Publication: ESTUDIO DE LA FACTIBILIDAD TÉCNICA Y ECONÓMICA PARA EL DISEÑO DE UNA PLANTA DE EXTRACCIÓN DE MINERALES ESTRATÉGICOS A PARTIR DE PASIVOS AMBIENTALES MINEROS
Date
2017
Authors
CHÁVEZ MATUS, TABATHA MONTSERRAT ALEXANDRA
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Abstract
Actualmente se está viviendo una situación geopolítica compleja por la escasez y monopolio de un grupo de minerales denominados minerales estratégico, dicha clasificación ha sido asignada por la Unión Europea, como alerta a la comunidad mundial para intensificar la investigación y el desarrollo de la extracción de estos por diferentes medios. Estos minerales, tales como el Berilio, Germanio, Indio, Galio, Tierras Raras, Niobio, entre otros poseen una demanda ascendente por su utilización en el desarrollo de tecnologías médicas, energías renovables, aparatos electrónicos, defensa militar y diversas otras aplicaciones que sustentan al mundo actual. Dada la demanda ascendente y monopolio en la producción, existe un inminente riesgo de suministro, representando un peligro para la economía mundial.Por otra parte, en Chile existen 15 mil millones de toneladas de relaves, en los que se han encontrado cantidades importantes de metales (6000 ppm de cobre, 3% de fierro), o cantidades relevantes económicamente de minerales estratégicos (20 ppm de Neodimio, 30 ppm de Galio, 20 ppm de Germanio, entre otros). Dicho escenario hace la diversificación de la matriz de extracción de minerales una oportunidad de mercado atractivo para el país.En este contexto, se presenta el desarrollo de un diseño de proceso aplicado a un caso de estudio del potencial económico de extracción y comercialización de minerales estratégicos. El caso de estudio parte con la caracterización de los elementos químicos, mediante un análisis ICP-MS del tranque Coemin con 30 millones de toneladas de relave. Se desarrolla una metodología para priorizar los elementos a recuperar, a través de una matriz de selección; considerando precios, demanda, riesgo de suministro, eficiencia de la tecnología, costo de la tecnología, y ganancias por toneladas material. Bajo esta metodología, se seleccionan: Galio, Germanio, Cobalto y Cobre, luego de esto se realiza un diseño de procesos. El diseño considera un proceso hidrometalúrgico con una etapa de flotación colectiva y reactor autoclave y una separación de cada elemento de valor, mediante extracción por solvente, para luego mediante métodos de purificación, se extrae Cobre, Galio y Cobalto metálico, junto con oxido de Germanio. Se analizó la factibilidad del proyecto realizando un estudio económico del caso, demostrándose que el proyecto tiene un valor actual neto de 122 millones de dólares y una tasa interna de retorno de 22%, además este proyecto busca enmarcarse en una empresa clase B.Con esta propuesta se plantea un nuevo modelo de negocios para el país, que a su vez ayudará con una de las mayores crisis ambientales de este, los relaves mineros. Los pasivos ambientales mineros son prioridad nacional en diversos ámbitos, tales como el medioambiental, legislativo, tecnológico, entre otros. Al mismo, el trabajo de memoria busca tener un impacto económico diversificando la matriz de productos, así como un mercado con una demanda sostenida y con pocos proveedores.
Currently, a complex geopolitical situation is being experienced due to the scarcity and monopoly of a group of minerals called Critical Raw Materials. This classification has been assigned by the European Union, as a warning to the world community to intensify the research and development of the extraction of minerals. These elements, such as Beryllium, Germanium, Indian, Gallium, Rare Earth, Niobium, among others, have an ascending demand for their use in the development of medical technologies, renewable energies, electronic devices, military defence and other applications that sustain the actual society. Given the upward demand and monopoly in production, there is an imminent risk of supply, representing a danger to the world economy.On the other hand, in Chile there are 15 billion tons of tailings, in which significant quantities of metals have been found (6000 ppm of copper, 3% of iron), or economically relevant quantities of strategic minerals (20 ppm of Neodymium, 30 ppm of Gallium, 20 ppm of Germanium, among others). This scenario makes the diversification of the mineral extraction matrix an attractive market opportunity for the country.In this context, this thesis is about the development of a process design applied to a case study of the economic potential of extraction and commercialization of Critial Raw Materials. The case study begins with the characterization of the chemical elements, through an ICP-MS analysis of the Coemin dam with 30 million tons of tailings. A methodology is developed to prioritize the elements to be recovered, through a selection matrix; considering prices, demand, supply risk, technology efficiency, cost of technology, and earnings per material tons. Under this methodology, it is select: Gallium, Germanium, Cobalt and Copper. The design considers a hydrometallurgical process with a collective flotation stage and autoclave reactor and a separation of each value element, by means of solvent extraction, and then by means of purification methods, Copper, Gallium and metallic Cobalt are extracted, together with Germanium oxide. The feasibility of the project was analysed making an economic study of the case, showing that the project has a net present value of 122 million dollars and an internal rate of return of 22%, also this project seeks to be framed in a B Corporation business model.With this proposal a new business model for the country is proposed, which in turn will help with one of the biggest environmental crisis of this, the mine tailings. Mining environmental liabilities are a national priority in various areas, such as environmental, legislative, technological, among others. At the same time, the thesis seeks to have an economic impact by diversifying the product matrix, as well as a market with sustained demand and few suppliers.
Currently, a complex geopolitical situation is being experienced due to the scarcity and monopoly of a group of minerals called Critical Raw Materials. This classification has been assigned by the European Union, as a warning to the world community to intensify the research and development of the extraction of minerals. These elements, such as Beryllium, Germanium, Indian, Gallium, Rare Earth, Niobium, among others, have an ascending demand for their use in the development of medical technologies, renewable energies, electronic devices, military defence and other applications that sustain the actual society. Given the upward demand and monopoly in production, there is an imminent risk of supply, representing a danger to the world economy.On the other hand, in Chile there are 15 billion tons of tailings, in which significant quantities of metals have been found (6000 ppm of copper, 3% of iron), or economically relevant quantities of strategic minerals (20 ppm of Neodymium, 30 ppm of Gallium, 20 ppm of Germanium, among others). This scenario makes the diversification of the mineral extraction matrix an attractive market opportunity for the country.In this context, this thesis is about the development of a process design applied to a case study of the economic potential of extraction and commercialization of Critial Raw Materials. The case study begins with the characterization of the chemical elements, through an ICP-MS analysis of the Coemin dam with 30 million tons of tailings. A methodology is developed to prioritize the elements to be recovered, through a selection matrix; considering prices, demand, supply risk, technology efficiency, cost of technology, and earnings per material tons. Under this methodology, it is select: Gallium, Germanium, Cobalt and Copper. The design considers a hydrometallurgical process with a collective flotation stage and autoclave reactor and a separation of each value element, by means of solvent extraction, and then by means of purification methods, Copper, Gallium and metallic Cobalt are extracted, together with Germanium oxide. The feasibility of the project was analysed making an economic study of the case, showing that the project has a net present value of 122 million dollars and an internal rate of return of 22%, also this project seeks to be framed in a B Corporation business model.With this proposal a new business model for the country is proposed, which in turn will help with one of the biggest environmental crisis of this, the mine tailings. Mining environmental liabilities are a national priority in various areas, such as environmental, legislative, technological, among others. At the same time, the thesis seeks to have an economic impact by diversifying the product matrix, as well as a market with sustained demand and few suppliers.
Description
Catalogado desde la version PDF de la tesis.
Keywords
COBALTO METALICO , COBRE METALICO , EXTRACCION POR SOLVENTE , FLOTACION , GALIO METALICO , MINERALES ESTRATEGICOS , OXIDO DE GERMANIO , PROCESO HIDROMETALURGICO , RELAVES