Metals recovery and inertisation of zinc residues in a pilot TSL furnace - Juiz de Fora, Brazil.

The RLE (roasting, leaching and electrolysis) zinc production process used by Votorantim Metals Holding smelter at Juiz de Fora (VMH JF) was the most common employed at Zn companies worldwide until recently. At VMH JF, there are two waste dams in the unit, the Fish Dam that is already out of operation, and the Stones Dam that is still in operation. The Stones Dam constantly receives waste from zinc hydrometallurgy and the iron residue (jarosite) corresponding to almost 85% of that amount. This material has significant amounts of metals such as Zn, Pb, Ag and In and their recoveries combined with the possibility of producing an inert waste (slag) and the end of the Zn industry need for dams could make it economically viable to install a plant for this purpose. This study assesses in pilot scale the efficiency of the pyrometallurgical route on a TSL furnace to process the material contained in the waste dams of the plant, and if this process could be a technical and economical solution to finish or reduce significantly the waste generated in the Votorantim zinc smelters.
The RLE (roasting, leaching and electrolysis) zinc production process used by Votorantim Metals Holding smelter at Juiz de Fora (VMH JF) was the most common employed at Zn companies worldwide until recently. At VMH JF, there are two waste dams in the unit, the Fish Dam that is already out of operation, and the Stones Dam that is still in operation. The Stones Dam constantly receives waste from zinc hydrometallurgy and the iron residue (jarosite) corresponding to almost 85% of that amount. This material has significant amounts of metals such as Zn, Pb, Ag and In and their recoveries combined with the possibility of producing an inert waste (slag) and the end of the Zn industry need for dams could make it economically viable to install a plant for this purpose. This study assesses in pilot scale the efficiency of the pyrometallurgical route on a TSL furnace to process the material contained in the waste dams of the plant, and if this process could be a technical and economical solution to finish or reduce significantly the waste generated in the Votorantim zinc smelters.