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 Who Are We

Xstrata Technology Services provides proprietary technologies and specialist services in the areas of mining, mineral processing and metals extraction to major mining companies worldwide and to Xstrata’s own operations to improve efficiency  and reduce operating costs. It comprises:

Xstrata Technology, a specialist technology solutions provider which supplies global mining and metals companies and Xstrata’s own operations with mining minerals and metal processing and extraction technologies to improve efficiency and environmental performance.

Xstrata Process Support provides highly specialised technological support both to Xstrata’s operations and third-party customers, including in areas such as orebody characterisation, extractive metallurgy, materials testing and process control optimisation.

 

 Where Are We
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Xstrata Technology

Xstrata Technology website: www.xstratatechnology.com

In 2009, the global downturn impacted demand for Xstrata Technology products and services as capital constraints resulted in delayed or cancelled projects. However, work continued during the year on several previously awarded projects and interest in Xstrata Technology’s products improved in the second half of the year.

Interest continued to grow strongly in the Albion Process, a low-cost, simple atmospheric leach process to recover metals from refractory ores. Several plants using the Albion Process are currently under construction, including a refractory gold plant in the Dominican Republic that will be commissioned in 2010.

There was a year-on-year reduction in new orders for IsaMill™ Technology, a revolutionary grinding technology that significantly increases the efficiency of mineral grinding and processing. Nonetheless, work continued with existing orders, including a major installation programme for Anglo Platinum in both coarse grinding and regrinding and commissioning of two large mills for Goldcorp in Mexico, with a further two to be commissioned in 2010. A new design of copper circuit featuring IsaMill and Jameson Cell technology was successfully commissioned at Prominent Hill in Australia, enabling the production of export quality concentrate. Pilot scale trials around the world continue to demonstrate that the IsaMill grinds more efficiently than conventional technology and results in improvements in yield.

Work continued on two new lead and copper installations using the ISASMELT™ smelting technology at the Kazzinc smelting complex in Kazakhstan, where the copper and lead furnaces are scheduled for commissioning in 2010 and 2011 respectively. During 2009, repeat orders for the ISASMELT™ technology were received from Yunnan Metallurgical Group (YMG) in China and Sterlite (a Vedanta subsidiary) in India.

New orders were received during 2009 for the Jameson Cell, a high intensity flotation technology which provides more efficient and reliable flotation circuits. New installations were successfully implemented at the Prominent Hill copper operation and Cosmos nickel mine.

The copper refining technologies of the Tankhouse Group experienced another strong year, albeit at a reduced level compared to 2008. New orders were received from Africa, South America, India and China, for both new installations and replacement cathode and machine spares.

Xstrata Process Support

Xstrata Process Support website: www.myxps.ca

Xstrata Process Support provides expert technical services to the minerals sector through four separate specialist departments – Extractive Metallurgy, Process Mineralogy, Materials Technology and Process Control. External customers accounted for 25% of total revenue in 2009.

Process Mineralogy is a mineral processing and mineral science group that utilises quantitative mineralogy, sampling, statistics and ore beneficiation test work to improve concentrate grade and maximise metal recoveries for new mine projects and existing operations. During 2009, Process Mineralogy provided services to Xstrata Nickel, Xstrata Copper and Xstrata Zinc in Canada and has ongoing demand from PGM operations, including Xstrata Alloys’ Eland. Demand from external companies slowed in the second half of 2009, but has begun to recover in early 2010.

The Extractive Metallurgy business, which provides expert pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical services to smelters and refineries, continued to see demand for process modelling expertise on roasters and smelters from both internal and external clients. This engineering service combined with laboratory testing and piloting facilities is used to optimise process design and support environmental compliance projects.

The highly experienced engineers that make up Process Control, delivered numerous improvements to the concentrators at Xstrata Alloys Eland mine in South Africa, Xstrata Nickel’s Raglan and Strathcona sites in Canada and at Xstrata Copper’s Kidd operation, also in Canada. At Xstrata Nickel’s Nickel Rim South mine and Fraser project, Process Control is contributing to improved automation and control, particularly for energy savings in the ventilation systems.

During the year, the Materials Technology business completed planned inspections, aimed at minimising unexpected shutdowns to a number of smelter acid plants, two of which were for external customers. Services were provided to Xstrata’s copper and zinc businesses to implement risk-based inspection programmes and select construction materials and to resolve corrosion issues.