Metallurgical Engineering Technology and Construction (METC) was approached in 2017 to provide detailed engineering and equipment supply for the Mutoshi copper mine, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
METC director Steve Cathey states that having engaged with leading DRC copper mining houses, such as Chemaf, their understanding of the challenges being faced is advanced. As such, they had to transfer knowledge from previous projects to give clients the most optimal solution for their copper projects. Chemaf acquired the Mutoshi copper mine, located in Katanga province, in 2016. A year later, Chemaf approached METC and minerals processing technology provider Outotec for the detailed engineering and equipment supply for the mine.
Cathey points out that delivery of the project will be completed using METC’s and Outotec’s experience in metallurgical plant design, as well as Chemaf’s experience in copper and cobalt plant operation and optimisation. METC and Outotec collaborated to develop a 50 000 t/y copper cathode and a 16 000 t/y cobalt-in-hydroxide production plant for Chemaf, as part of Phase 1 of the project. The plant is currently under construction.
To achieve timeous delivery of the project and minimise design risks, the project delivery responsibilities have been shared among Outotec, METC and Chemaf’s process and construction team. He further adds that METC’s responsibilities pertain to all detailed engineering deliveries, including process flow diagrams, piping and instrumentation diagrams, plant layout design, as well as civil, mechanical and electrical designs.
Developing and updating the process mass balance and process design criteria, as well as reviewing the project’s deliveries from Outotec and METC, are also part of Chemaf’s responsibilities.
The project is expected to be completed in 2022.
