Abstract

LEMA PATINO, Jorge  and  CHAMBI VIRACA, Luis Cervando. Possibilities of electrolytic zinc recovery for current processes. Rev. Met. UTO [online]. 2015, n.36, pp. 11-18. ISSN 2078-5593.

Zinc ores are currently exported as concentrates without the added value that a refinery installed in Bolivia could offer. Bolivian zinc ores are sulfurous and contain a lot of iron, which complicate the implementation of hydrometallurgical technologies for the recovery of metallic zinc, especially at levels of 3,600 m. Currently there are alternatives to recover high purity zinc. These technologies have limitations for their application in Bolivian zinc minerals and their analysis is important to select the most appropriate for the national conditions. These metallurgical alternatives to recover high grade electrolytic zinc are: LREW (conventional process) with by-products recovery; DYNATEC Sherritt Technologies; Process INTEC (IZP) and Process SKORPIO (combined techniques), with limitations for complex minerals. The best option to process zinc concentrates of the quality produced in Bolivia is the Ausmelt / Zinc technology; in addition, recovery of indium will be feasible. In thispaper, the processes of eachalternativetoconsider the advantages/disadvantagesof their application in Bolivian zinc concentrates are analyzed.

Keywords : Hydrometallurgy; obtaining of zinc; lixiviation; zinc electrolysis.