Comminution '16 Final Call for Abstracts

With mining companies having to tighten their belts in these hard times, the importance of optimising comminution, the most energy intensive operation in mineral processing, becomes ever more important.

Comminution '16, which will be held in Cape Town in April is the 10th in MEI's conference series, which have continued to grow, Comminution '14 attracting 226 delegates from 27 countries (see full report and pictures, and comments from delegates, in posting of 23 April 2014).

Reflecting the need to reduce energy and increase the efficiency of comminution, we now have the backing of the Coalition for Eco-Efficient Comminution (CEEC) as Industry Advocate, and already 16 companies are providing major corporate support to what we are sure will be another opportunity for experts from around the world to discuss new ideas and common problems.

For the first time we will be inviting plant operators to submit short abstracts and to take part in a session devoted to short presentations describing how innovative techniques have benefited their circuits. Operators can derive tremendous benefits by taking part in a conference such as this and highlighting their operations. As Clifford Mutevhe, of Anglo American Platinum commented: "Comminution '14 not only enhanced my knowledge but also helped me identify solutions to the milling circuit I manage. Some of the discussions we had, we have carried them forward as part of the business process improvements. I also managed to identify with a huge pool of knowledgeable people from across the world. I could not imagine communicating daily and interacting with people from SA, USA, France, Iran, China, Australia and various other countries. Some have become my friends, importantly."

Those who wish to present in the formal technical and poster sessions will also be required to submit draft papers before the conference. These unrefereed papers will be available to delegates on USB sticks. After the conference, authors will be invited to submit final papers, which will be peer-reviewed with a view to publication in a special issue of Minerals Engineering, the world's number 1 mineral processing journal. The deadline for abstract submission is the end of October.

Highlights of the technical sessions will be three keynote lectures from world renowned experts in comminution, Joe Pease of Mineralurgy Pty Ltd (posting of 15 January), Australia, Prof. Malcolm Powell of Australia's JKMRC, and Rob McIvor of Metcom Technologies Inc., USA (see posting of 1 June). Joe and Rob will also be presenting two workshops on the Sunday before the conference which will be of great value to plant metallurgical staff and management, grinding circuit equipment and material suppliers, and others interested in design and optimisation.

As always the conference will be held in Cape Town's Vineyard Hotel, its superb gardens under Table Mountain providing the perfect setting for the extended coffee breaks, lunches and happy hours, intended to give delegates the opportunity of relaxing and networking in the best of conditions.

The view from the Vineyard conference centre

Lunches will be served in the exhibition area, where 13 of the 23 booths available have already been reserved.

Last year at Process Mineralogy '14 we held the conference dinner at nearby Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and this was a great night of good food, wine and entertainment, so we look forward to the Comminution '16 dinner in this unique setting.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

All in all, a conference not to be missed and we look forward to seeing you at the Vineyard next April.