Understanding Mineral Processing for Non-Metallurgists – Perth and Online

The focus of the course is to look at the science of mineral processing from a non-metallurgist’s point of view. It explores principles of geology, mineralogy, chemistry, mineral processing and economics as they apply to mineral processing unit operations and explains in simple terms, from how metal is geologically detected, extracted from various rocks and minerals to the final metal product.

The course provides an overview of extractive metallurgical principles in the design and operation of process plants but also discusses issues such as metallurgical testwork, metallurgical accounting, environmental management and other common aspects of practical extractive metallurgy.

Course content:

Mineral Processes:

• Mineralogy
• Geometallurgy
• Ore Terminology
• Types of Minerals
• Ore Processing
  • Comminution
  • Particle Technology
  • Transport and Storage
  • Mineral Beneficiation and Extraction
  • Separation and Classification Processes (Dry and Wet)
  • Chemical Processes
    • Hydrometallurgy
    • Thermal Processes
      • Pyrometallurgy
  • Purification and Recovery Processes
  • Environmental Management

Schematic Flow Diagram of Mineral Processing

Ore Preparation Unit Operations:

• Discussion/Examples and Animations

Ore Processing/Ore Size Reduction:

• Crushing
• Milling
• Comminution Variations

Particle Technology:

• Stockpiling
• Sorting
• Size Separation
• Screens and Grizzlies
• Feeding
• Conveying Storage
• Cleaning
• Thickening
• Filtering Drying
• Pollution Control

Metal Production

Mineral Beneficiation and Extraction:

• Separation and Classification Processes (Dry and Wet)
• Physical Separation
  • Gravity and Density (wet and dry)
  • Jigs
  • Cyclones
  • Heavy Medium Separation
  • Flotation (Process, Circuits and Surface Chemistry)
  • Magnetic and Electrostatic Separation

Chemical Processes (Hydrometallurgy):

• Leaching
• Chemistry and Reaction Kinetics
• Counter Current Decantation and Washing
• Solution Concentration and Purification
• Cementation and Precipitation
• Solvent Extraction (SX)
• Activated Carbon (CIL and CIP)
• Ion Exchange (RIP)
• Metal Production
• Electrowinning
• Typical Flowsheets

Thermal Processes (Pyrometallurgy):

• Pyrometallurgical Pre-Treatment Processes
• Roasting
• Calcination
• Drying
• Smelting
• Converting
• Refining

Process Specific Flowsheet and Optimization Section:

• For example Gold, BMS, PGM, Iron Ore, etc. specific
• Process Flowsheet
• Process Optimization

Environmental Management:

• Environmental Risks
• Baseline Assessments, Approvals and Compliance
• Tailings Disposal
• Water Pollution
• Dust Control

Metal Accounting and Costs:

• Metallurgical Accounting
  • Basic Principles
• Operating Costs
  • Fixed/Variable relationships
  • Components (labour, stores, power, overheads etc)
• Capital Costs
  • Components (direct, indirect and contingencies)
• Accuracy & precision
• Estimation (scaling, 2/3 rule)

Typical Processes for Major Commodities

Metal and Mineral Final Products and Applications

Duration (in days)

1

Price in AU Dollars

In-house /Online or Onsite training is a cost-effective way of getting your whole team trained.

Contact us for further information