Extractive Metallurgy

Research and Development activities to develop and standardise extraction processes for large scale production has been undertaken by National Metallurgical Labotary (NML), Jamshedpur, Regional Research Laboratory (RRL), Bhubaneshwar and Hindustan Zinc Limited, Udaipur. Technology for process routes developed by NML, Jamshedpur and RRL, Bhubaneshwar will be used to develop pilot plants. To test the reliability of the system pilot plant campaigning is being carried out. Evaluation of test results and monitoring of the R&D activities are being done by Engineers India Limited, New Delhi. Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL), Udaipur, experimenting with different bleed volumes to optimise the acid consumption and cobalt concentration in the pregnant liquor. A scheme for lock cycle leaching has been developed. The activities are periodically monitored by Polymetallic Nodules Board , a Steering Group constituted by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, consisting of experts and senior officials of Government of India. After the completion of R&D phase, activities for semi-industrial trial phase will be started. Detailed engineering, procurement, installation and commissioning of the system will be undertaken in the coming years.