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
Program Chair
Professor Rick Valenta
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Technical Directors
Associate Professor Kym Runge
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Associate Professor Liza Forbes
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Administration team
Andrea Gray
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Sherrie Palmer
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Tash Winters
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Researchers
Professor Mohsen Yahyaei
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Lizette Verster
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Dr Bellson Awatey
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Dr Unzile Yenial Arslan
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Dr Farhana Diba
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HDR Students
Hayla Miceli
Hayla Miceli's profile
Anna Skliar
Anna Skliar's profile
German Lastra Yanez
German Lastra Yanez's profile
Phase 2: 2025-2030
Full partnership participation to be announced soon.
Phase 1: 2020-2025
The program was financially supported by;
- Aeris Resources,
- Anglo American,
- Eriez Flotation Division,
- Glencore,
- Hudbay,
- Newcrest Mining,
- Newmont,
- Rio Tinto,
- UQ's strategic Complex Ore Bodies program (which later transformed into the "Resourcing Decarbonisation" program)
Phase 1: 2020-2025
Development of a Semi-Empirical Model of the HydroFloat® Cell
The objective of this project was to develop a semi-empirical model of the HydroFloat® flotation cell.
- Designing,constructing and commissioning a fully instrumented pilot plant rig capable of performing HydroFloat® experiments.
- Development of a procedure for measuring bubble size in theHydroFloat® pilot cell
- Deployment of the pilot rig to Newcrest’s (now Newmont’s) Cadia operation to measure performance in theHydroFloat® pilot cell, when processing deslimed scavenger tail, under a range of different conditions.
For more information, please contact project leader Associate Professor Kym Runge (k.runge@uq.edu.au).
Teeter-Bed Flotation Waste Rejection Circuit Options
This project aimed to develop a methodology for characterising ore breakage response, mineral deportment, and liberation to support the simulation of grinding circuits incorporating HydroFloat® technology
The scope of work of this project consisted of:
- Use of density separation to produce particle classes of similar mineral liberation for different sized particles ranging from +2.36mm to +300 micron
- Measure single particle breakage behaviour of these proxy liberation classes in Short Impact Load Cells (SILC) andRigidly-MountedRoll Mill (RMRM) devices
- Characterise progeny in terms of size, liberation and surface exposure using Xray tomography
- Demonstratethe application of these data in an integrated circuit simulation
For more information, please contact project leader Professor Mohsen Yahyaei (m.yahyaei@uq.edu.au).
An Experimental Study of the Hydrodynamics Inside a Fluidised Bed Flotation Cell
The aim of this project was to develop a detailed understanding of the hydrodynamic behaviour of fluidised bed flotation cells under varying particle size distributions, densities, and operating conditions, and to link this behaviour to flotation performance. Specifically, the project sought to:
- Quantify hydrodynamic behaviour (bed expansion and porosity) under two- and three-phase conditions, using both synthetic materials (silica and hematite) and real copper ore (El Soldado).
- Measure flotation outcomes across a controlled range of particle sizes, water rates, and air rates, in order to identify how hydrodynamics influence metallurgical performance.
- Develop and validate CFD models of the laboratory-scale cells, using them to mechanistically explain observed fluidisation and flotation behaviour and provide predictive capacity for scale-up.
Project Leader: Dr Bellson Awatey
An Experimental Study of the Hydrodynamics Inside a Fluidised Bed Flotation Cell
The aim of this project was to develop a detailed understanding of the hydrodynamic behaviour of fluidised bed flotation cells under varying particle size distributions, densities, and operating conditions, and to link this behaviour to flotation performance. Specifically, the project sought to:
- Quantify hydrodynamic behaviour (bed expansion and porosity) under two- and three-phase conditions, using both synthetic materials (silica and hematite) and real copper ore (El Soldado).
- Measure flotation outcomes across a controlled range of particle sizes, water rates, and air rates, in order to identify how hydrodynamics influence metallurgical performance.
- Develop and validate CFD models of the laboratory-scale cells, using them to mechanistically explain observed fluidisation and flotation behaviour and provide predictive capacity for scale-up.
Project Leader: Dr Bellson Awatey
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
Contact us
Get in touch to learn more about the CPR Consortium.
Current Program Director
Associate Professor Liza Forbes
Principal Research Fellow,
Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre