product news
54
07.13
In response to increased demand from its
customers for digital information optimised
for mobile devices, Sandvik Mining has
launched its Offering Guide, a new applica-
tion combining its diverse portfolio of inno-
vative products and solutions into one con-
venient and easy-to-use resource.
The range of Sandvik Mining equipment
and services is now available for iPad and
android mobile devices providing mining
companies and other users a comprehen-
sive reference anytime, anywhere.
Sandvik Mining modernised its existing
iPhone app, originally launched in March
2011, to the iPad version as uptake of the
popular touchscreen device continues to
increase.
“Our aim is to be able to serve our cus-
tomers’ needs at a moment’s notice, regard-
less of location, time zone or challenge,”
says Alice Ward, Marketeer Southern Africa
at Sandvik Mining.
The iPad app offers project managers,
foremen and equipment operators instant
offline access to a digital catalog of Sandvik
Mining equipment and services, whether un-
derground, at a temporary office or in transit.
App users can delve into 11 product
groups from an animated home screen of
a mine environment. Each group is easy to
navigate and features detailed product pag-
es that include up-to-date technical specifi-
cations and photos of everything from drill
rigs and rock tools to crushers and conveyor
components.
Embedded film clips and other forms of
instruction from real environments comple-
ment product information in the new app,
which also allows users to print and share
information when online.
The app can be downloaded at:
/
sandvik-mining-offering-guide/
id643885341?ls=1&mt=8
Swakop Uranium’s new counter current de-
cantation (CCD) circuit, designed and sup-
plied by FLSmidth for the mining company’s
new Husab project, will be the biggest of
its kind installed on the African continent
to date. Located near Swakopmund on the
west coast of Namibia, the Husab project is
the largest in-situ and highest grade, granite-
hosted uranium deposit in Namibia, and cur-
rently the third-largest uranium-only deposit
in the world.
Swakop Uranium is jointly owned by Tau-
rus Minerals Limited of Hong Kong (90 %)
and the Namibian state-owned mining com-
pany, Epangelo (10 %).
CCD thickener circuits are used to recov-
er soluble metal as pregnant liquor solution
from ore leach residue. The basis of CCD
operation is to concentrate suspended sol-
ids, thereby minimising liquor content in un-
derflow slurry that flows in one direction. The
underflow slurry liquor is then diluted with
wash liquor that flows in the opposite direc-
tion, while the suspended solids are concen-
Sandvik Mining offers ‘app’ for mobile devices
trated repeatedly. The amount of liquor in the
thickener underflow contributes to determin-
ing the number of CCD stages required to
recover the desired amount of soluble metal.
The scope of the FLSmidth order for the
Husab circuit comprises seven 40 m diam-
eter thickeners, of which one is a high density
pre-leach feed thickener and the other six are
high rate CCD thickeners. FLSmidth is also
supplying one 25 m diameter ADU (ammo-
nium diuranate) high rate thickener for instal-
lation further down the process.
“Based on our extensive experience in
CCD circuits and on test work we’ve con-
ducted on the leach feed, we were able to
propose smaller diameter thickeners than
the 50 m diameter units originally specified
by the client,” says Mark Sheward, FLSmidth
Minerals Business Development Manager.
“We were so confident that 40 m diameter
units would work better that we’ve offered
the client a process guarantee in this regard.
“Our latest test work campaign showed
that by using 40 m diameter high density
Husab CCD circuit will be biggest in Africa
thickeners with our proprietary P-Duc™
feed dilution system, both pre- and post-
leach slurries settled extremely quickly and
reached the desired underflows in a very
short period of time. Effectively, this means
that we can achieve higher rise rates – which
are the effect of reducing thickener diameter
– while still achieving the required underflow
residence times.
“There are several benefits arising from
this option, including a reduced overall capi-
tal cost of the thickeners and reduced site
erection time which is associated with cost
savings and may also assist in achieving an
earlier plant commissioning date,” he con-
tinues. “In addition, the raw material costs
associated with 40 m diameter thickeners,
compared to 50 m diameter units, are signifi-
cantly less, considering that the material of
construction chosen for this installation is im-
ported LDX2404 duplex stainless steel capa-
ble of handling the acid leach. The civils will
also be completed faster with 40 m diameter
thickeners. The overall plant will be smaller,
resulting in savings on piping, walkways, pipe
rack and services.
“Ultimately we’re looking at saving up to a
third of the costs calculated for the original
thickeners specified and probably the same
amount on the civils and installation costs.”
FLSmidth’s P-Duc™ feed dilution system
is the next generation of forced dilution tech-
nology and has been designed to offer all the
advantages inherent in the company’s origi-
nal E-Duc
®
feed dilution system, as well as
the ability to optimise the feed dilution over a
wide range of feed stream densities.
The company’s e-volute feedwell system
arrangement will also be utilised on the Hus-
ab project, offering a number of advantages,
such as minimising floc shear and achieving
an even spread of material throughout the
surface area.
FLSmidth will deliver units to the Husab
project between April and August 2014 and
will provide technical and commissioning as-
sistance. Operational and strategic spares
are included in the contract.
Terence Osborn, FLSmidth,
tel (+27 10) 210-4820
Aerial view of a typical CCD thickener circuit installation.
