Practical Geometallurgy for Mineral Processors Workshop

The optimization of the minerals value chain is a holistic approach towards more economically and environmentally sustainable operations.

The concept is based on value creation over the whole mining and mineral processing chain. The value of this is demonstrated with the mine to mill approach for optimized throughput, and the mine to metals approach for optimized metal recovery and revenue.

Ore to metals optimization combines the use of mineralogical data, geometallurgical modelling and powerful advanced process simulation from minerals to final payable metals. The optimization process uses detailed geometallurgical characterization of the ore domains and concentrator plant models integrated as a digital plant that simulates the kinetic behavior of mineral particles in beneficiation processes for each ore type and plant operating scenario. The Smart Tag system provides a concrete means of tracking the ore from the mine to the plant and is the key tool for establishing an integrated GeoMetso software solution which enables continuous updating of the geometallurgical block model with real-time measurements to improve predictions in throughput, recovery and revenue.

This interactive workshop provides insight into the tools and methodologies available, including Metso Outotec’s Smart Tag system, and the GeoMetso and HSC software solutions. The advanced use of Metso Outotec HSC Chemistry software modules is demonstrated with some hands-on practical case examples. These exercises include the use of the HSC Chemistry modules and mineral database that carry out functions such as element-to-mineral conversion, and ore type-based concentrator simulations integrated with Net Smelter Return and Operating Cost calculations.

Workshop Presenters:

Dr. Jussi Liipo, Director, Geometallurgy & Mineralogy, MAusIMM (CP). Jussi is a process mineralogist with 25 years of experience in the mining and metals industry. He holds a Ph.D. degree on Geology and Mineralogy from the University of Oulu, Finland, and is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and Chartered Professional under the discipline of geology.

Dr. Antti Remes, Technology Advisor – Process Modeling and Simulation. Antti has been working with mineral processing applications for more than 15 years. Antti specializes in flotation modelling and plant design. He is one of the scientific advisors and developers behind the HSC Sim process modeling software. Antti holds a Ph.D. degree from the Helsinki University of Technology, Finland.

Mr. Joe Zhou, Senior Advisor, Mineralogy and Geometallurgy, PGeo., Joe is a process mineralogist and geometallurgist with over 30 years of experience in R&D, commercial testing, and consulting for the minerals industry. Joe has authored and co-authored over 50 publications and organized a number of workshops in the past years. He is a licensed Professional Geoscientist and QP in Ontario, Canada.

Suzanne Lynch-Watson, Director – Optimisation & Lab Services. Suzanne is a Chemical Engineer by education and has over 30 years’ experience in the mining industry, working in design, commissioning and optimization of mineral processing plants globally. She also has extensive experience in delivering training to undergraduates and industry professionals. Based in Brisbane, Australia, she manages a global team who deliver process improvement projects from Drill and Blast to Flotation.

David Di Sandro, Business Development Manager – Expert Services. David has been in the Minerals Processing Industry for more than 30 years. He was educated at the JCU in North Queensland and has since attained a Masters in Mineral Processing from the University of Queensland. With experience spanning from mining operations to consulting services, he brings expertise in flotation, modelling, optimization, metallurgical test work, flowsheet design, and application chemistry.

Michael Wortley, Manager – Ore Tracking Systems. Michael is an Electrical Engineer with over 20 years’ experience in mining and minerals processing instrumentation, R&D and process control. He was one of the inventors of the SmartTag RFID ore tracking system and has extensive experience working with ore tracking for Geometallurgical studies. He is based in Brisbane, Australia.