Minerals processing, materials handling and cement processing solutions provider FLSmidth will have a number of technical specialists at its Electra Mining Africa (EMA) stand this year. These specialists will be able to discuss FLSmidth’s solutions offering in depth, as well as how the various technologies can be leveraged to optimise efficiencies and increase throughput where relevant.
Terence Osborn, sales and marketing manager – precious and base metals at FLSmidth, says the nature of visitors that EMA draws makes it the ideal platform on which to engage at an operational level, and will allow the company to unpack its various support options that are geared at reducing total cost of ownership.
“Crucial to the successful operation of any minerals processing and materials handling equipment is the level of support that is rendered. FLSmidth has technically competent and skilled Customer Service teams that interact directly with customers on site,” he says. “A significant aspect of our support offering is the ability to assess an individual plant and tailor a support programme that will enable customers to maximise sustainable operating practices.”
Osborn adds that by having FLSmidth’s technical staff on-hand at the exhibition, the company can help customers identify other areas where it can assist in optimising a plant by introducing new technology.
An example would be the Reflux Classifier (RC) which represents the latest in fine particle gravity based separation technology. Already proven in gravity-based separation engineering in Asia, Australia, North America and Africa, the RC is the next generation of fine coal and mineral processing equipment and is more efficient and compact than competing fine coal and mineral processing equipment such as spirals, up-current classifiers and teeter bed separators.
“Another technology that we have successfully applied is the VXPmill. This has established a benchmark in the regrind of gold flotation concentrates resulting in significantly increased gold recovery. This technology will be particularly important now and into the future since ore grades are declining and minerals becoming more finely disseminated within the ore. Successful recovery hinges on liberation of the minerals and convention grinding technologies are not able to efficiently achieve the fine product sizes required,” Osborne says.
“Another solid example of how FLSmidth’s ongoing research and development has benefited the minerals processing sector is the nextSTEP rotor/stator. This combination represents the newest design in forced-air flotation technology and offers major advantages. The design of the stator was reinvented in the development of the nextSTEP, and slots were added to the stator, making energy dissipation more uniform resulting in a higher probability of bubble particle contact during the flotation process.”
Osborn adds that reducing energy consumption is a prime topic on mines today and through the use of more effective dewatering technology energy consumption can be dramatically reduced.
“FLSmidth has a broad product range suitable for sedimentation, filtration and drying technologies. Access to this wide range, together with our expert personnel, enables us to structure a fit-for-purpose solution that will meet individual application needs. With the many different in-house technologies available, we can help ensure selection of the best solution in each unique case.”
A solution that has been proven internationally by FLSmidth and that will allow mining companies to reduce their environmental impact is the dry stacking of tailings. This is used instead of the traditional wet tailings depositional facility and is particularly suitable for arid climates where water is scarce.
One of the main attractions on the FLSmidth stand at EMA will be specially developed holograms which illustrate a coal plant and a flotation concentrator plant. These three dimensional images will allow interaction with technical personnel who will be able to explain the various technologies used.
Physical products on the display will include FLSmidth’s Meshcape screen media product range which will be showcased on a demonstration table where visitors can see the ease with which these screen panels can be removed and replaced without affecting the fixing arrangement, as well as a 3D printed model of a Krebs UMD pump. This newly designed heavy duty slurry pump has been engineered to ensure optimum wear life while still maintaining the highest efficiency.
