Mining Weekly

Mines and mineral processing companies constantly have to find new ways of obtaining valuable metals from nearly depleted orebodies, while also dealing with challenges such as reducing project costs and adhering to strict environmental regulations.

Consulting and process development company Hatch states that, in this environment, it uses its metallurgical and simulation expertise to assist companies in conducting continual testing and optimising their assets to remain profitable.

Hatch says it is able to identify and test prospective solutions to solve problems more effectively and in less time.

Through the use of simulations, ideas are evaluated at no risk to the plant, employees, or a client’s bottom line, Hatch says.

The company explains that, using data-driven computer technologies, process simulation can explore and test new solutions in a safe, simulated environment, enabling the client to test various potential solutions to find the most cost-effective and efficient one for implementation.

The Hatch metallurgical process simulation team uses cross- platform processes that integrate thermodynamic and logistics simulations, heat and mass balances, and kinetics and transport phenomena into designs.

The company’s expertise includes specialised simulation platforms such as ANSYS, Metsim, IDEAS, FactSage, HSC Chemistry, OLI, Arena and SysCAD.

Hatch’s ore extraction and refining processes lead to improved safety records and increased profitability for client operations, the company states.

For example, for a project in Canada, Arena modelling identified areas of a greenfield process plant that had excess production capacity. Equipment capacities and design factors were adjusted and tested in a simulated environment so that yearly production rates could be met with reduced equipment sizes, resulting in savings for the client.

Hatch is a multidisciplinary professional services firm that delivers an array of technical and strategic services, including consulting, information technology, engineering, process development, and project and construction management to the mining, metallurgical, energy and infrastructure sectors.

Hatch is able to bridge the gaps between research and innovative technologies, and between engineering and reliable operations. It typically works with the client to develop business strategies, manage and optimise production, execute projects that involve the scale-up of process technologies, and manage start-ups, commissioning and ramp-ups.

The company delivers results for clients through a commitment to quality, lower operating costs, more efficient use of capital assets, higher standards for safety and risk management, faster start-ups and continuous performance improvements in all projects and programmes.

The company has served clients for more than six decades, with its corporate roots extending over 100 years, and has project experience in more than 150 countries around the world. With over 10 000 people in over 65 offices, it has more than $35-billion in projects currently under management.