Environmental impact is also claimed[2] to be mitigated using this technology because in contrast to other methods, sulfur dioxide is not emitted and less energy is consumed over all.
Development of the Albion process started during the early nineties led by Mount Isa Mines.
[3] Several pilot plant projects were conducted in 1994 and 1995 which tested the feasibility of using the technology to process high arsenic gold and copper ore.[3] The Albion Process has been successfully installed in seven projects globally: The ore concentrate is first introduced into an IsaMill.
The rate of leaching is also enhanced, due to the increase in the mineral surface area.
The oxidative leaching stage is carried out in agitated tanks operating at atmospheric pressure.
Temperature is controlled by the rate of addition of oxygen, and by the leach slurry density.