Cominco's New Lead Smelter at Trail Operations

Cominco Limited operates an integrated zinc-lead complex at Trail, British Columbia, Canada. Central to the successful operation of this complex is the treatment of zinc leach residues through the lead smelter. In 1997, Cominco started up a new lead smelter using KTVCET flash smelting, a state-of-the-art conventional slag fuming furnace, and a new drossing plant. The smelter has fully met the requirements for environmental performance, reduced energy consumption, and lowered labour costs. This paper provides a description of the new smelter and discusses the problems encountered during the start-up, as well as the solutions to those problems. Recent operating results are presented. Lead-Zinc