Introduction

Mineral processing

Mineral processing involves the use of physical processes to manipulate ore particle size, and concentrate valuable minerals using the processes of separation, based on such properties of the ore, as density, chemical composition, electrostatic, magnetic or fluorescence properties. A good example of a separation process is froth flotation.

Also of interest to the mineral processor is the separation of mineral solids from water and aqueous solutions by thickening, filtering and drying.

Pyrometallurgy

Pyrometallurgy involves the treatment of ores at high temperature to convert ore minerals to raw metals, or intermediate compounds for further refining. Roasting, smelting and converting are the most common pyrometallurgical processes.

A roasting process is used to extract metals from sulfide ores: in this process the ore is heated in the presence of oxygen and the sulfur is oxidised and driven off as sulfur dioxide. Some metals in this process remain in the sulfide form, while other metals are turned into an oxide form. The desired metal may be in either product.

Oxidative smelting and converting are similar to the roasting process, but differ slightly in the way that the processes' temperatures are high enough to promote melting of materials. Some minerals are more resistant to oxidation, so they remain in the sulfide form, while other minerals are completely oxidized and form compounds with additives, often called flux. Molten sulfides and oxide compounds split in two layers because of the different specific weights.

The byproducts created in these operations, sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide, are major pollutants.

Hydrometallurgy

Hydrometallurgy involves the use of aqueous solutions to extract metals or compounds from their ores. Some of the hydrometallurgical processes include leaching, precipitation of insoluble compounds, pressure reduction. Biohydrometallurgy is a sub topic of hydrometallurgy.

Leaching is a process for chemical dissolution of the desired minerals in aqueous solutions. Due to the difference in the dissolution rates, it is possible to separate the compounds of different metals. Often, some oxidative reagents need to be added to promote leaching.

Course Benefits

This course is designed to fill an important educational void within the mineral industry. This course provides a one-day opportunity for non-metallurgists to learn the basic elements of the theory and practices.

Participants will learn about the practical applications of metallurgical principles and methods used in mineral processing operations. They will have the opportunity to upgrade their knowledge in the extractive metallurgy and discuss issues they encountered with their plant processes. The course assumes no prior knowledge and will treat the subjects in sufficient detail to provide a very good understanding of metallurgy.

Speaker

Damian Connelly - Director/Principal Consulting Engineer
Mineral Engineering Technical Services
Damian has over 40 years experience as a Consulting Metallurgist. He has extensive experience in the gold, copper, lead, zinc, uranium and iron ore industries. His field of expertise lies in plant operations, feasibility studies, detailed design, and commissioning. He has been involved in many projects including engineering, audit, due diligence, tenders and expert witness work.

METS' training courses have been run both in Australia and overseas, and are highly regarded.

Who Should Attend?

The course is designed to instill key knowledge of the Resource Sector to mining executives, project managers, geologist, senior mine and processing plant operating staff, engineers and researchers. The course can also benefit training providers, suppliers to resource industry, technologist, accountants, brokers and investors.

The course will be conducted by Damian Connelly, a consulting metallurgist with over 35 years experience. The course covers basic theoretical aspects, practical procedures commonly being used and looks at case histories highlighting best practices and potential pitfalls that could affect resource projects.

Course Programme

• Mineral Processing
  • Crushing
  • Grinding
  • Ore dressing
  • Flotation
  • Magnetic separation
  • Thickening
  • Filtering
• Pyrometallurgy
  • Roasting
  • Smelting
  • Fuels
  • Thermodynamics
  • Slags and mattes
  • Gas handling, etc.
• Hydrometallurgy
  • Leaching
  • Precipitation
  • Electrowinning
  • Bio-metallurgy, etc.
• Other Topics
  • Sampling
  • Assaying
  • Metallurgical Accounting
  • Process control

Testimonials

"Very Valuable course, got a lot out of it thanks"

“Once again a very informative and well presented course”

“very comprehensive”

“I enjoy the courses held by METS as I have a processing background – everything covered is explained to me in more depth!”

“Great, well done!”

  Click here to download our Metallurgy for Non-Metallurgists Course Brochure