Pueblo Viejo – Pressure Oxidation & Air Separation Project
Barrick Gold Corporation and Goldcorp Inc.
|
Dominican Republic
|
2006–2012
4 largest
autoclaves in the world by weight (2,178 tonnes)
Largest
sulphur-oxidation capacity to date (over 500 kt S/yr)
Award of Merit
Consulting Engineers of Ontario
1.125 million
ounces of gold per annum for the first 5 years
Challenges
- The double refractory and polymetallic characteristics of this gold ore make it one of the most complex to process in the world
- Production is expected to average 1.125 million ounces of gold per annum for the first five years. The final design capacity is 24 000 t/d, using four autoclave trains
- The fabrication and transport of these autoclaves required innovative solutions due to logistical challenges posed by their diameter and length
Solutions
- Full EPCM program for the core part of the gold refractory process (pressure oxidation and oxygen plant) began in 2008
- The pressure oxidation area included autoclave vessels and auxiliary components; slurry preheat vessels; pressure let-down vessels; vent gas cyclones; vent gas quenching; gas scrubbing; and related support services and utilities
- The autoclaves were designed, selected, and had specified linings and installation requirements.
- Managed construction of the supplier-designed 4,000 t/d oxygen plant (99.5% gas purity, and 45-bar delivery pressure)
Highlights
- Consulting Engineers of Ontario Award of Merit, Pueblo Viejo 2013
- The pressure-oxidation and air-separation-unit process areas were delivered on time and on budget despite that logistical challenges
- Managed the transportation and logistics of the large pressure oxidation (autoclave) vessels and oxygen plant equipment, including a 120 km, 18-day, cross-country trek to the mine site
- The air-separation unit was the largest-capacity oxygen facility built at any gold mine to date, by several orders of magnitude
Project Numbers
1.125 million ounces of gold per annum (first 5 years)24,000 tpd utilizing 4 autoclave trains
230°C operating temperature
40 bar (g) operation pressure
500 kt S/yr design sulfur-oxidation capacity
Largest autoclaves in the world by weight (2,178 tonnes)
4,000 tpd oxygen plant-design construction management