Biohydrometallurgy and Sustainability join forces in Falmouth

An exciting week awaits in Cornwall in June with the 2- day Sustainable Minerals '16 conference immediately following the 3-day Biohydrometallurgy '16 event.

The conference programmes have now been published, and there will be four very topical keynotes during the week, presented by high-profile figures in the industry.

The Biohydromet timetable has two keynotes, from Frank Roberto, of Newmont Mining Corporation, USA, and Dave Dew, of Dewality Consultants Ltd, UK. Frank will discuss the commercial heap biooxidation of refractory gold ores, while Dave will review the application of biohydrometallurgy to the treatment of base metal sulfide concentrates.

Timetabled in the Sustainable Minerals '16 conference are two keynotes, the first by Robin Batterham of the University of Melbourne, who will show how the mine of the future will be even more sustainable. On the second day Mike Battersby, of Maelgwyn Mineral Services, UK will discuss best practice in mineral processing. Mike was recently interviewed for Materials World magazine (January 2016), where he talks about his career and ideas on how to reduce energy use in the minerals industry.

The final day of Biohydromet '16 will provide a strong link into Sustainable Minerals '16, with presentations on the use of biotechnology in environmental issues, such as acid mine drainage. Sustainable Minerals '16 delegates will have the option of registering separately for this final day, and there are also discounts for those wishing to attend both conferences.

So all is set for a great week of presentations, and also networking opportunities, with the usual MEI coastal walks into old Falmouth, and a visit to the historic Camborne mining district on the Tuesday evening.

Biohydromet '14 delegates in Falmouth

Both conferences are appropriately sponsored by Outotec, which has recently been ranked for the second time as the world's third most sustainable company (MEI Online) and in 2015 strengthened its portfolio of gold processing technologies by acquiring Biomin's Biox bioleaching technology. Media partner for both conferences is International Mining, and for Sustainable Minerals Industrial Minerals is also a partner.

We look forward to a very productive week in June.