The Evolution of Mill Circuits

Mill Circuits '24 will be the first in what we hope will be an important new MEI conference series. Sponsored by Capstone Copper, FLSmidth, and Conundrum, the conference programme highlights new approaches to mineral processing circuits, through design, modelling, optimisation and operation.

I will set the scene on the opening day by showing how mill circuits have evolved from the first industrial revolution to the present day and on the final afternoon a panel will look at how they might evolve in the future.

The panel will be chaired by Dariusz Lelinski,the Global Director for Flotation with FLSmidth, USA, who will also present the first day keynote lecture  "Evolution to revolution? How can innovation in flotation technology deliver sustainable productivity, now and into the future?"

The four panelists will bring wide ranging experience into the discussion.

Kevin Galvin is well known as the inventor of the Reflux Classifier and the Reflux Flotation Cell, He is a Laureate Professor at the University of Newcastle, Australia and Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, and previous recipient of the Antoine Gaudin Award in mineral processing. He is Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Enabling Eco-Efficient Beneficiation of Minerals.

Rajiv Chandramohan is Technical Director, Global Operations, with Ausenco, Canada. He has extensive experience in mineral processing research, comminution, materials handling, metallurgical testing and numerical and process simulations. He has developed a wide range of novel technologies applicable to the mining industry in gold, copper, platinum and diamond operations.

There is likely to be a revolution in process control, by harnessing physics-informed AI models for enhanced profitability, robustness, and sustainability and probably no one is better equipped to discuss this than Artem Penkin, Data Science Team Lead with AI company Conundrum, UK, who is a sponsor for all forthcoming MEI Conferences.

After graduating from Camborne School of Mines in 1985, Dave Meadows spent 12 years in production in South Africa before moving to the USA and he is now Chief Technical Officer with Bechtel Mining and Metals in Phoenix. He has wide international experience in the minerals industry, including guidance and supervision in testwork programs, process design, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, project engineering and execution, construction, commissioning, plant optimisation and a variety of operational management roles, with involvement in significant mineral beneficiation plants for processing of base metals, precious metals and industrial minerals.

Although the panel discussion is provisionally timetabled for 90 minutes, it will last as long as the conversation flows, and if there are any topics that you feel should be discussed we invite you to submit them as comments here for the benefit of the chairman.

Mill Circuits '24 will be of great value to all involved with plant operations, and it is not too late to submit abstracts if you would like to get involved.

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