MINING CHEMICALS its robust performance, demonstrating it to be a reliable alternative to traditional mist suppressants in mining operations.”
To evaluate mist suppression over a range of ACORGA ® EW98 concentrations, lab methodologies were repeated at concentrations of 3-40 ppm. Acid mist suppression is seen with low concentrations of ACORGA ® EW98. About 90 % of the acid mist accumulation was prevented with a concentration of 10 pm, and over 95 % at concentration of 15 ppm or higher. A target concentration of 10- 20 ppm is concluded from the results. Additional work is ongoing to discuss the stability of the additive and required make-up dosages, which initially indicate low degradation and make-up needs.
In October 2024, an industrial trial of ACORGA ® EW98 began at a large copper producer in Arizona. The trial plan consisted of taking baseline measurements using the incumbent acid mist suppressant followed by gradually decreasing the incumbent usage and adding ACORGA ® EW98 until a target concentration was achieved. Acid mist suppression was measured by placing an air pump over the cell line with filter cartridges to measure the acid mist generated. This data was normalised and compared to the incumbent acid mist suppressant. After achieving a target concentration of 15 ppm ACORGA ® EW98 in the commercial electrolyte, similar performance in acid mist suppression was observed when compared to the incumbent.
Orica Specialty Mining Chemicals
IM spoke to Andrew Stewart, President of Orica Specialty Mining Chemicals, for some insights into its strengths and solutions
Q What synergies have resulted from the Cyanco acquisition in terms of manufacturing, logistics, product range?
Orica’ s global strategy is to grow beyond blasting, creating leading positions in blasting, digital solutions and now, Specialty Mining Chemicals. Post the Cyanco acquisition, Orica now has ~ 240,000 t / y of sodium cyanide production capacity across three manufacturing centres in Yarwun, Australia as well as Winnemucca and Alvin in the United States. This makes Orica the largest mining dedicated producer of sodium cyanide globally by a factor of nearly two times. It has also enabled Orica to provide sodium cyanide to customers within North America, growing its existing strong footprint of blasting and digital solutions offerings in this critical mining region, especially within gold and future facing commodities, as Orica diversifies its portfolio towards materials critical to a low carbon future. Orica’ s global network and supply chain are critical to customer success. Alvin and Yarwun work in combination to enable supply chain flexibility and optimisation to support customers in multiple geographies, and with our customers we are dual permitting product, allowing interchangeability between production sources, easing ongoing supply chain disruptions and geopolitical challenges, ensuring ongoing security of supply.
Q Are all sodium cyanides for mining effectively the same or are there subtle differences in the products?
Sodium cyanide has been used in the extraction of gold from ore for over a century. Today it is still considered the most efficient extraction method – with sodium cyanide used in the leaching process in most gold mining operations. Orica is the largest producer of sodium cyanide for the mining industry, and Orica produces two forms of sodium cyanide for customers depending on their individual needs. Solid sodium cyanide is produced to form a white crystalline briquette or‘ cyanoid’. These briquettes are highly soluble and can be delivered to customers using the Orica-designed Sparge system, or in flexible intermediate bulk containers( FIBCs). Liquid sodium cyanide is delivered to mine sites via purpose-built isotanks that are suitable for road or rail transport.
Q What distinguishes your products- is it more about consistency of quality, safety of supply and storage, sustainability, security of supply?
Through a global network of three manufacturing plants and eight regional storage and handling depots, Orica Specialty Mining Chemicals ensures safe and reliable operations for customers, with ongoing cyanide security of supply. This strong position, combined with dedicated customer support representatives in every region, backed by Orica’ s broader presence in over 100 countries provides localised customer service, safety support, field support specialists, as well as technical and metallurgical assistance.
Q Can you outline the value that LeachIT and Cyantific bring to customers?
LeachIT™ is an innovative solution designed to optimise sodium cyanide( NaCM) usage in gold and copper processing, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing operating costs. Orica’ s Cyantific Technology & Services portfolio empowers our customers to unlock the full potential of their gold processing operations. Cyantific consists of the following four technical service & product verticals which have been designed to help our gold processing customers improve gold recovery rates, reduce their operational costs, and ensure security of supply of cyanide.
• Cyantific Analysers: Free Cyanide and WAD Cyanide analysers that assist with maximising gold recoveries, whilst minimising reagent costs.
• Cyantific Optimisation & Detoxification: A suite of products that help our customers enhance process efficiencies, effectively detoxify cyanide effluents, improve operational performance, forecast and optimise cyanide consumption, and implement metallurgical best practices.
• Cyantific Advanced Dissolution Systems: Orica’ s Full Sparge, Mini Sparge & SLS dissolution systems are safer and more efficient alternatives to conventional cyanide delivery methods. Our dissolution systems help customers to reduce risks associated with cyanide delivery; improve safety and security on-site; eliminate contaminated packaging; and isolate operators from hazards. They are also customisable to meet customer needs.
• Cyantific Safety Services: An operational safety and training portfolio which is designed to improve our customers understanding of safe handling, use and awareness of cyanide in their operations.
Outside of the Cyantific range, Orica is also excited to commence the launch of a range of reagents for customers across multiple commodities and processing methods, called OptiOre. These products will progressively launch through 2025 and beyond, another core pillar to Orica’ s Specialty Mining Chemicals portfolio.
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