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ALBION PROCESS FOR TREATMENT OFREFRACTORY ORES

Duncan Turner (Core Resources)

Mike Hourn (Xstrata Technology)

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Presentation Topics• Overview of Albion Process• Fine Grinding - IsaMill• Sulphide Oxidation - Albion Process• Commercial Plant - Flowsheet & Equipment• Capital & Operating Costs• Project Updates• Project Development Program

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Albion Process Overview

Albion Process Overview

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• Combination of Fine Grinding and Atmospheric Oxidative Leachingto breakdown sulphide minerals (e.g. pyrite) to make refractory goldavailable for cyanide leaching

Stirred MillsFeed P80 ~75 µm

Product P80 10-12 µm

Atmospheric PressureTemperature ~95oC

Oxygen Injection~20-30 hours

Albion Process Overview

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• Leaching of sulphides minerals often yield by-products and precipitates thatpassivate or blind the mineral surface as the minerals dissolve.

• Passivation normally complete when precipitate layer is 2-3 µm thick.

• The combination of fine grinding and Albion Process leach conditions overcomespassivation of mineral surfaces by precipitates allowing sulphide oxidation tocontinue to the desired extent

Unleached 9 micronparticle

LeachedParticle with over 96 % volume

dissolution

Temperature and pH regime ofNeutral Albion Process leachresults in low density precipitatesthat passivate slowly

Mineral particle size of P80 8-12 µmprevents passivation

Albion Process Overview

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• Developed in 1994 originally by MIM Holding Limited

Albion Process Overview

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• MIM Holding focused on own projects with Albion Process a strategic technologyto their gold business and project acquisition opportunities/targets

• 2004 - Xstrata PLC bought MIM Holdings with Xstrata more involved in basemetal projects

• 2005 - Albion Process launched by Xstrata Technology with the technology thenavailable outside of Xstrata Group

• 2005 - Core Resources became global marketing agent for Albion Process

• Late 2005 - first licence issued for Las Lagunas Project

• Late 2006 - second licence issued for Certej Project

Albion Process Overview

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• Process is patented worldwide Australian Patent No. 700850 (Acid Albion Process) Australian Patent No. 744356 (Neutral Albion Process)

• Two licenses issued• One plant under construction to be commissioned early 2011• Other projects in advanced stages of testing and engineering

Las Lagunas ProjectDominican Republic

Albion Process Overview

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• Xstrata Technology are the technology providers for Albion Processequipment Albion Process Reactor including design and supply of mechanically

agitated modular and field erected tanks Oxygen injection technology (HyperSparge) Process control, instrumentation and automation

• Suppliers of other technologies:

• Located in Brisbane, Australia• www.xstratatech.com

Albion Process Overview

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• Core Resources Pty Ltd - global marketing agents• Testwork conducted at hrltesting (Brisbane, only accredited lab)

www.coreresources.com.au

www.albionprocess.com www.hrltesting.com