Optiro - Understanding Mineral Processing for non-metallurgists

This 1-day course has been especially designed for engineers, geologists, mineralogists, environmental scientists, plant operators, marketers, financial advisors and anyone who either deals with mineral processing (extractive metallurgy) or would like to have a better understanding of the principles of extractive metallurgy. The course 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.

Course content:
Definition of Mineral Processing
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 – Various – Comminution.

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 - Gravity and Density (wet and dry) – Jigs – Cyclones - Heavy Medium Separation - Physical Processes (wet and dry) - Flotation (Process, Circuits and Surface Chemistry) Magnetic and Electrostatic Separation.
Chemical Processes (Hydrometallurgy): Leaching - Chemistry and Reaction Kinetics - Leaching Processes - 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 Optimisation Section (For example Gold, BMS, PGM, Iron Ore, etc. specific): Process Flowsheet - Process Optimisation.

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.

The Presenter:
Dr Leon Lorenzen CPEng, CEng, PrEng, FIEAust, FAusIMM, FIChemE, FSAIMM, MAICD
Leon has more than 31 years of in-depth experience in mineral processing and chemical engineering. Leon started his career in the metallurgical and mineral processing industries, more specifically the gold and uranium industry where he spent most of his early career as a mineral processing engineer and research manager. Thereafter he worked as a researcher, lecturer, professor and manager (Dean) in the academic environment. Since moving to Australia, Leon has worked as Innovation Project Manager, Research Manager and Metallurgical Manager in the nickel industry, Group General Manager – Metallurgy and Corporate in a mining consulting company, and Executive Manager of Projects and Studies for an engineering company. Leon is currently the Executive Consultant for Lorenzen Consultants, an expert knowledge-based service provider. Apart from his practical experience, Leon has published 76 peer reviewed journal publications, 3 book chapters and 3 patents in the chemical engineering and metallurgical engineering literature. He has also presented his work at more than 250 international forums and conferences. Leon has chaired many conferences over the years, invited keynote speaker and been the editor of conference proceedings.

You can Register online using this link: https://www.optiro.com/training/understanding-mineral-processing-metallu...

Contact: Diana Titren - Training and Marketing Manager - dtitren@optiro.com