Uponor North America
5925 148th Street West
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Caso de estudio

Valuable metals leach efficiently from the enormous heap in Talvivaara, Sotkamo, Finland, Finland

Valuable metals leach efficiently from the enormous heap in Talvivaara

Talvivaara's mining project is transforming a coniferous swamp in the province of Kainuu, Finland. The nickel mine constructed in Sotkamo uses a leaching method that is unique in Europe and requires an enormous amount of durable pipe material for its structures.

Datos del proyecto

Sotkamo, Finland, Finland
Industrial buildings
Completion: 0

Participación de Uponor

-

The mine, which is located in the municipality of Sotkamo, Finland, guarantees a large amount of work, as well as valuable metals. Finland's largest nickel deposits were discovered there decades ago. The mine began operating commercially in 2009.

The method was developed by Talvivaara Project and is being used for the first time in these conditions. It has several benefits.

It separates nickel from low-concentration ores more profitably than traditional processes such as autoclave leaching. Nickel is separated from bedrock using bioleaching, a process in which valuable metals are dissolved from crushed rock using water and bacteria.

 

Low-grade ore is also suitable for this process

The ore from the open quarry in the middle of the forest contains nickel, zinc, copper and cobalt. However, the ore is low-grade – it has low concentrations of valuable metals.

The basic work phases of biological heap leaching – crushing, heaping and leaching – are relatively cheap. This enables work to be carried out on ores without high concentrations of valuable metal. "This method is used extensively in South America and also to some extent in Asia. The project is unique in the Nordic countries and I do not know of any comparable projects underway anywhere in Europe," says Lassi Lammassaari, Vice President of Mining Operations and Infrastructure at Talvivaara Project.

Looking ahead, the greatest uncertainty factor is the effect of Arctic conditions on the process. The Nordic climate affects planning. However, heap leaching is carried out in the mountains of Chile, up to four kilometres above sea level and at temperatures a few degrees below zero. "In the trial area, the heap has retained heat effectively. Even very low temperatures have not put a stop to the mining operations," Lammassaari says of the atmosphere ahead of the project.

 

The pipe supplier is also an expert

The environmentally friendly method requires an enormous pipe network in which liquids circulate while they leach metals. Uponor (formerly KWH Pipe) is welding collection pipes in the area. These will remain beneath the enormous heap and collect the solution, which is led back onto the top of the heap. During the process, valuable metals are separated from crushed rock and must be collected. Understanding the new leaching method and the process as a whole requires continuous expertise and technical competence. Talvivaara's personnel have trusted in the expertise of Uponor (KWH Pipe) since the very beginning. "The number of pipes required for the process is so large that I thought I had put the decimal point in the wrong place the first time I did the calculations," says Uponor's (KWH Pipe) sales manager.

The method that has now been developed may interest operators in the mining sector elsewhere in the world.

According to Lassi Lammassaari, there are strict requirements for the materials used on the site. "The quality requirements for pipes are very strict because the pipes are used to transport corrosive solutions. We decided to use polyethylene plastic, which can withstand acids well. In practice, we will need several thousand kilometres of pipe material," he estimates. As this is a groundbreaking project, the partner network has also been subject to stringent requirements. Expertise has played a role in selecting partners. "Uponor's experts have made a major contribution to the initial phase of the project," says Lammassaari. He notes that the company was ultimately selected as the main supplier of plastic pipes following a competitive tendering process.

 

Painstakingly accurate work

Actual heaping of crushed rock began in Talvivaara in July 2008. Mining activities will continue for at least 25 years. The heap of crush rock will be enormous. The flat-topped heap will measure 800 metres along two of its sides and 2,400 metres along the other two sides. When it is complete, it will contain 22.5 million tons of crushed ore. The massive project requires real quality in all of the materials. Straight pipes, pipe parts and drains are going to the work site. There are also new welding machines on the site to ensure that the work will be independent of other projects. The leaching system will incorporate an incredible number of Weholite pipes, large drains and other materials. A large proportion of the pipes will be of sturdy sizes – the largest are 1,200 mm. Special care will be taken for the installations beneath the heap. The high-quality materials will be subject to special monitoring throughout the entire processing period, from loading at the factory in Vaasa to welding on-site. "Come rain or shine, every phase will be completed with painstaking precision."

Excavation contractors are responsible for correctly sealing the installation grate and for any required layers of earth. Uponor's installation team has been working in the area since mid-August. There are two men on-site, along with their foremen. Preparations have also been made to increase installation capacity if the need arises.

Valuable metals leach efficiently from the enormous heap in Talvivaara

talvivaara_sotkamo1

Información del proyecto

Información del proyecto

Country
Finland
Completion
0
Project Type
New building
Building Type
Industrial buildings

Similar projects

Manitoba Hydro Place

Manitoba Hydro Place

Descubra cómo las tuberías hePEX de Uponor se usan para calefaccionar un edificio de 18 pisos en un lugar donde las temperaturas pueden descender por debajo de los 0 °F...
Northstar Railway

Northstar Railway

Descubra de qué manera el andén del tren de cercanías Northstar se hizo más seguro con el sistema de derretir nieve de Uponor. Para combatir el hielo del invierno es necesario...
Edificio anexo de Uponor

Edificio anexo de Uponor

Descubra cómo nuestro compromiso con la fabricación optimizada, la eficiencia energética y un entorno laboral superior se ve reflejado en nuestra nueva...
Plastic pipe withstands mill’s process water

Plastic pipe withstands mill’s process water

Stora Enso’s Imatra mill, located in southeast Finland, annually produces one million tonnes of packaging paper and board. The Imatra mill’s two production units produce raw materials for cartons, in which juice and milk are packaged. Board is also used to produce paper cups, as well as cigarette and candy packages. Board for the graphics industry is used to produce cards, covers and luxury packages.
Leica Camera AG Headquarters

Leica Camera AG Headquarters

The company headquarters of Leica Camera AG features a unique architectural design – controls temperatures with solutions from Uponor and Zent-Frenger.

 
Bangkok Airport

Bangkok Airport

An Uponor panel cooling system will cool Bangkok's new international airport in combination with a displacement ventilation system.
Chatterley Valley

Chatterley Valley

The world's first BREEAM outstanding rated logistics building has been equipped with industrial floor heating from Velta UK.
Regional Perinatal Center

Regional Perinatal Center

National Project "New Life - New Quality of Maternity and Childhood " implements the State Agency for Investment and National Projects . The project is implemented on the initiative of the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych and implemented by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine , National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine , local government and the All-Ukrainian Charitable Organization " Victor Pinchuk Foundation - a social initiative ." He planned to create a national network of perinatal centers of medical institutions III level . Advanced equipment , high level of medical training doctors Obstetricians and neonatologists can significantly reduce maternal , infant mortality and disability.
eMAG Warehouse

eMAG Warehouse

The largest online retailer in Romania has built two logistics warehouses totaling 250,000 m² in Joita commune, Giurgiu county. Each of them came with its own architecture, specific needs and constant activity in the interior space.