MINERAL SEPARATION
provide a wealth of non-quantifiable information that is vital for a hydrocyclone ’ s efficient operation ,” he said . “ Considerations may include the need to use ceramic wear lining to combat a particularly abrasive or corrosive slurry , selecting the correct materials of construction such as the appropriate ceramic lining in the apex / spigot and cone sections , or an appropriate elastomer lining in the upper portions of the hydrocyclone .”
The final product requirements , including the size classification range , product densities and impact on final recovery , also need to be determined as these items influence selection .
“ Cavex hydrocyclones provide efficient particle classification and lower bypass back to the mill in grinding circuit applications ,” Maquera Coyla said . “ Improving efficiency and lowering bypass reduces the quantity of fine particles already of sufficient size from returning back to the mill . This reduction in fine particles in the mill may allow mill capacity to be used for new feed rather than fines .”
On top of this , the current mill recirculation load and size of particle in the product required to maximise recovery in downstream equipment should be considered .
This is where consulting with experts can help . These experts can advise on which sizes can meet the application needs and improve the operational performance and output of the grinding mill , according to Maquera Coyla .
A leader in magnetic separation technology , Steinert has also been expanding its sensor-based sorting reach with one of its most recent success stories coming from a Mexico-based industrial minerals mine .
In 2018 , the mine in central Mexico installed its first Steinert ore sorter to improve the operation ’ s run of mine ( ROM ) grade , which had gradually been decreasing with the age of the mine . This first successful installation was followed by two more Steinert multi-sensor sorters , which are now processing most of the medium- to low-grade ROM to produce a high-grade product that can be sold directly to the market .
“ This ore sorting plant has , thus , enabled the mine to extend its resources to include low-grade areas which were previously below cut-off grade ,” Steinert said , adding that further expansions of the ore sorting plant are being evaluated .
Steinert says it has developed a unique “ multi-sensor sorting ” concept , which its STEINERT KSS sorting system applies . This system allows the combination of one of the three main sensors ( X-ray Transmission , X-ray Fluorescence and near-infrared ( NIR )) with all three additional sensors ( induction , 3D laser and colour ).
The main combination for mining is the XRT sensor with a colour , 3D laser and induction sensor . This approach gives customers flexibility to treat very difficult minerals like fluorspar , iron ore , polymetallic ores , gold ore and others , according to Steinert . The sensors are fine tuned to detect physical properties such as density , size , volume , brightness , colour , inductivity and conductivity .
In the case in Mexico , the main differentiating properties being analysed are density , size and colour .
The client is continuously facing challenges of inconsistent grades due to waste rock dilution in its ROM ore , according to Steinert , with the sorters set to produce various grades of products depending on market demand .
The implementation of the project started with tests carried out at the STEINERT Test and Development Center in Germany . Shortly after testing , Steinert Latin American Head of Customer Support , Edwardes Dias , commissioned the first sorting system .
“ Making a good selection or providing understanding the operating theory ,” he said . “ It solutions is as much a matter of experience as is important to lean on the experience of