MINING CHEMICALS-CHEMICAL CHANGE_proof 25/05/2016 08:36 Page 3
MINING CHEMICALS
many of which are used in SX processes as well
as other applications, by about 10%. The
additional capacity expansion, designed to meet
rapidly expanding global demand for
hydrocarbon fluids and extend the company’s
worldwide supply capability, was completed this
year. Elissa Sterry, Vice President of
Intermediates Products, ExxonMobil Chemical Co
explained: “Our fluids are tailored to meet
specific end-use requirements, providing
customers with a competitive advantage. As a
fully integrated company, access to our own
feedstocks reinforces supply security for our
customers.”
The company’s portfolio of fluids includes
ultra-low aromatic grades that deliver the highest
performance standards while complying with
stringent environmental and regulatory
requirements. “ExxonMobil’s specialty products,
such as our Escaid fluids, improve performance
and safety in extended-reach drilling and solvent
extraction processes for mining applications,”
said Declan Dixon, ExxonMobil Fluids Marketing
Manager. “Our Exxsol fluids, with extremely-low
aromatic content and low odour, are effectively
and efficiently replacing traditional industrial and
consumer solvents.”
Hydrocarbon fluids, including speciality brands
and unique products tailored for specific
applications, are available in a variety of
distillation ranges and evaporation rates. They
are well suited as solvents, dispersants and
carriers for many applications. The ExxonMobil
Chemical portfolio of high-value hydrocarbon
fluids include the Exxsol D, Escaid, Isopar,
Somentor and Solvesso brands.
Escaid 110 Fluid is currently used in many
copper SX operations and is valued for its low
evaporation losses, crud formation and
entrainment losses, in addition to comparative
health and environmental benefits. Escaid 115
Fluid is a next-generation product with even
lower volatility and lower evaporation losses.
Increasing productivity, lowering costs
Cytec (now part of the Solvay Group) says it
continues its commitment to provide tailored
reagent solutions for reducing operating
expense, increasing efficiency, avoiding capital
expenditures and improving the overall
productivity of mining operations. “Solvay is also
well known for having the industry’s strongest
technical service team. Our hands-on approach
takes into account all aspects of our customers’
operations,” says Chuck Price, Executive Vice
President of Solvay’s Mining Solutions business.
“Most mine operations see real benefits from
working collaboratively with us versus
implementing a ‘one size fits all’ commodity
approach.”
One of Solvay’s dedicated teams is focused on
42 International Mining | JUNE 2016
hydrometallurgy
applications. Forty
years ago, these
hydrometallurgy
scientists enabled the
commercial
development of SX-EW
with the introduction
of ACORGA® oximebased extractants.
Currently, ACORGA
extractants are used
for more than 50% of
SX-EW produced
copper globally, while
the CYANEX® organo-phosphinic extractants have
become an industry standard for the separation
of cobalt from nickel. One of the group’s most
recent advances is the ACORGA CB1000 clay
binder, a processing aid to optimise clay
treatment in the interest of improving organic
quality in copper SX operations. In only two years
since its market introduction, CB1000 clay binder
is in use at several key operations in North
America, clearly demonstrating its ability to
enhance clay treatment.
As part of its commitment to develop
regionally relevant industry solutions, the group
introduced its ACORGA NR (nitration resistant)
formulations in the early 2010s for South America
where some of the copper ores naturally contain
excessive amounts of nitrate, which contribute to
reagent degradation. More recently, Solvay has
developed an innovative approach