Blogs
Deaths, violence and illegalities keep staining the South African mining sector
A conflict between competing groups in a mine located in Johannesburg’s East Rand, South Africa, caused the death of seven illegal miners, about a week ago. Besides the fatal victims, also 12 other men got seriously injured. The local police was alerted on the past Sunday (July 28th) to a violent fight between the groups, which was occurring at an
Sodium Metabisulfite MBS for pH Control and Pyrite Depression in Flotation
Sodium Metabisulfite aka MBS is used for pH control in froth flotation to control Pyrite depression. Below is a graph showing pH VS pyrite recovery at various collector addition rates. It is also used to prevent flotation of sphalerite by copper activation in the presence of Tennantite/Covellite in the ore. For pyrite flotation, you see maximum iron/pyrite depression using Sodium Metabisulfite/MBS takes
Polyurethane Screen Panels
Deflectors Helps redirect material toward middle of panels Best suited for conventional lower open area screen panels Cutter Panel Small surface humps situated slot against flow for static flume applications Particularly effective for dewatering and heavy media recovery. Small angled surface humps direct water down and into the apertures – slot against flow. Superior impact resistant capabilities. 30mm thick,
SAG Mill Trommel Screen
A SAG Mill trommel screen lets you control the true discharge size of your SAG mill or the transfer size to the downstream Ball Mill circuit. A well sized trommel should not let rocks pass to the Ball Mill if they are to be more than say 5/8″ or 16mm In the image case below, strangely enough, Metso is the mill
Disseminated Ore Deposits | Complex Polymetallic Mineralogy
You do not know what Disseminated Polymetallic Ore Deposits or Complex Mineralogy until you have seen a QEMSCAN like this: With simple main observations as crazy as these below. ***The proportion of each mineral liberated at a 56µm grind P80 was: Chalcopyrite — 36% liberated Galena — 12% liberated Sphalerite — 45% liberated Pyrite — 85% liberated ***The most abundant binary composites
Prosecutors accuse American businessman of faking Filipino gold mine to get over $1 million from investors
The story goes back to 2007, when a Michigan-based businessman allegedly stole over $1 million from investors that were lured into a scheme based on a fake Filipino gold mine. Freeman “Buck” Carl Reed, from St. Joseph, is the protagonist of this story, as the man is being charged with several counts of fraud by the US District Court. Six years ago,
Pra river in Ghana can become chemically contaminated if the government doesn’t act against illegal mining
Ghana’s government is determined to fight the scourge of illegal mining in the country, especially its scientifically proven consequences to the health of the people that live near the mining areas, announced the vice-president. But what can they really do to stop this disaster? According to Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, “the issue of illegal mining is not just a simple one of the
Iron-ore from space mining might make Earth’s metal market crash
After we recently talked about the project of the company Planetary Resources, which intends to do some space mining after building its Arkyd 100 spacecraft, Mining Examiner found a related statement from Declan Vogt about the possibility of mining asteroids. “The supply and demand of iron-ore and precious metals is globally well balanced; therefore, the mining of these metals in space
Modal Mineralogy Definition
Modal Analysis is essential in mineral processing and geometallurgy. It is big business for http://www.sgs.com/~/media/Global/Documents/Flyers%20and%20Leaflets/SGS-MIN-WA067-EXPLOMIN%E2%84%A2-EN-11.pdf and others.
Mineralogical Analysis using QEMSCAN and its Photomicrograph
A Mineralogical Analysis done using a QEMSCAN can produce Photomicrograph of chalcopyrite (Cpy), pyrite (Py) attached to and locked in sphalerite. (Reflected Light). Photomicrograph showing pyrite attached to and locked in sphalerite. Bornite (Bn) locked in sphalerite (Reflected Light). Photomicrograph of pyrite and chalcopyrite locked in sphalerite. Arsenopyrite (Asp) locked in pyrite (Reflected Light). Photomicrograph of pyrite and chalcopyrite locked in sphalerite.
Apple accused of using illegally mined tin to produce the iPhone
Apple might have used illegally mined tin from Indonesia to manufacture its iPhones and some other products. At least, that’s what the international environmentalist group Friends of the Earth said recently. According to the group’s website, tin mining on Bangka Island, in Indonesia, has been connected to “the destruction of tropical forests, coral reefs and fishermen’s livelihoods”. They also call “rotten Apple” to the company
Calculate and Select Ball Mill Ball Size for Optimum Grinding
In Grinding, selecting (calculate) the correct or optimum ball size that allows for the best and optimum/ideal or target grind size to be achieved by your ball mill is an important thing for a Mineral Processing Engineer AKA Metallurgist to do. Often, the ball used in ball mills is oversize “just in case”. Well, this safety factor can cost you much in
Procedure Residual Copper Soluble Analysis -Assay Method -Acid
Table of Contents1.3 Ensure that necessary solutions are prepared in suitable volume.Sequential Copper Analysis Method METHOD for SEQUENTIAL AND RESIDUAL COPPER ANALYSIS PURPOSE: To determine, through sequential dissolution, the probable copper distribution by copper mineral in a sample. SCOPE: Matrix: Copper ores Analyte: Copper (Cu) Range: <1-20%. Accuracy/Precision: This method is not intended to be accurate since there is
11 Technologies that will change mining in the next decade
Table of Contents1. Mobile internet2. Automation3. Internet of things4. Cloud5. Advanced robotics6. Autonimous or near-autonomous vehicles7. Energy storage8. 3D printing9. Advanced materials10. Advanced oil and gas exploration and recovery11. Renewable electricity Some emerging technologies are set to completely transform the way mining professionals will operate over the next 10 years. Whether we are talking about improving productivity, saving money or
Democratic Republic of Congo: one of the capitals of child labor in the mines
The rates of child labor in Africa are simply scary. However, when you combine the factors “Democratic Republic of Congo” (DRC) and “mines”, you get even scarier numbers. Apparently, the International Day Against Child Labor (June 12) is not celebrated in the Congolese ore pits, like any other day. Every minute spent in the mines is dedicated to work, even if
Mineral Processing Engineer
A Mineral Processing Engineer does http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral_processing after studying at a great school like http://www.mine.queensu.ca/Undergraduate-Studies/Degree-program-overview.html Both men and women can do this enjoyable career. A good Mineral Processor applies science to the practical world.
Levin Grindability Index Test Method & Procedure
The Ball Mill Grindability of ores is generally determined by the Bond standard grindability index test method. However, this test and procedure is not applicable to fine materials such as sands; the grindability of fine materials must therefore be determined by a comparative grinding method, for which a reference material of know grindability is required. Suitable reference materials are not easily
Three quarters of the world’s mining companies are based in Canada but there aren’t enough overseas laws
Table of Contents1. Griffiths Energy2. Barrick Gold Corporation3. Anvil Mining Did you know that Canada is the home of 75 percent of the planet’s mining companies? That’s right! At least, according to the Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development of Canada. After all, it’s Canada that is keeping the mining industry “glued” together, hosting almost 1,300 mining companies that are investing hundreds
Quick Grind Check -How to Quickly Estimate Grind Size or P80 | Operator Tips
An easy and fast/quick way for grinding operators to get an idea and estimate their grinds is to follow this procedure. http://www.metcomconsulting.com/ Using a calculator an those 2 simple tools will get you a fast P80 or Pxyz. This great simple tool/method lets you estimate the grind size of any stream using a wet vibrating screen (single deck) and a
IsaMill
Look inside an IsaMill and have a look at an installed IsaMill grinding unit. IsaMill Signature Plot
Ultrafine Grinding Test Report AKA IsaMill Signature Plot
Here is an energy plot AKA an IsaMill Signature Plot AKA a Ultrafine Grinding Test Report. This test is performed using a Netzsch Grinding lab mill. I also include links to great articles about this powerful ultra-fine grinding technology. 1) IsaMill- 1:1 Direct Scaleup from Ultrafine to Coarse Grinding 2) The Benefits of IsaMill Testing 3) Industry/Research Papers from Conferences An IsaMill by Xtrata/Glencore
How to Interpret Particle Size Distribution Data
For a great presentation on How to Interpret Particle Size Distribution Data D50 D80 D90 and D10 you need to see https://www.brainshark.com/malvern/particlesize_mining_mineral/z8azT04z0z0?v=3 by Malvern.
Optimum Froth Bed Depth Levels
When the pulp levels on all cells appears high (shallow froth bed thicknesses or depth). This causes unstable froth which constantly produces a low density “run-away” or wet, watery un-drained rougher concentrate rich in mechanically floated (entrained) “other materials” and containing most of the frother (added to flotation feed) itself. ** Operating at shallow froth bed causes much of the