Mission accomplished in Argentia
In October, Inco achieved another major milestone at its Voisey’s Bay project with the start-up of the Hydromet Demonstration Plant (HDP) in Argentia, Newfoundland. By completing the project in three phases, Inco will be able to thoroughly and cost-effectively evaluate the process and ensure a successful full-scale operation.
Phase 1 was a 1:10,000-scale mini plant built by Inco at its research facility in Mississauga, Ontario. Phase 2, the HDP designed and constructed by SGE Hatch, is a 1:100-scale version of the full-scale plant that would be built in Phase 3. The HDP will test the hydrometallurgical processing technologies that Inco is evaluating for treatment of Voisey’s Bay nickel concentrates.
 Phase 2 Hydromet plant in Argentia, Newfoundland |
This research program is one of the most significant R&D investments in Canada. Hydromet technology offers a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional smelting and refining. It is more economical, from both capital and operating perspectives, more energy efficient, and more environmentally friendly since it eliminates the sulphur dioxide and dust emissions usually associated with conventional smelting. |
Infrastructure work included design and construction of an office and warehouse, project office and site infrastructure on the old American naval base in Argentia. As the project advanced to the prefeasibility stage, integrated teams were formed between our Mississauga and St. John's offices to complete the study. One focused on site infrastructure including power supply, roads, site development and the main building. The other focused on the Hydromet process, equipment selection and the associated detailed design aspects.
Even before the study was complete, detailed engineering began on several aspects of the infrastructure work in order to maintain the aggressive schedule, and a full-time site team was established to oversee construction.
Once the prefeasibility study was approved, detailed engineering and procurement teams were established with members in both St. John's and Mississauga, linked by a dedicated computer and video-conferencing network. The entire plant was modeled in 3D to allow review of the complex layout and to facilitate interference management.
 SGE Hatch project staff handing the keys to Inco: (l-r) Mark Stephenson (Inco), Ken Burns, Randy McMeekin, Joe Shirley (Project Director for Inco), Tanya Power, Bob Kelly (Inco), Bruce MacKay, Mike Fleming (Inco) and Rob Fraser |
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Keys to the finished HDP were handed over to Inco on October 8, 2005 – eight months ahead of the initial target completion date and almost two months ahead of the completion date forecast in the Prefeasibility Study. The twenty-month construction effort came in approximately 10 percent under budget, logging more than 200,000 hours without a single lost-time accident.
The HDP includes all unit operations required for a full-scale commercial plant, including final electrowinning of copper, cobalt and nickel. Approximately 150 people will be employed at the HDP through late 2007, at which time Inco will complete its feasibility assessment of the hydromet process. Construction of the commercial processing plant would begin in 2009 and be completed in 2011.
For further information, please contact:
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Bruce MacKay |
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