US-based specialty cleantech company Itronics has completed installation of a new glass slag crusher in its silver refinery and started operations.
In addition, a screening machine has been installed in the same area and will be used to size the crushed glass to meet specifications of the copper smelter.
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Making use of the same amount of space as the replaced crusher, the new unit will help improve crushing capacity.
During operation, dust emissions can be curbed with a filter system available with each machine.
According to the company, the latest development completes the silver refinery upgrade and provides the capacity needed to meet requirements of refinery glass slag processing.
Serving as a flux for copper smelting, the glass slag is produced by the refinery and comprises minute amounts of silver, which can be recovered by a copper smelter.
Itronics president Dr John Whitney said: "The addition of silver bearing glass slag sales provides a third revenue stream for the company.
"The company will now be generating sales from Gold’n Gro fertilisers, silver bullion, and silver bearing glass. The addition of the new silver revenue streams will increase sales in coming years."
Itronics shipped the first silver bullion produced by its new refining furnace technology in October, which enabled it to increase energy savings from 34% to 44%.
