SEPA RATION TECHNOLOGIES
A combination of SeproSystems Falcon Continuous and Ultra-Fine
Concentrators was recently able to increase ov erall plant recovery at Tanco
dependable predictions of gravity performance for both operating and greenfield projects. This gives clients the required confidence when making costly capital or operational expenditure decisions related to the plant.
The proprietary modelling exercise also helps FLS to identify key factors that truly affect gravity recovery and how to optimise them. In most cases, gravity performance is not just driven by Knelson concentrator performance, which FLS says is very consistent from site to site, but by other factors such as cyclone performance, ensuring good circulation of GRG in the mill, or screening performance to maximise the tonnage entering the concentrators.
Sepro Systems- Falcon tech performs at Tanco
A combination of Sepro Systems Falcon Continuous and Ultra-Fine Concentrators was recently able to increase overall plant recovery at the Tanco hard rock tantalum operation in Canada by more than 4 % by increasing fine(-300 micron) and ultra-fine(-20 micron) particle recovery.
The area in and around the historic Tanco mine in Canada’ s central province of Manitoba is currently a hotbed of lithium exploration. However, the mine has a long history of caesium and tantalum production dating back to the 1920s. While commercial tantalum production ceased in the early 2010s Tanco served as an excellent example of fine mineral recovery for over a decade.
Tantalum breaks down into extremely fine particles after grinding. Substantial losses were observed in the-300 + 20 micron size fraction that was being treated with shaking tables and spirals. Shaking tables have low unit capacity and take up a lot of floor space. The ultra-fine-20 micron size fraction had high flotation recovery, but could not reach saleable grade.
Flotation concentrate cleaning with a Mozley MGS and crossbelt concentrator could only achieve 50 % recovery with an upgrade ratio of 5. Three gravity concentrators were tested on the- 300 + 20 micron size fraction. The Falcon Continuous Concentrator was selected due to the metallurgical performance and low maintenance cost.
A Falcon C1000 rougher, C400 cleaner and shaking table re-cleaner circuit was commissioned on the-300 + 20 micron tailings stream. An additional Falcon C1000 and C400 circuit was commissioned in the spodumene circuit for tantalum recovery; while a Falcon UF gravity concentrator was installed to clean the
ultra-fine flotation concentrate. A single unit was automated in conjunction with tanks and pumps for multi-stage operation( roughing, cleaning and scavenging).
The approach achieved an additional 4 % in overall pla ant recovery with the addition of the
Falcon Continuous gravity concentrators. A QEM scan reveale d no liberated tantalum in the Falcon tailings stream. The solution also offered 100 % availability since maintenance could be performed within existing preventative maintenance schedule. Recoveries of up to 80 % were achieved with upgrade ratios over 16 in the ultra-fine flotation concentrate.
And the Frontier Bowl
Sepro has almost 40 years of experience
APRIL 2025 | International Mining 29