15
2024-07
Our Global Footprints: 2024 International Project Showcase (Metallurgy)
In the midst of the lush rice fields and thriving nature,
from India, bordered by mountains, to Argentina, the farthest nation from China,
from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, known as the "Heart of Africa", to Indonesia, the "Land of Thousand Islands"
the steadfast footsteps of Nerin employees can be seen everywhere, persevering their way forward.
The gradual achievements of each project
converges into a mighty river that propels Nerin's high-quality development.
All major business sectors are rowing vigorously upwards,
collectively painting the most vibrant picture for the "Year of Foundation" in 2024.
On the occasion of celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China,
China Nerin presents a special showcase featuring its ongoing projects,
narrating project progress and technical highlights with meticulous details,
sharing the stories of Nerin employees as they brave through challenges and forge ahead with perseverance.
1. Kamoa-Kakula 500kt/a Copper Smelter Project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
This project is designed to produce 500kt/a anode copper, with a by-product of 800kt/a ~ 1,000kt/a sulfuric acid. Upon completion, it will become the largest single-line copper smelter in Africa and one of the largest globally. China Nerin serves as the EPCM consultant for this smelter, providing comprehensive project services that encompass design, procurement management, construction management, commissioning management, cost control management, etc.
To process the high-grade copper ores, the project adopts the direct-to-blister furnace copper smelting process, which is characterized by a short process flow and high heat utilization efficiency. The project also leverages the abundant local hydro-power resources to further reduce carbon emissions, aiming to build a green, low-carbon, and environmentally friendly smelter.
China Nerin has not only provided advanced process technologies but also applied dozens of its intelligent equipment and systems to the project, covering most critical facilities in core areas such as smelting plant and sulfuric acid plant as well as integration design, supply, programming, configuration, and debugging of the plant-wide production process control system. This will significantly enhance the automation, intelligence, and standardization levels of the smelter.
Currently, the civil works and construction of main plant buildings have been largely completed, with major equipment in place and installation of piping and electrical instruments underway. Over half of the overall construction progress has been achieved. During the project construction, China Nerin has contributed its "Nerin strength" to making this project a benchmark in the global copper smelting industry by assembling a site construction management team with international engineering experience, integrating production and operation management resources in the copper smelting industry to provide commissioning services, and mobilizing a peak of over 60 technical and management personnel on-site.
2. AMIN 900kt/a Copper Concentrate Smelter Project in Indonesia
This project, invested and constructed by PT Amman Mineral Industri (AMIN), is designed to process 900kt/a copper concentrate (dry basis) annually. China Nerin is responsible for the overall smelter design and the supply of some proprietary technologies and equipment. By fully utilizing Chinese technologies and equipment, China Nerin helped the owner achieve the construction goal of building a green, low-carbon, modern copper smelter with low CAPEX and OPEX, and advanced environmental protection standards.
The project adopts the world's advanced main process of "flash smelting + flash converting”, which is characterized by high equipment standards, energy efficiency, environmental friendliness, and high productivity. Following the successful designs of Shandong Yanggu, Tongling Jinguan, Southeast Copper, and Daye Hongsheng, this is China Nerin's fifth modern large "double flash" copper smelter and the first large "double flash" copper smelter outside China undertaken by a Chinese enterprise.
In addition to China's self-developed cyclone flash smelting and converting technology and the all-wet-process anode slime treatment technology, China Nerin has also incorporated key equipment such as cyclone concentrate and matte burners, flash smelting furnace, and flash converting furnace, as well as the plant-wide production process control system and advanced process control production information management system, contributing to the automation and intelligent upgrading of the smelter.
Currently, the main works of the smelting plant, electro-refinery, slag flotation plant and other key components of the project have been completed, and the installation and commissioning of intelligent equipment are progressing steadily. Upon completion, the project will create over 1,200 jobs locally, significantly contributing to the economic and social development of Indonesia.
3. ADANI 500kt/a Greenfield Copper Smelter Project in India
Located in the Kutch region of Gujarat, India, this project is invested by a Fortune 500 company, the ADANI Group. China Nerin has undertaken the project design and the supply of proprietary equipment.
Due to the project's stringent environmental requirements, the allowable emission concentrations of major pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulates in exhaust gases were set below the special emission standards stipulated in China's "Emission Standards of Pollutants for Copper, Nickel, Cobalt Industry." Furthermore, rigorous carbon reduction targets have been established. The project adopts the "flash smelting + PS converting" process, and China Nerin provided proprietary technologies including cyclone flash copper smelting, mercury removal from flue gas, dynamic wave scrubbing and efficient acid production, pyrometallurgical treatment of anode slime for precious metal recovery, etc. Additionally, China Nerin also supplied key equipment for the main process, including concentrate burner, converter, anode furnace, casting wheel, mercury removal and gas cleaning system, special cranes and machines for electro-refinery, etc. A number of equipment were newly developed by China Nerin, marking the first time that a Chinese enterprise has applied its core technologies with independent intellectual property rights in copper smelting industry to the market of India. This project is also one of the largest single-line copper smelter projects designed and constructed at one go in the world. Upon completion, it will be the largest and most advanced copper smelter in India, encompassing the entire process from copper concentrate smelting to electro-refinery, mercury removal and acid production from flue gas, and anode slime treatment for gold and silver recovery.
Currently, the project is under intense construction, with China Nerin's technical team overcoming challenges posed by extreme heat and adhering to the project site to provide construction services and fully commit to advancing the project's progress. The completion of this project will not only elevate the ADANI Group's position in the global metals market but also further propel India's industrial development and enhance cooperation between China and India in the copper smelting industry.
4. Mariana 20kt/a Lithium Chloride Project in Argentina
Located in Salta City, Salta Province, Argentina, this project is invested by Ganfeng Lithium, a leading enterprise in the new energy sector. It comprises two main facilities: the salt lake (Mariana) and the chemical plant (Guemes). The salt lake covers an extensive mining area of 23,560 hectares, abundant in lithium resources. China Nerin has undertaken the design of the project, offering exceptional "Chinese solutions" with superior technologies and services to the Argentine new energy industry.
The project aims to produce 20,000 tons of lithium chloride annually utilizing a chemical precipitation process to treat high-grade lithium brine from the salt lake. This process leverages the natural characteristic of high evaporation rate in high-altitude salt lakes, effectively utilizing the abundant potassium chloride and magnesium chloride resources within the salt lake. By forming complex salts, it achieves initial purification and impurity removal, significantly reducing the cost of chemical reagents for impurity removal.
The project adheres to a complex design standard system, incorporating Argentine IRAM/CIRSOC standards, ANSI/ASTM American standards, and IEC international standards, with stringent requirements for drawing reviews. Overcoming various challenges, China Nerin employed three-dimensional collaborative technology to design the process piping drawings. After nearly two years of dedicated effort, China Nerin successfully completed all design work for the project, becoming the only engineering firm in China capable of designing construction drawings for lithium extraction from salt lakes under Argentine standards.
Currently, China Nerin has finalized all construction drawings for both facilities. Upon completion, the project is expected to create over 1,700 jobs locally and emerge as a significant contributor to the global lithium supply in the future.
5. LIEX Zijin 3Q Lithium Carbonate Processing Plant Phase 2 Project in Argentina
Located in Fianbala City, Catamarca Province, Argentina, this project is invested by Zijin Mining Group, a global mining giant. With the objectives of low investment, short process flow, and coarse product, the plant is situated at an altitude of 4100m in the 3Q salt lake area. The product is a lithium chloride mixed salt with a purity of 80% or above. China Nerin has undertaken the engineering design of the project and provided full technical support throughout.
The project capacity is 20kt/a LCE (lithium carbonate equivalent), with the final product being battery-grade lithium carbonate. The project leverages the natural conditions of the salt lake for solar evaporation and concentration to remove sodium and potassium, thereby reducing operation energy consumption. Meanwhile, the streamlined process significantly decreases the transportation of auxiliary reagents and the consumption of freshwater required for production, making a significant contribution to the protection of the ecological environment in the plateau salt lake region. After commissioning, the mixed salt products will be transported back to China for further refining, playing a crucial role in ensuring the security of China's lithium resource supply.
To ensure the quality of the design work, the China Nerin project team made multiple trips to the salt lake site, overcoming severe altitude sickness along the way and traversing the mountain pass with altitudes exceeding 4700m by vehicle. Through on-site reconnaissance, the project team collected the basic data required for design, laying a solid foundation for the smooth progress of the construction drawing design.
