Enterprise Nickel Project

Client

First Quantum Minerals Limited

Location

Zambia

Completion

2017

Overview

The 4.5 Mt/y Enterprise Nickel Project was developed alongside the 55 Mt/y Sentinel Copper Project and made extensive use of the existing copper facilities and infrastructure.

The Enterprise plant was designed with considerable flexibility to allow it to treat ore from a variety of sources. The equipment sizing, and pipe configuration allows a choice of eight different process routes (flash float on; talc pre-float on; mill only etc.) to nominally treat four different ore types.

Copper ore from the Sentinel mine can be processed utilising the mills only to provide either additional primary grind capacity or regrind capacity.

The scope of work included the development of process flow diagrams, PID’s, control philosophy, equipment selection, civil, structural, mechanical, and piping design, and preparation of procurement documents.

Since completion of the Enterprise project CPC has completed a large number of upgrade projects for Enterprise and the associated Sentinel Plant. These have included a concentrate deslime circuit, reagent mixing systems, pit dewatering and other infrastructure works. CPC are currently performing engineering for the installation of a Jameson Cell and gravity circuit.

Requirement

  • Engineering design of new Nickel concentrate with access to existing downstream copper facility to minimise additional build costs
  • Design of dual facility to accommodate Nickel and Talc
  • Development of process flow diagrams, PDI’s, control philosophy, equipment selection, civil, structural, mechanical and piping design, and preparation of procurement packages

Highlights and Achievements

  • Dual circuit plant design interfacing with Sentinel downstream facilities
  • Successful design developed off limited data and to fit with existing footprint
  • Implementation completed during downtime
  • Project delivery in short timeline

Benefits for Client

  • Cost efficiencies with use of existing facilities and dual commodity design
  • Fast turn around time with agility and accessibility of CPC’s team
  • Dual use of plant provides allows choice in commodity to benefit from pricing and availability