The Albion Process™ has delivered a significant boost to gold recovery rates for GeoProMining (GPM) at its Ararat processing plant in Armenia, thanks to innovative technology developed by Glencore Technology and supported by Core Resources.
GPM operates the Zod gold mine and the associated processing facility, where traditional methods had only achieved around 20% recovery of gold from sulphide concentrates. With the integration of the Albion Process™, recoveries have surged to over 95%.
The Albion Process™ is an atmospheric leaching process designed for the efficient treatment of sulphide ores. It uses ultrafine grinding to improve the accessibility of sulphide minerals for oxidation. The process eliminates the need for high-pressure and high-temperature leaching, offering a safer and more cost-effective solution.
To support this transformation, Core Resources assisted with process engineering, technology integration, and metallurgical testwork, drawing on deep experience in hydrometallurgy, gold recovery, and metallurgical process engineering. The upgraded flowsheet includes flotation followed by oxidative leaching using the Albion Process™, with the resulting residue treated in a conventional carbon-in-leach (CIL) plant.
Design parameters targeted oxidation of 100,000 tonnes per year of concentrate to yield approximately 100,000 ounces of gold annually. However, actual results exceeded these expectations, with the plant processing 120,000 tonnes per year and achieving 120,000 ounces of gold, thanks to recoveries above 95% from the Albion Process™ circuit.
This success demonstrates how innovative process technology and sound metallurgical process design can unlock value from previously underperforming resources. The project also underscores the value of collaboration between mining companies, technology providers, and metallurgical laboratories like Core Resources.
Core continues to support clients through tailored process engineering and metallurgical services, applying technologies such as the Albion Process™ to improve outcomes in gold recovery and critical mineral processing.
(Edited article from International Mining, January 2018)
