in later years of operation.
- In its first four years, the 110-ktpd-ore-throughput copper-and-molybdenum concentrator will produce 450 ktpa of collective concentrate, of which 7% is molybdenum concentrate.
- For the remainder of its 22-year life, process 190 ktpd of ore, generating 790 ktpa of collective concentrate with 1.5% molybdenum concentrate.
Solutions
- Provided all detailed engineering to enable the molybdenum flotation plant to integrate smoothly into the main concentrator plant.
- Ensured design is flexible enough to operate from year one to the end of the mine lifespan.
- Only minor piping changes are needed to process different throughputs from main concentrator.
- Integrated pre-commissioning and commissioning data with existing schedules to demonstrate progress, identify potential risks, and advise on developments to minimize start-up delays.
Highlights
- In the first five years, the very high-grade molybdenum concentrate will produce significant revenue.
- Awarded additional work to support ongoing field engineering for the moly plant, pre-commissioning, commissioning, and operational readiness for entire Cu-Mo concentrator.
- Supported further development of detailed schedules and checklists, enabling efficient pre-commissioning turnover and execution of the commissioning work.
- Assisted Sierra Gorda to audit spares, develop health-and-safety standards and isolation procedures, and facilitate overall plant operational-readiness activities.
”Thanks to Hatch we will have in Chile the largest molybdenum plant, with the best technology and a high standard.”
Project numbers
110 ktpdore throughput, first 4 years190 ktpd铁矿石吞吐量(剩余22年)
20-member site team
Services & technologies provided
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