Kolwezi Cobalt Electrowinning Tankhouse
A tankhouse superstructure and crane gantry over cobalt electrowinning cells — the most chemically aggressive interior environment in African metals processing.
Project data
- Client
- Katanga Mineral Refining
- Location
- Kolwezi, Lualaba, DRC
- Year completed
- 2025
- Tonnage
- 2 200 t
- Environment
- ISO 12944 C5-I sulphuric acid mist
- Steel grade
- S355J2+N
- Coating
- Vinyl ester over zinc-rich, 500 µm DFT
- Crane
- 2 × 25 t stripping machines
- Corridor
- 3 100 km via Kasumbalesa
Electrowinning tankhouses run at 100 % relative humidity saturated with sulphuric acid aerosol. Standard C5-I epoxy systems in this service have been observed failing within seven years — well short of the asset life.
We moved to a vinyl-ester topcoat over a zinc-rich primer at 500 µm total DFT, applied under controlled conditions with hold-point inspection at every coat. Crane gantry girders were detailed with sealed box sections and no upward-facing horizontal surfaces, so acid condensate cannot pool anywhere on the structure.
The longest cross-border delivery in our portfolio — 3 100 km through two borders — landed complete, on sequence, with no consignment held longer than 48 hours at any checkpoint.
Engineering highlights
- ▹500 µm vinyl-ester over zinc-rich coating system
- ▹Detailed with no upward-facing surfaces for acid condensate
- ▹3 100 km corridor with no checkpoint hold beyond 48 hours
- ▹Hold-point inspection at every coat application
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