Economic feasibility of the co-production of indium from zinc sulphide using bioleaching extraction in Germany

Bioleaching has been a well-established technique for the extraction of various metals since the 1990s. In particular, leaching in continuously stirred tank reactors (CSTR) facilitates the rapid and environmentally friendly extraction of different metals. This work investigates the economic feasibil...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hydrometallurgy 2021-03, Vol.200, p.105566, Article 105566
Main Authors: Irrgang, Nico, Monneron-Enaud, Benjamin, Möckel, Robert, Schlömann, Michael, Höck, Michael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bioleaching
CSTR
Economic feasibility
Indium
Zinc
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Summary:Bioleaching has been a well-established technique for the extraction of various metals since the 1990s. In particular, leaching in continuously stirred tank reactors (CSTR) facilitates the rapid and environmentally friendly extraction of different metals. This work investigates the economic feasibility of this technology when carried out using a suitable process and sulphide concentrate from a mining operation in the Erzgebirge region of Germany. The process is based on assumptions and tests are pending. The focus is on recovering zinc, copper and, in particular, indium from zinc sulphide. Based on the defined process characteristics of the bioleaching step as well as down- and upstream processes, investment costs and operating costs of the necessary plant structure were determined. After determining the potential profits based on given metal concentrations and current market prices of zinc, copper and indium, a net present value (NPV) and the corresponding internal rate of return (IRR) were calculated to ensure comparability with other investments. Both values are positive, showing that an investment in the proposed bioleaching plant pays off even with low process volumes. •Feasibility study of a bioleaching process for coproduction of zinc, copper and indium shows its theoretical economic value.•Process definition based on experiments with chalcopyrite and sphalerite from literature•Process data and plant design is based on real case Germany.•Calculation of NPV and IRR ensure comparability to other investments.•Positive results show that production pays off even with low process volumes.
ISSN:0304-386X
1879-1158
DOI:10.1016/j.hydromet.2021.105566