THICKENING & FILTRATION
Pressing issues
Thickeners and filters are right at the heart of delivering better tailings management solutions for mining – especially with regard to dry stacking . Paul Moore reviews the latest progress on technology along with some project cases
Increasingly , equipment suppliers want to be able to offer the market a complete solution and a united front for tailings management – particularly dry tailings , with thickeners and filters front and centre . Weir Minerals and ANDRITZ recently signed an agreement at MINExpo 2021 “ expanding their shared commitment and strategic cooperation to supply equipment for processing tailings in the mining industry .”
The foundations of this agreement have been built on a shared understanding and vision to enable the sustainable and efficient delivery of the natural resources essential to create a better future for the world , they say .
Since 2018 , Weir Minerals ’ and ANDRITZ ’ s partnership has seen them collaborate on joint tailings projects . This shared history as partners has reinforced their abiding belief that , together , both Weir Minerals and ANDRITZ are stronger , they said . This shared success has led both Weir Minerals and ANDRITZ to renew their ongoing commitment and announce they ’ ll be expanding their offer to all regions around the globe .
Using ANDRITZ ’ s proven separation and dewatering technologies , Weir Minerals says it has strengthened its whole-of-mine capabilities , showcasing market-leading products from extraction to comminution , mill circuit and tailings management . “ Weir Minerals has been providing tailings solutions for decades ; we have dedicated research facilities – the Weir Technical Centre in Melbourne , Australia , and the Sustainable Mining Centre in Venlo , Netherlands – that are challenging conventional ways of thinking about tailings , while also developing practical , innovative and sustainable
solutions that will reduce operating costs and improve safety ,” Ricardo Garib , Weir Minerals Division President , said .
“ Decreasing ore grades mean that mines are producing more tailings than ever before . One
Installing the feedwell onto the Phase 2 tailings thickener at at the Kamoa-Kakula copper project in DRC . Metso Outotec supplied the thickeners as well as the flotation circuit and other milling and filtration equipment to the operation
of the challenges with tailings management is that there cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach ; each mine requires a tailored solution that carefully considers the minerals being processed , as well as the site ’ s climatic and geological conditions . Weir Minerals prides itself on having both the expertise and equipment that allows us to partner with miners everywhere to plan and implement tailings solutions based on their operations ’ unique challenges and this agreement with ANDRITZ enhances those capabilities ,” he said . Steve Huff , President ANDRITZ Separation , said : “ ANDRITZ has a long history working across a range of different industries . We are very proud of the work we ’ ve done with Weir Minerals ; together , we ’ re excited about continuing to provide a joint offering of sustainable and valueadded tailings solutions . Both companies bring a different expertise and know-how to the partnership ;
To address mining project tailings management needs , Weir Minerals has strengthened its partnership with ANDRITZ using the IsoDry brand
OCTOBER 2021 | International Mining 15