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MINERAL SEPARATION three-chamber alljig jig F(UB) 5000 x 3400. It is new innovations likely to lead to further uptake of allmineral jigging solutions across the wider commodity space. Ören explained: “Coal and iron ore are the main drivers of the jig market. However, jigs are applied in most other minerals where enrichment can be achieved by density differentiation of the feed content. “Our innovation department is responsible for developing new generations of jigs to decrease energy consumption,” he said, explaining that the company launched a new generation of jig drive last year that offered an air consumption less than 40% of the previous generation. And, on addressing the need for reducing the water consumption of a processing circuit, which Ören says is affected by the moisture of the feed leaving the plant, the company can refer to allair. “The separation principle of allair is the same as alljig – the material is pulsated upwards and the heaviest sediments lift first and a layering process proportional to density takes place,” Ören said. “Theoretically, this makes allair applicable to any alljig process. “On the other hand, air has limited carrying capacity and separation is affected by the moisture of the feed; the feed must be fragmented by air.” Ören says the company has successfully applied allair in coal, rubble and pumice operations, but sees potential in other minerals as well. “Our testing facility with pilot allair is open for R&D works of different applications, and we also have a full plug and play-type allair unit for testing on the site directly.” performance at throughputs in excess of 100 t/h, according to Sepro. Each machine consists of a single moving part where a feed stream enters the machine and is divided into high- and low-density fractions. Proportioning of exit streams can be controlled by the operator, according to the company. These machines are typically used for mineral recovery applications that require a high mass yield to mineral concentrate ratio, such as tin, tantalum, tungsten, chrome, cobalt, iron, fine oxidised coal and uranium. Falcon UF (Ultra-Fine) gravity concentrators help economically recover and upgrade particles as fine as three microns, according to the company. The primary objective of the machines is to scavenge ultra-fine mineral particles typically rejected from mining plant processes as slimes. A typical application for a Falcon SB (Semi- Batch) gravity concentrator, meanwhile, is recovering liberated precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum within a grinding circuit. Outside grinding circuits, Falcon SB gravity concentrators are also used for precious metal separation from aggregate or placer deposits. Smart cyclones To further optimise plant operations, FLSmidth has devised an automated monitoring and control solution for reducing hydrocyclone-related process deviations. These high throughput separation devices are used for separating slurry particles based on particle weight and, although they have been in use in the mining sector for decades, their ability Over 40 years experience as a lead ding designer and manufacturer of magnetic se eparators for the mineral processing, mining and a ceramic industries. Gravity gold Sepro Mineral Systems is, too, looking to applying waterless mineral separation processes at mine sites. One of its 2020 R&D projects includes the development of a new gravity concentrator that eliminates water consumption during the gold recovery process. The current Falcon SB gravity concentrator, which recovers precious metals like gold, flips between periodic run and rinse cycles, meaning process water consumption is already low. Even so, Sepro is intent on devising a way to maintain high levels of gold recovery and eliminate the need for excess water. This will improve mill circuit performance and reduce the amount of water that needs to be removed later in the process, according to the company. Sepro can look to its waterless Falcon C and UF gravity concentration technology for inspiration. Falcon C (Continuous) technology has been proven in commercial applications to be able to withstand 300 G concentrating fields while delivering superior metallurgical and mechanical Bunting High Intensity Three Disc Magnetic Separator Ability to recover and separate six magnetic materials and one non-magnetic material. FULL S AMPLE TE S T & ANAL LY Y SIS SER VICE A AV VA V AILABLE MASTERMAGNETS.COM +44 (0)1527 65858 / [email protected] MAY 2020 | International Mining 31