2014-Sustainable Industrial Processing Summit
SIPS 2014 Volume 1: Mining
| Editors: | Kongoli F |
| Publisher: | Flogen Star OUTREACH |
| Publication Year: | 2014 |
| Pages: | 424 pages |
| ISBN: | 978-1-987820-03-4 |
| ISSN: | 2291-1227 (Metals and Materials Processing in a Clean Environment Series) |
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Base Metal Mining Process - Today and Tomorrow
Alex Jankovic1;1METSO, Pullenvale, Australia;
Type of Paper: Regular
Id Paper: 70
Topic: 1
Abstract:
In the face of increasing energy costs, limited water resources, more stringent legislative requirements, lower grade and more difficult to extract base metal deposits, the mining industry is searching for more sustainable technologies and practices. To address this need, Metso Process Technology and Innovation (PTI) is conducting a research and development project to investigate alternative technologies and practices in mining and minerals processing that reduce the usage of energy, water and carbon emissions.
The main objective is to propose more efficient mining and processing technologies with the target to reduce energy usage by >30% and greenhouse gas emissions by >50% compared to that achieved currently in the mining industry.
Key areas of interest were identified across mining and processing operations and grouped into the following interrelated work areas for investigation: High Intensity Select Blasting, In-Pit Crushing and Conveying, Pre-Concentration, Energy Efficient Comminution Circuits, Coarse Mineral Flotation and Water Recovery. Investigations have included review of industrial data, modelling, simulation, laboratory and pilot scale trials, and in some areas industrial scale trials will be commenced shortly.
This paper discusses the investigations and key findings for each of these project areas highlighting the possibilities for reducing energy, water usage and carbon emissions. A particular mining process may incorporate any combination of these possibilities, and requires tailored solutions based on a detailed understanding of the ore deposit, process and local conditions. Technologies exist today that can transform base metals mining into a sustainable industry of tomorrow.