Again with High Pressure Acid Leaching of laterite nickel (not Pressure Oxidation treatment of gold sulfides) but you get the idea of commissioning issues with complex ore treatment plants- AFR November 12 1999 ...
"Forrest willingly acknowledges his optimism and enthusiasm. Some investors, however, might find it hard to understand. Consider these remarks. On November 24 last year, Forrest said, in response to a critical report on the nickel projects published by Deutsche Bank, that "as far as we're concerned, we're meeting all our targets. The commissioning period is being carried out with military precision. Our operators have been well trained so we're prepared for anything that goes wrong."
They were not prepared. The full extent of technical problems is yet to be revealed, but in a report issued last month, the stockbroking firm CIBC said corrosion rates in the highly acidic environment had been far higher than expected, many parts had to be replaced, including "over 400 valves and most of the pipe and tank linings throughout the plant".
Uncertainty about the technical problems has continued throughout this year. In February, talk started about commissioning problems at Murrin Murrin, particularly with a critical piece of equipment, the autoclaves in which ore is digested in a slurry of sulphuric acid."
DEG Price at posting:
76.5¢ Sentiment: Hold Disclosure: Not Held
(20min delay)