Process Mineralogy '10- day 2

Back to work with a vengeance today, with 18 papers presented, starting with the 2nd keynote, delivered by Dr. Norm Lotter, of Xstrata Process Support, Canada, and this year's CIM Distinguished Lecturer.

Following on from Robert Schouwstra's keynote of yesterday, Norm discussed how several related disciplines have integrated over the last twenty five years into the modern hybrid of Process Mineralogy to produce a new level of capability in flowsheeting for concentrator design and retrofit for optimal performance. These are: sampling and statistics, geology, mineralogy, and mineral processing.

As new mine projects that either replace worked-out tonnages of older mines for current operations, or new mine projects that consider first-time start-up, the question of viability is challenged evermore by lower-grade, and more complex, orebodies to be treated.

The modern hybrid Process Mineralogy is capable of producing flowsheeting solutions that add to paymetal recovery and concentrate quality, bringing significant value to these projects and – in some cases – turning unviable projects into viable.

Dr. Lotter reviewed how these associated disciplines work together to synergise the project work.

With Dee Bradshaw, Norm Lotter and Megan Becker

Norm is one of 3 MEI consultants at the conference. He advises us on the Nickel Processing series, the next conference scheduled for Cape Town in November 2012.

Prof. Dee Bradshaw, of Australia's JKMRC, is presenting work here, and is one of out Flotation series consultants.

Dr. Megan Becker has agreed to consult on the next Process Mineralogy conference, in Cape Town again in November 2012.