The Intec Copper demonstration plant was constructed and operated during 1998 and 1999 at a total project cost of US$10 million. The demonstration plant had a capacity of 350 tpa of copper and was located at St. Peters in suburban Sydney. The plant treated a blend of copper sulphide concentrates from Cobar, Neves Corves and Northparkes.

The demonstration plant produced 190 tonnes of copper metal and operated over an 8 month period, including continuous operation for 130 days. As a result of demonstration plant operations:

• a thorough understanding of process chemistry and process control was achieved;
• materials of construction for a commercial plant were specified;
• the environmental acceptability of residue for disposal to landfill was demonstrated; and
• marketable copper product was produced and sold to a domestic copper fabricator.