Alliance Copper Limited and the Bioleaching of Copper

by Cleve Lightfoot Manager Technology Presentation to the December Meeting of CIM Radisson Hotel, Santiago

ACLs Vision
We are the worlds leading company in the business of treating complex copper concentrates, product of the integration of the technology of bioleaching and a highly qualified and motivated team. We generate value for our clients, shareholders and the country by, developing innovative solutions, applying an environmentally sustainable technology, and working safely in a climate of trust and collaboration

ACLs Strengths
Is a junior company

It has the resources to develop its own technology and projects

Administration Operation Design Technology improvements

Is a senior company

It has the back-up of its shareholders Codelco:BHP Billiton

Financial Technological

Technology Breakthroughs
SX

12

1940s

Flash Smelting 1949

5 next? what is 4

Production (Mt)

Grades (%)

3 6 2 1 0 1900 1925
Conversion 1909

3 0 1950 1975 2000

Flotation 1901

Open Pit 1907

Industry Threats
Slow reaction with a corresponding loss in value & confidence

More attention to industry leadership (Proactivity) Requirements for new skill groups (microbiology) HSECQ Triple bottom line reporting Life Cycle Assessments Impact analyses Relationship with the community

The fundamentals have changed Other industries are more

attractive to the younger generation

Decrease the consumption of energy Accelerate chemical reactions Optimize calorific efficiencies Improve the continuity of processes

Relevance of Environmental
matters

Sustainability of existing
operations questionable

Social responsability

ACL:The Fundamentals

Technology

Environment Health & Safety

Business

ACL: The Technology

The bioleaching of complex copper sulfide concentrates in stirred reactors

ACL: The Technology

Mesophiles
Micro-organisms
Bacteria of the type

Thermophiles
Archaea of the type

Acidothiobacilas

Sulfolobus
Primary sulfides enargite) ( Chalcopyrite, Sulfolobus 70-80 C

Application Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans Secondary sulfides Temperature of operacion Physical nature Stage of Development
Wall Industrial gold plants Pilot plants/demo With Base Metals 40 C

Rigid Cell

Soft sheath

Pilot plant; Reactors of 5 / 50 y 300 m3

ACL: A Proven Technology

Diverse concentrates tested
from different sources. Good metal recoveries Scale-up factors developed
100
Canada US Russia Uzbekistan Iran Ghana Brazil Peru Botswana Chile DRC Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe Australia New Zealand Indonesia China

South Africa

Cu dissolution [%]

95

90

85

80 Concentrates

ACL: The advantages of the Technology

New smelter
Cost

Existing smelter (TC/RC)

BioCOP

Impurity Content (As)

ACL: Advantages of the Technology (As)

State of the ions
As(III) -> As(V) Fe(II) -> Fe(III)

1.2 1 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0

arsenate
amorphous crystalline [scorodite]

Stability

[mg/L]

Precipitation of Ferric

TCLP SPLP Cu Fe As
Limit As < 5mg/L

Both forms pass both the TCLP & SPLP tests

ACL: Precious Metal Recovery

Ag & Au remain in the solids (separation of
products)

The investment required in the Ag plant is

favoured due to mass loss during bioleaching

Brine leaching established as the best

alternative

ACL: Immediate Challenge

Demonstrate the technology in a Prototype Plant, now under construction, using complex copper concentrates. This step signifies an investment of some US$60 million million

ACL: Prototype Plant - Flow

BIOCOP
Concentrate Management

Pre-leach

Bioleach

CCD

Residues to Montecristo

SX-EW
SX Pilot Plant

SX EW Oxide circuit Chuquicamata

EW Pilot Plant

ACL: Prototype Plant - Location

PLANTA PROTOTIPO PLANTA DE OXIDOS CHUQUICAMATA

TUBERIA DE PLS

ACL: Prototype Plant

Water tanks Grinding Limestone Plant SX

EW

Preleach Tank farm Bioleach

Filtrating Offices

PLS Pond

Emergency Pond

Main S/S

CCD

ACL: Prototype Plant Milestones

Construction: May-02 July-03 Commissioning: 3rd quarter 2003 Start-up: 4th quarter 2003 End of technical evaluation: 1st quarter 2005

Photo: 19 October 2002

ACL: Prototype Plant - General

Capital Investment: 60 MUS$ Principal Contracts:

EPCM Oxygen Supply Electrical Energy Supply

Man Hours EPCM: 128.690 Man Hours Construction: 511.427 Concrete: 6.000 m3 Steel: 430 ton Purchase orders: 72 (35 equipment 37 material)

ACL: Prototype Plant Concentrate Management

MOLINO DE BOLAS DE RE-USO

ESTANQUE RECEPCION CONCENTRADO

ESTANQUE ALIMENTACION A BIOLIXIVIACION

ACL: Prototype Plant PreLeaching

CAJON DE ALIMENTACION ESTANQUE DE NUTRIENTES SAF 2205

REACTORES PRELIXIVIACION SAF 2205

ESPESADOR PRELIXIVIACION

ACL: Prototype Plant Bioleaching

CAJON DE ALIMENTACION DE 4 VIAS,SAF 2205 CAJON DE ALIMENTACION A CCD SAF 2205 REACTOR PRIMARIO P2 HORMIGON STEBBINS

REACTOR SECUNDARIO S1 HORMIGON STEBBINS

ACL: Prototype Plant CCD

EDIFICIO FILTRO ESTANQUE ESPESADOR CCD ESTANQUE ALIMENTACION A FILTRO

ESTANQUE DECANTADOR CCD

ACL: Prototype Plant Operations

Production of 20.000 tonnes cathode per
annum Plant Compliment: 52 persons

Supervision and Administration: 12 persons Operation: 30 persons Mantenance: 10 persons Various supplies Maintenance of specialized equipment Laboratory Disposal of Residues Specialized professional services

Services of third parties:

SAFETY is valued

HSECQ

To meet legislation and established norms

A healthy and safe work environment

The effective and efficient use of resources

ALLIANCE COPPER LIMITED HSECQ Policy

SUSTAINABLE and AUDITABLE environmental practices A CONFISING and COLLABORATIVE relation with the community A culture of QUALITY and CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

The bioleaching of copper concentrates in agitated reactors

ACL: Future Challenges

100-200ktpa Industrial Plant

Commercialization
20ktpa Prototype Plant In construction

Phase

Creation of ACL

Demostration Pilot Plant

Pilot Plant in Chuqui ITR Operation

Laboratory
1990 1995

Piloting Thermophiles

2000

2005

2010

ACL: A Leading Company

Innovation

Core Competencies
Business development Technology Engineering Projects Operations