• CRADLE TO GRAVE
CAMEROON EXPLORATION PROGRESSES WITH MODULAR PILOT PLANT
Development at Multotec ’ s technology division , drill samples from the prospect area are passed over the screen to remove oversized material , with undersize going into a sump to be mixed with water to the correct density . The undersize material reports to the cyclone for desliming – the removal of very fine particles – delivering an underflow with an optimal size range of between 38 microns and 1 mm . This is fed to the spiral rig for concentration , with the spiral delivering a concentrate , middlings and tailings . The process allows the project to assess its economic heavy minerals ( EHM ) portion , which is concentrated towards the inner section of the spiral .
“ The HX5 and 117HM spirals were employed to suit the customer ’ s requirement , with the new 117HM spiral showing great recovery in mineral sands ,” says Bornman . “ With the HX5 handling up to 5.5 tph and the 117HM 2.3 tph , these spirals also offer different recoveries and grade in the various heavy minerals .”
A heavy minerals exploration project has been using the Multotec modular pilot plant at a remote site in Cameroon .
The equipment in this pilot plant is vital to achieving an accurate assessment of the deposit ’ s viability , but the results also give the customer important insights into how the full-scale plant should be designed if exploration proves results provided positive .
“ To ensure that the customer receives optimal value from the pilot plant , we sent a process engineer to site to commission the system ,” he says . “ During the several weeks that he spent there , he also conducted training with local staff on how to run and maintain the plant .”
EFFICIENCY IN ELECTRIC MOTORS DRIVES SAVINGS , SUSTAINABILITY
In the absence of legislation to drive energy efficiency in South Africa , it is vital that local industries recognise the commercial benefit of converting to high efficiency motors , says Zest WEG sales manager for electric motors Francois Labuschagne .
All images by Multotec
The containerised pilot plant incorporates Multotec equipment including screen panels , cyclone rig and spiral rig .
In pursuit of global targets to reduce the pace of climate change , many countries have legally enforced the use of certain efficiency classes of motor , but not South Africa . Labuschagne points out that as much as 40 % of the power consumed on the national grid is to drive electric motors . This means that any improvement in motor efficiency would significantly reduce the total electricity load and help reduce carbon emissions from coal-fired power generation .
Exploring for heavy minerals in Cameroon , a multinational mining company is gaining valuable results and insights through the use of an on-site pilot plant from South Africa-based process equipment leader Multotec .
The pilot plant was designed and assembled at the company ’ s design , manufacturing and testing facilities at Spartan near Johannesburg , and shipped to the remote site in central Africa last year . The containerised plant has a range of equipment including screen panels , cyclone rig and spiral rig .
According to Faan Bornman , technology manager : Research and
42 • African Mining • July 2022
All images by Zest WEG
A motor ’ s purchase price typically makes up only about 2 % of its lifecycle cost over 10 years . With another 3 % of this cost consumed by maintenance , a full 95 % of the cost of running a motor is the energy it consumes . www . africanmining . co . za