Mining Weekly

Minerals and metals process engineering company Tenova Bateman says its South Africa-based engineers have executed a feasibility study that examined the best way of adding a new flotation process to enable the enhancement of the design and functionality of a phosphorus plant in Limpopo, using AutoCAD Plant three-dimensional (3D), AutoCaD P&ID and Autodesk Navisworks software.

The company states that the feasibility study of the new flotation process, which extracts phosphates for use in fertilisers, was Bateman’s first AutoCAD Plant 3D model-based project.

The flotation process was integrated into the existing facility and aimed to enhance and expand the phosphate plant.

“Often, these types of early-stage studies consist only of very high-level process designs and facility sketches. They tend to be lacking in detail and much of the initial work cannot be heavily leveraged in the later stages of the project. Tenova Bateman decided to use the new AutoCAD Plant 3D software to take a different approach, and produce different results,” elaborates the company.

Using the AutoCAD Plant 3D, AutoCAD P&ID, and Autodesk Navisworks software, Tenova Bateman was able to, in two days, incorporate 3D process models and more intelligent P&ID data into its design process, generate material lists and isometrics faster, identify and resolve clashes more easily, and gain a competitive advantage by sharing process models with clients.

Tenova Bateman and 3D technology manufacturer Autodesk are sponsors at this year’s Investing in African Mining Indaba, which will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from February 9 to 12. The companies will also be exhibiting their productions and participating in thought leadership presentations.