Collaborative Consortium for Coarse Particle Processing Research

As the demand for copper and other base metal production continues to increase, so too does the pressure on mining operations to become more water and energy efficient.

The Collaborative Consortium for Coarse Particle Processing Research (CPR) was initiated by the Sustainable Minerals Institute’s Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC) to tackle the multidisciplinary aspects of coarse particle processing such as flotation, comminution, classification, and equipment design and process chemistry.

The processing of coarse particles is considered one of the key research areas for developing improved energy efficiency of mineral processing operations.

Aims

The Consortium aims to develop improved energy efficiency for mineral processing operations. It will run initially for 5 years and tackle multidisciplinary aspects of coarse particle processing such as flotation, comminution, classification, and equipment design and process chemistry.

We also aim to contribute towards global challenges such as the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation of human-made climate change.

Objectives

Our aim is to develop practical and applied solutions for achieving the following objectives:

Maximise recovery of coarse particles
Predict the recovery of coarse particles, including coarse particle flotation ore characterisation
Optimise circuit configuration
Evaluate the technical and economic advantages of the HydroFloat® technology
Scale-Up the HydroFloat® technology

Committee members

Eric Bain Wasmund, Vice President
Global Flotation Business – Eriez Flotation Division

Jaisen Kohmuench, Vice President International
Eriez

Ronel Kappes, Director Processing
Newmont Goldcorp Corporation

John Cole, Process Manager
Newmont Mining Corporation

Virginia Lawson – General Manager – Metallurgical Processing – Copper Assets
Glencore Copper

Development of a semi-empirical model of the HydroFloat® cell

Project Leader: Associate Professor Kym Runge

Teeter bed flotation waste rejection circuit options

Project Leader: Professor Mohsen Yahyaei

An experimental study of the hydrodynamics of the HydroFloat® cell

Project Leader: Dr Angus Morrison

Refinement of a semi-empirical model of the HydroFloat® cell

Project leader: Associate Professor Kym Runge

Small scale test development

Project leader: Lizette Verster

Improving coarse particle recovery in conventional cells

Project leader: Associate Professor Kym Runge

Full scale testing of froth mesh

Project leader: Dr Angus Morrison

Key chemistry drivers for HydroFloat® flotation performance

Project leader: Associate Professor Liza Forbes

An assessment of the unse of the Loesche Vertical Roller Mill for HydroFloat® feed preparation

Project leader: Dr Vladimir Jokovic

Collaborative Consortium for Coarse Particle Processing Research

Aims

Objectives

Program Chair

Technical Directors

Administration team

Researchers

HDR Students