RE:refinery Dundee Sustainable Technologies
Glass Lock Process sequesters arsenic
The occurrence of arsenic bearing minerals is increasing in base and precious metal deposits. Materials with elevated arsenic contents are difficult to process without the associated environmental risks. Due to limited alternatives, the arsenic is volatilized or left in tailings exposed to lixiviation. Very few facilities in the world are capable of treating material containing high levels of arsenic.
DST's GlassLock ProcessTMis a patented process for the sequestration and stabilization of the arsenic often associated with copper, gold, silver or polymetallic deposits. In DST’s novel and cost-effective approach, the arsenic is incorporated into a highly stable and insoluble glass form that can contain up to 20% arsenic, while meeting or exceeding the requirements of the United Stated Environmental Agency’s (EPA) toxicity characterization leaching procedure (TCLP, Method 1311) and the Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure (“SPLP”).