LLC “Institute “Gipronikel”, Saint Petersburg, Russia:
L. B. Tsymbulov, Chief Researcher of Pyrometallurgy Laboratory, e-mail: lbcym@nikel.spb.su
A. B. Portov, Researcher of Pyrometallurgy Laboratory
I. V. Tereshchenko, Junior Researcher of Pyrometallurgy Laboratory
L. Sh. Tsemekhman, Head of Pyrometallurgy Laboratory

LLC “Baikal Mining Company”, Moscow, Russia:
D. A. Lapshin, Head of Department of Technical Management Designing

Udokan deposit, located in Chita Oblast (Russia). Development of this deposit will be started in the nearest future. Low Fe content in concentrate (3–4% (wt.)) with high silicon dioxide grade (35–45%) is the peculiarity of copper sulfide concentrates, obtained via ore concentration. Two pyrometallurgical processing methods are described in this work: smelting with obtaining of blister copper in two-zone Vanukov furnace; concentrate roasting in fluidized bed furnace with following cinder reduction smelting in direct current electric furnace. There are described the results of researches in laboratory and enhancedlaboratory scale. Comparative analysis of offered technological flowsheets was carried out, discussing their advantages and disadvantages. Various technological schemes, including two pyrometallurgical methods, are considered for Udokan concentrate processing: complete oxidizing concentrate roasting in fluidized bed furnaces; cinder smelting in direct current electric furnaces with obtaining of semi-blister copper, with further refining and obtaining of anode copper; concentrate smelting in Vanukov furnace with blister copper obtaining with further refining and obtaining of anode copper. This work had the following purposes: experimental verification of both technological schemes; calculation of basic technological indices, energy carrier and flux consumptions on the basis of obtained results; and comparative analysis of two processes with the choice of the most suitable one for industrial use.

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