MININGWORLD
Metsol develops
unique zinc oxide
recovery process
Australian-based Metallic Waste Solutions Pty Ltd., colloquially known as Metsol, has developed a proprietary technology
that can recover high purity, zinc oxide from several types of
zinc-bearing feedstocks, including the zinc ore smithsonite, a
carbonate of zinc (ZnCO3). Smithsonite occurs as a secondary
mineral from the weathering or oxidation of zinc-bearing ore
deposits and sometimes occurs as replacement bodies in carbonate rocks.
Ric Gros, Managing Director of Metsol, in an interview, said
the process offers cost advantages over other zinc extraction
technologies as the final product of zinc oxide is easily salable at
a significantly higher profit margin than any other process available. Zinc oxide is in demand for the manufacture of a variety of
products including, ceramics, chemicals, cosmetics, animal feed;
it is used in all rubber products such as tires and as a supplement for fertilizers.
Metsol management expects the zinc oxide market to reach
1.9 million tonnes annually by 2020 with a value of some $3.8
billion.
Metsol's mini production plant in Adelaide, Australia has a capacity of 40
tonnes per year. Photo courtesy Metallic Waste Solutions Pty Ltd.
november 2013
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