New production plant and less carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. In San Gavino, in the Medio Campidano, the Portovesme foundry, a company controlled by Glencore, which produces lead, zinc, gold, silver, sulfuric acid and copper in Sardinia, makes the green turning point. The company, a point of reference in the national scenario for the production of non-ferrous metals, has activated a new plant for the production of silver that will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the air by 1,200 tons a year.
«The investment to carry out the transformation, which follows the program started some time ago, was 600 thousand euros – says Davide Garofalo, CEO of the group -. This is a new oven, built by local companies that will completely replace the two that worked until some time ago ». There are two positive aspects related to the intervention. «In the meantime, we move from two ovens fueled by fuel oil to one fueled by propane air and then LPG – says the managing director – and it is compatible with the possible use of methane. All this by optimizing production by minimizing waste to be sent to landfills ». A not insignificant fact, as the manager explains since “this plant will allow us to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide by 1,200 tons per year”. Not only that, there is also another aspect that concerns the production. Because in the San Gavino foundry the production of silver is also carried out, which takes place from the treatment of lead and zinc processing residues. Specifically, from the refining of 55 thousand tons of lead at a temperature of about 1,050 degrees, over 200 tons of silver are obtained. A ton of gold will then be obtained from further refining.
Loading…
“The expected production is 200 tons of silver per year – says the administrator -, with this plant we can even reach 350 tons”.
Important numbers for the company which, between the two plants, employs more than 1,400 people and produces an average of 160 thousand tons of zinc every year (compared to a national request of 350 thousand tons) 80 thousand of lead “a part of which goes to power the national and international market for batteries “, three thousand of copper, one of gold. And two hundred tons of silver. The so-called “precious” that are obtained from further processing of the galena from which lead is obtained.
“With this investment, a contribution has also been made to the local economy – says Enrico Collu, director of personnel – because the design and construction of the plant have been entrusted to local companies”. Not only. There is also another aspect that looks at sustainability: «With this kiln, which has a Glencore patent, using the most modern technology for refining silver, the circular economy is closed. Because production is maximized by minimizing the formation of waste and energy consumption, and consequently there are fewer emissions ».