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Recovery of zinc and lead ores from post-flotation waste in ZGH Bolesław, Poland

GreenCircular economy
By project SYMBI
Publication Published on 28 February 2019
Location
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Poland
Małopolskie
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.

About this good practice

The primary objective of ZGH Bolesław is to maximize the use of waste from its own production lines at all stages of production to recover zinc and associated metals. In the Olkusz mine the content of zinc and lead in the ore is approx. 5%. Due to the installation, designed by the company, it is effectively possible to recover zinc and lead in the form of zinc sulphide concentrates from wastes accumulated at zinc mines. This installation for post-flotation waste treatment consists of two parts. The first one is located at an altitude of 30 meters, at the top of a post-mining heap. There, the screening machine works, from which the material is transported to the correct part of the installation where the waste is processed. The material that is transported from the settling pond is subjected to classification here. Coarse grains, which are not directly suited to the flotation process, are directed to the ball mill in which the grinding process takes place.
In the Olkusz mine, after mechanical processing, the ore is converted into concentrates which are sent to the smelters, but almost 60% of total material are flotation tailings (combination of water with crushed rock) that are later transported to the tailing ponds - a waste facility.

Expert opinion

The recovery of zinc and lead from post-flotation waste at ZGH Bolesław is an essential part of optimizing mining operations, enhancing resource efficiency, and reducing environmental harm. Various methods, including gravity separation, flotation reprocessing, hydrometallurgical techniques, and bioleaching, are employed to recover valuable metals from flotation tailings. These processes not only improve the economic viability of mining operations but also contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly mining industry. As the mining sector increasingly embraces circular economy principles, in line with the European legislation, the effective recovery and reuse of metal-rich tailings will become a key focus for companies like ZGH Bolesław.

Resources needed

This process is possible thanks to the technology that has been developed and patented by the company. Preparation took two years and cost PLN 58 million. It’s estimated that payback period for this investment will be 4 years.

Evidence of success

It is assumed that the installation that allows the recovery of zinc and lead ores from post-flotation waste in ZGH Bolesław, will ultimately process 2 million tons of waste per year. Up to 20,000 tons of zinc concentrates will be generated from this amount. Over the next 15 years it will account for approx. 15 percent of input in the zinc production. One of the result of this solution is also a longer lifetime of ZGH Bolesław, which have impact of maintaining work place in the region.

Potential for learning or transfer

The case of industrial symbioses in ZGH Boleslaw S.A. could be a good example of approach in solving the problems of depletion of natural resources. It’s about the solution to reuse the waste produced in mining sector as this kind of waste one could find in many other places. This approach should be considered in the situation of the mine closure because of the exhausted deposits. The policymakers are committed to promote all solutions dealing with reusing natural resources that are limited in many regions.

Further information

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Good practice owner

You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.

Organisation
Organisation

Marshal Office of the Malopolska region

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Poland
Małopolskie
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Circular economy