Ausenco's PETS Project Performing at Pasminco Port Pirie Smelter.
2 July, 2002
Project facts:
- EPCM contract
- Project value $15 million
- Heavy metals in wastewater significantly reduced by up to 99%
- Commissioned February 2002
Ausenco Limited specialises in the provision of engineering and project services to the mining and minerals processing industry, and has completed mining project developments in every state of Australia and in 18 countries throughout the world.
Pasminco Port Pirie Smelter (PPPS) is a large lead, silver and zinc producer located in Port Pirie South Australia, and has been in operation since 1917. Pasminco has been engaged in a 5-Stage wastewater management plan since 1991 in order to improve the surrounding environment of the Spencer Gulf, and to comply with new South Australian Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) legislation.
The Process Effluent Treatment System (PETS) represents stage 4 of the 5 Stages, and is the lynchpin of the overall wastewater management plan. Its primary aim is to reduce the levels of heavy metals in liquid discharge from the plant to comply with EPA requirements. This has resulted in an improvement in the natural environment surrounding the Smelter, which includes mangroves and associated abundant bird and marine life.
The treatment process involves lime neutralisation of the incoming effluent followed by treatment with sodium sulphide and ferric chloride to precipitate the contained metals, including cadmium, lead and zinc. The slurry is thickened and filtered with the solids being returned to the smelter for re-processing. The treated water is then tested to ensure compliance with the license conditions laid down by the South Australian EPA - some of the toughest EPA standards in the world - and discharged from the plant.
The process flowsheet incorporates innovative engineering technology which was developed to achieve low levels of metals in solution while simultaneously eliminating the need for landfill of precipitate.
Ausenco completed the $15 million PETS Project under budget and ahead of schedule, and delivered the Project on an EPCM basis following testwork performed jointly with Pasminco. This included detailed design, engineering, procurement, project management and construction management. The project was jointly commissioned in February 2002 by Pasminco and Ausenco.
The PETS Project has resulted in the following significantly reduced levels of heavy metals from the Smelter:
- A reduction in Cadmium levels of 98%
- A reduction in Lead levels of 99%
- A reduction in Zinc levels of 99%
Ausenco and Pasminco Port Pirie Smelter worked together on the PETS project to help solve environmental issues with the wastewater at the Port Pirie Smelter. The project is proving to be a great success, as everyone in the Port Pirie township benefits from improvements in the surrounding natural environment.
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