PRIZED PRODUCT UHDMS processing technology enables increased resource use as low grade ores can be processed to produce high grade products
Coal and heavy minerals miner Exxaro has developed the capability to perform density characterisation and to process ores at densities of up to 5 g/cm3, says the company’s technical manager, Dr Thys Vermaak.
He points out that this sink-float technology is not available at standard commercial test laboratories and that the ultrahigh dense-medium separation (UHDMS) processing technology has enabled Exxaro to quantify the potential value of low-grade ore resources, which could not be accurately characterised before.
“This enables efficient process design to upgrade the material to acceptable product grades,” Vermaak explains.
He asserts that the “breakthrough” UHDMS processing technology is superior to and outperforms any other existing density beneficiation technology.
The UHDMS processing technology can be applied to a range of applications, including highly variable ores requiring higher-density cut points than standard DMS designs, a high percentage of near-density material and the treatment of plant discard and historical waste, as well as the efficient upgrade of low-in-position ores of between 30% and 60% iron to the required specifications.
Vermaak says that UHDMS processing technology enables increased resource use as low-grade ores can be processed to produce high-grade products.
He points out that the technology can increase the life-of-mine and/or has the potential to increase production volumes.
“The overall improvement in the consistency of final product qualities and increased yields owing to increases in final product volume for the same run- of-mine enable mines to generate higher revenue per material ton mined,” Vermaak states.
He adds that the UHDMS processing technology provides for lower operating costs per ton of material mined as a result of the significant reductions in stripping ratios and requires a relatively low capital expenditure outlay by mining companies.
Vermaak was a presenter at engineered solutions provider ELB’s recent Technology Day, which was held in Johannesburg.