Sad news from Canada of the death, on 15 November, of a well known and respected comminution expert, Derek Barratt, who I met twice, the first time in Cambridge in 2015 at the IOM3 conference Minerals and Metals Production from Mine to Market, and again in London in 2017 for the IOM3 Awards, where Derek was awarded the Futers Gold Medal.
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| Derek Barratt in Cambridge in 2015 with David Meadows of Bechtel Mining & Metals, USA |
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| The IOM3 Awards in 2017. Derek is 4th from the right on the front row |
The following appreciation has been provided by David Meadows of Bechtel and the IOM3's Tony Francis:
The passing of Derek Barratt, FIMMM is reported with great sadness. Derek was a highly regarded Metallurgical Engineer and Minerals Processor known throughout the mining industry for his ground breaking (!) work on comminution circuit design and modelling. He was a world leader in the development of comminution circuit sizing methodology using the multiple Bond work index tests. He was frequently called upon by mining companies and engineering contractors to carry out due diligence reviews of comminution circuits design and expansions. He was particularly known for his expertise in high capacity SABC circuits in Latin America.
Derek was a graduate of the Royal School of Mines, London and ran his consultancy, DJB Consultants Inc, from his adopted home in Vancouver. He was a principal speaker at many international conferences and published nearly 50 technical papers during his 60 years in the minerals industry. In addition, he has served as lead lecturer for a SAIMM Comminution School in 1991, as co-editor and Vice-Chair for the SAG 1996 and co-editor and Chair of the SAG 2001 Conferences, and Committee Secretary/Technical Advisor/Editor to the SME Mineral Processing Plant Design, Practice, and Control Symposium in 2002.
Derek received the 2003 INCO Medal from the CIMM, the 2006 Art MacPherson Award from the Canadian Mineral Processors of CIMM and the 2017 Futers Gold Medal from the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining.
Derek was a registered Professional Engineer in B.C., a Chartered Engineer in the U.K., a Life Member of CIMM, a Legion of Honour Member of SME, a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and an Associate of the Royal School of Mines.
Derek was liked and respected by all who met him and will be greatly missed. Condolences go to his family, friends and colleagues.
David Meadows & Tony Francis, December 2022.
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What a spirited person! I found Derek engaging to be with, with an enquiring mind reflected in his (in)famous probing questions at all conferences. Most rigorous in test work and analysis, and certainly had a substantial impact on the mining industry adopting large mills. Another great character of our industry.
ReplyDeleteA very sad event. Derek was a true gentleman.
ReplyDeleteCorby G Anderson, Colorado School of Mines, USA
Via Minerals Engineers
Very sad news -Derek was one of the greats in comminution thinking. We honour and cherish his heritage
ReplyDeleteSteven Williams, Blue Coast Metallurgy & Research, Canada
Via Minerals Engineers
Vale Derek Barratt. A very valuable contributer to the field of comminution. He has left a lasting legacy. Condolences to family and friends.
ReplyDeleteSuzy Lynch-Watson, Metso Outotec, Australia
Via Minerals Engineers
Each time I met Derek as a student or professional he was very respectful and enthusiastic about comminution discussions. Rest In Peace Derek, you will be missed a lot in the industry.
ReplyDeleteAvishan Atrafi, Sedgman Pty Limited, Canada
Via Minerals Engineers
We salute Derek Barratt, an esteemed comminution engineer who devoted his career to advancing the field and making a positive impact on countless projects. He was a brilliant and passionate engineer who never shied away from a lively discussion. His dedication and commitment to his work inspired those around him. Derek was a kind person and was always ready to teach what he had learned. He will be missed.
ReplyDeleteAdam Johnston, Transmin Metallurgical Consultants, UK
Via Minerals Engineers
RIP Derek! I had the pleasure of visiting a mine in Mexico with Derek about 10 years ago we went underground and up and down ladders over muck piles etc...
ReplyDeleteLinda Dufour, GMining Services, USA
Via Minerals Engineers
Very sad news indeed; Derek Barratt was one of the greats in the Comminution area over the past thirty years. Quirky and insightful, the SAG Conference 2023 won’t be the same without him. RIP. 😢
ReplyDeleteStephen Hall, Duratray International, Australia
Via Minerals Engineers
Very sad to hear of Derek Barrett’s passing. 😢. He was an important influence on comminution modelling.
ReplyDeleteNichola McKay-Davison, Blue Coast Metallurgy & Research, Canada
Via Minerals Engineers
Derek made an enormous contribution to the design of comminution circuits and sharing his knowledge. I was privileged to present a paper on how to apply his mill power calculation methods to a mineral processing design school at the SAIMM in 1998. He was generous in his guidance in preparing the paper and the time he gave to bring my understanding up to his exacting standards. The mineral processing industry will continue to benefit from his contribution. Condolences to his family and friends.
ReplyDelete