PROCESS CONTROL John Chadwick looks at new ... - InfoMine
PROCESS CONTROL John Chadwick looks at new ... - InfoMine
PROCESS CONTROL John Chadwick looks at new ... - InfoMine
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
<strong>PROCESS</strong> <strong>CONTROL</strong><br />
Process control<br />
<strong>John</strong> <strong>Chadwick</strong> <strong>looks</strong> <strong>at</strong> <strong>new</strong> technologies, recent examples of success in the plant,<br />
improving recoveries, reducing chemical inputs and outputs, and other advances<br />
aimed <strong>at</strong> making mineral processing more efficient<br />
“ Mintek is currently supporting more<br />
than 100 advanced process<br />
control (APC) install<strong>at</strong>ions<br />
worldwide, the largest concentr<strong>at</strong>ion of<br />
which is on the African continent,” explains<br />
Dr Dave Hulbert, Manager of Mintek’s<br />
Measurement and Control Division. “Our<br />
Star Control System (StarCS) is a widely<br />
applicable software pl<strong>at</strong>form with modules<br />
aimed specifically <strong>at</strong> metallurgical processes.<br />
Mintek has developed specific solutions on<br />
the StarCS pl<strong>at</strong>form to address typical mineralprocessing<br />
control challenges in the areas of<br />
milling (MillStar), flot<strong>at</strong>ion (Flo<strong>at</strong>Star),<br />
furnaces (FurnStar) and leaching (LeachStar).”<br />
Mintek’s first LeachStar system for gold<br />
circuits went to Anglogold Ashanti’s Mponeng<br />
mine near Carltonville, about 60 km from<br />
Johannesburg, recently. The LeachStar<br />
process control system was successfully<br />
integr<strong>at</strong>ed with the existing instrument<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
of the mine’s gold tre<strong>at</strong>ment plant. Install<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
of this technology has resulted in improved<br />
plant stability and substantial savings in the<br />
use of cyanide and flocculent.<br />
“The install<strong>at</strong>ion of LeachStar enabled<br />
Mponeng gold plant to achieve two of its<br />
main objectives: a steady feed from the<br />
thickeners to the leach, and significant savings<br />
in reagent usage as a result of improved control<br />
and field measurement failure correction,” said<br />
Rudi Steyn, Plant Manager. “In the past,<br />
when the field instrument failed, the default<br />
condition was to add excess reagent.<br />
However, using LeachStar the default is<br />
based on th<strong>at</strong> day’s historical process<br />
requirements, which elimin<strong>at</strong>es spiking of<br />
reagents. An added bonus is th<strong>at</strong> the <strong>new</strong><br />
system has also gre<strong>at</strong>ly improved carbon<br />
management.”<br />
Gareth Smith, Control Engineer Leaching,<br />
Milling and Flot<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>at</strong> Mintek explains the:<br />
“LeachStar suite of controllers incorpor<strong>at</strong>es<br />
leading technology to optimize the performance<br />
of the various process units found on the<br />
gold circuits, including thickeners, leaching<br />
and carbon circuits.”<br />
Apart from being an expensive but vital<br />
28 Intern<strong>at</strong>ional Mining AUGUST 2006<br />
part of the gold extraction process, the use<br />
of cyanide must, of course, be carefully<br />
monitored and controlled for safety and<br />
environmental reasons.<br />
Mintek recently commissioned a FurnStar<br />
MinstralTM control system for submerged-arc<br />
furnaces to optimize the smelting process on<br />
the <strong>new</strong> No. 4 furnace <strong>at</strong> Hernic<br />
Ferrochrome, near Brits in Northwestern<br />
Province, South Africa. The furnace, a closed<br />
unit th<strong>at</strong> employs Outokumpu technology, is<br />
the largest ferrochromium furnace in the<br />
southern hemisphere, with a power r<strong>at</strong>ing of<br />
78 MVA.<br />
“All four of the furnaces <strong>at</strong> Hernic are<br />
now under Minstral control,” said Paul<br />
Brereton Stiles, head of Mintek’s Furnace<br />
Control in the Measurement and Control<br />
Division. “The first controller was installed<br />
on the 37 MVA No. 1 furnace in 1996, and<br />
subsequent install<strong>at</strong>ions followed on the<br />
second (37 MVA) and third (54 MVA) furnaces,<br />
and now the fourth.”<br />
“Hernic has, after ten years’ experience<br />
with Minstral, only the highest appreci<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
for the capabilities and benefits of the<br />
control system, confidence in the technology<br />
applied, and the after sales service. We had<br />
no doubt in trusting Minstral for controlling<br />
our <strong>new</strong>est and biggest furnace”, said<br />
Anglogold Ashanti’s Mponeng Gold Plant near<br />
Carltonville, about 60km from Johannesburg,<br />
where Mintek’s LeachStar advanced process<br />
control system for gold circuits has been installed<br />
with significant benefits to the client.<br />
Hannes Visser, Production Manager <strong>at</strong> Hernic.<br />
“With large transformers such as those on<br />
the Hernic furnace, and restrictions on<br />
excessive electrode movement, the ability to<br />
carry out effective differential tapping is a<br />
major advantage of the Minstral system. For<br />
a furnace of this size under balanced load<br />
conditions, differentially tapping the<br />
transformers can increase the power input<br />
by up to 1.5 MW, and under unbalanced<br />
conditions by more than 5 MW (10%),<br />
compared with conventional balanced<br />
tap-position control,” explained Stiles.<br />
The Minstral control system optimizes<br />
oper<strong>at</strong>ion of submerged-arc furnaces by<br />
means of a p<strong>at</strong>ented resistance algorithm,<br />
enabling stable oper<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>at</strong> optimal power.<br />
Typical benefits of Minstral control include:<br />
■ Improved power input (MWh)<br />
■ Lower specific energy use (MWh/t)<br />
■ Improved load factor<br />
■ Reduced electrode consumption<br />
■ Reduced electrode breakages<br />
■ Improved recovery.
“Minstral integr<strong>at</strong>es<br />
with the existing plant<br />
autom<strong>at</strong>ion infrastructure<br />
via a central PLC. The<br />
system uses measurements<br />
from the primary<br />
side of the transformers,<br />
which are inherently more<br />
accur<strong>at</strong>e than other<br />
measurements and explicitly<br />
avoids the need for an<br />
electrode-to-hearth voltage<br />
measurement, which is both<br />
problem<strong>at</strong>ic and inaccur<strong>at</strong>e,”<br />
concluded Stiles.<br />
There are over 90<br />
install<strong>at</strong>ions of the<br />
Minstral controller worldwide,<br />
with the l<strong>at</strong>est<br />
including DSCL in India,<br />
Pechiney in France, and two <strong>at</strong> Assmang’s<br />
C<strong>at</strong>o Ridge plant in South Africa. Forthcoming<br />
install<strong>at</strong>ions will include units on the first two<br />
63 MVA furnaces <strong>at</strong> the Xstr<strong>at</strong>a-Merafe<br />
Project Lion ferrochromium joint venture,<br />
which are due to be commissioned <strong>at</strong> the<br />
end of 2006.<br />
Also in southern Africa, Citect, one of the<br />
world’s largest, real-time intelligence and<br />
industrial autom<strong>at</strong>ion software companies, is<br />
helping Namdeb, a partnership between the<br />
Namibian Government and De Beers, optimize<br />
its diamond recovery process. Citect worked<br />
with Namdeb’s plant and oper<strong>at</strong>ions<br />
management to ensure a highly efficient,<br />
low cost extraction process – always important<br />
in diamond recovery, but especially so when<br />
you are the biggest exporter, with diamond<br />
exports accounting for more than 30% of<br />
Namibia’s total exports and 10% of its GDP.<br />
The Elizabeth Bay plant has a throughput<br />
of 3-4 Mt/y of diamond-bearing m<strong>at</strong>erial.<br />
The company chose CitectSCADA to monitor<br />
and control the processes from the primary<br />
crushers to the diamond recovery plant. The<br />
Elizabeth Bay Liber<strong>at</strong>ion plant is now fully<br />
autom<strong>at</strong>ed to reduce oper<strong>at</strong>ing costs. In<br />
addition, the plant has implemented<br />
CitectSCADA Reports to improve production<br />
reporting.<br />
“Citect’s scalability facilit<strong>at</strong>es future plant<br />
upgrades and expansion without requiring<br />
modific<strong>at</strong>ions to the existing hardware or<br />
software. Its’ single global d<strong>at</strong>abase simplifies<br />
SCADA software management by allowing<br />
changes to be made <strong>at</strong> a single point th<strong>at</strong><br />
are immedi<strong>at</strong>ely upd<strong>at</strong>ed <strong>at</strong> all Citect st<strong>at</strong>ions,”<br />
says Ian Holl, Namdeb Project Manager.<br />
08/06<br />
In the control tower <strong>at</strong> Namdeb, from which<br />
Sask<strong>at</strong>chewan, Canada,<br />
facilities. A control system<br />
CitectSCADA monitors and controls the processes from upgrade <strong>at</strong> the Rabbit<br />
the primary crushers to the diamond recovery plant. Lake mill, the longestoper<strong>at</strong>ing<br />
uranium processing<br />
oper<strong>at</strong>ion in Canada, will<br />
use I/A Series autom<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
in the acid plant and<br />
powerhouse. These are<br />
the first implement<strong>at</strong>ions<br />
in a phased programme<br />
th<strong>at</strong> will next deploy<br />
Foxboro controls replacing<br />
outd<strong>at</strong>ed equipment for<br />
the remaining milling<br />
processes.<br />
The Rabbit Lake mill<br />
currently processes<br />
uranium ore from the<br />
local Eagle Point<br />
The project consists of 45,000 I/O tags orebody. In future, the mill will also process<br />
and takes advantage of CitectSCADA’s fully uranium from the Cigar Lake mine. The <strong>new</strong><br />
redundant distributed architecture. Namdeb Invensys autom<strong>at</strong>ion system will replace<br />
also benefits from CitectSCADA’s distributed legacy controls for the milling processes. The<br />
trending system th<strong>at</strong> handles large numbers implement<strong>at</strong>ion will include I/A Series<br />
of variables without compromising performance Version 8 hardware and software, distributed<br />
or d<strong>at</strong>a integrity. Citect’s own programming field mounted control processors in fault-<br />
language, Cicode, provides Namdeb with<br />
control of all the<br />
elements in its<br />
runtime system:<br />
tolerant configur<strong>at</strong>ion, all running on the<br />
real-time d<strong>at</strong>a, historical<br />
d<strong>at</strong>a, oper<strong>at</strong>or displays,<br />
sonic-drill.com<br />
alarms, trends, security<br />
and more.<br />
“Citect is very<br />
pleased to be part of<br />
this unique mine and<br />
its world-class project<br />
to enable the tre<strong>at</strong>ment<br />
SONIC<br />
of cemented, wet<br />
and/or clay rich ores.<br />
CitectSCADA enables<br />
Amazing Results<br />
Namdeb to monitor<br />
and control the<br />
processes to<br />
optimize oper<strong>at</strong>ions,”<br />
Ideal for<br />
Mineral<br />
Explor<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
Our p<strong>at</strong>ented sonic drill<br />
is the only drill th<strong>at</strong> can<br />
adds Wilhelm Swart,<br />
produce accur<strong>at</strong>e, undisturbed<br />
Managing Director for<br />
core samples from<br />
Citect Africa.<br />
unconsolid<strong>at</strong>ed mineral<br />
Cameco, the world’s<br />
leading uranium<br />
producer, has again<br />
selected Invensys<br />
deposits.<br />
Process Systems to SONIC DRILL CORPORATION<br />
implement a Foxboro<br />
Phone: 1.604.854.1383 Fax: 1.604. 854.1384<br />
autom<strong>at</strong>ion system <strong>at</strong><br />
one of its northern<br />
114 West Magnolia Street, Suite 400-120,<br />
Bellingham, WA USA 98225<br />
TECHNOLOGY<br />
AUGUST 2006 Intern<strong>at</strong>ional Mining 29
<strong>PROCESS</strong> <strong>CONTROL</strong><br />
award-winning I/A Series high-speed mesh<br />
control network. The system will accommod<strong>at</strong>e a<br />
variety of field I/O pl<strong>at</strong>forms; including HART<br />
combined analogue input and output<br />
signals, and serial connections to third-party<br />
devices. The I/A Series system will also<br />
interface with Modicon PLC systems using<br />
Foxboro’s l<strong>at</strong>est redundant field device<br />
system integr<strong>at</strong>or modules.<br />
The Invensys contract also includes<br />
configur<strong>at</strong>ion engineering assistance, start-up<br />
and commissioning field services and training.<br />
The Foxboro mesh network process control<br />
system backbone uses advanced commercial<br />
communic<strong>at</strong>ions technologies in robust<br />
industrial configur<strong>at</strong>ions. Providing highavailability,<br />
self-healing network performance,<br />
the mesh architecture can connect thousands<br />
of st<strong>at</strong>ions <strong>at</strong> d<strong>at</strong>a speeds up to one gigabit<br />
between network switches.<br />
The Rabbit Lake autom<strong>at</strong>ion project builds<br />
on the Invensys presence <strong>at</strong> Cameco’s facilities<br />
in Sask<strong>at</strong>chewan. The company’s largest<br />
uranium oper<strong>at</strong>ion, McArthur River mine,<br />
has used extensive I/A Series autom<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
since 1999. At Cigar Lake, Invensys is<br />
implementing a highly distributed control<br />
system for a <strong>new</strong> Cameco mine.<br />
Metallurgical control<br />
MIPAC has a strong reput<strong>at</strong>ion for providing<br />
end-user focused, process control,<br />
instrument<strong>at</strong>ion and electrical engineering<br />
services throughout the mineral processing<br />
world.<br />
Plants which have been modernising or<br />
expanding by adding or upgrading smelters,<br />
waste he<strong>at</strong> boilers, acid plants, oxygen<br />
plants, etc. in a single project have been<br />
<strong>at</strong>tracted to MIPAC’s proposals to integr<strong>at</strong>e<br />
the control of all these rel<strong>at</strong>ed plants under<br />
one control system (end-user’s choice).<br />
Whilst individual package plant suppliers will<br />
resist the involvement of a third party to<br />
implement the control of their plant there<br />
are undeniable advantages for the end-users<br />
to have all of their rel<strong>at</strong>ed plant areas oper<strong>at</strong>ing<br />
through a common control pl<strong>at</strong>form.<br />
30 Intern<strong>at</strong>ional Mining AUGUST 2006<br />
The principal advantages of a Plant Wide<br />
Control System (PWCS) to the end-users are:<br />
■ Same ‘look and feel’ for oper<strong>at</strong>or st<strong>at</strong>ions<br />
(irrespective of the process), providing ease of<br />
training and flexibility in rot<strong>at</strong>ion of oper<strong>at</strong>ors<br />
■ Standard configur<strong>at</strong>ion techniques across<br />
all plants, providing ease of maintenance<br />
and modific<strong>at</strong>ion of logic across all areas<br />
■ Removal of project risk as the control system<br />
is supplied by a control system specialist as a<br />
fully integr<strong>at</strong>ed package<br />
■ Commonality of spares<br />
MIPAC has completed a number of large<br />
PWCS projects starting with the Sterlite<br />
Industries copper smelting complex in<br />
Tuticorin, India back in the mid 1990s and<br />
continuing with the Mount Isa Mines lead<br />
smelter and Ernest Henry copper concentr<strong>at</strong>or.<br />
The l<strong>at</strong>est project is the award-winning<br />
Mopani Mufulira copper smelter in Zambia.<br />
Mopani Copper Mines is a fully integr<strong>at</strong>ed<br />
copper production plant in northern Zambia<br />
and has underground mines, concentr<strong>at</strong>ors,<br />
a smelter and a refinery. Mopani adopted a<br />
PWCS approach proposed by MIPAC and<br />
Xstr<strong>at</strong>a Technology as part of its major<br />
smelter upgrade project. This upgrade<br />
increases the plant capacity from 420,000 to<br />
650,000 t/y of copper.<br />
Tapping molten ferrochromium from the<br />
furnace <strong>at</strong> Hernic Ferrochrome in South Africa.<br />
MIPAC worked directly with five vendors<br />
from four countries and lead the design,<br />
specific<strong>at</strong>ion, configur<strong>at</strong>ion and commissioning<br />
of a full plant-wide control system for the<br />
following areas:<br />
■ Isasmelt smelting furnace and waste he<strong>at</strong><br />
boiler<br />
■ Oxygen and sulphuric acid plants<br />
■ Electric furnace<br />
■ Feed prepar<strong>at</strong>ion and m<strong>at</strong>erials handling<br />
■ Services and utilities<br />
MIPAC also developed the plant-wide<br />
measurement and control standards for the<br />
whole project. MIPAC undertook the<br />
detailed instrument design for the Isasmelt<br />
plant and the waste he<strong>at</strong> boiler as well as<br />
completing the electrical design and<br />
procurement specific<strong>at</strong>ion for an<br />
associ<strong>at</strong>ed low voltage motor control centre.<br />
The client’s engineers (Mopani) were also<br />
trained by MIPAC in the maintenance and<br />
configur<strong>at</strong>ion of the control system.<br />
The technical highlights of the project<br />
include the strong focus MIPAC applied to<br />
delivering a simple, robust and consistent<br />
package to the oper<strong>at</strong>ing and maintenance<br />
groups on site. MIPAC needed to transfer<br />
knowledge from multiple technology providers<br />
into a common control system and it needed
We are committed to increasing your<br />
productivity and energy effi ciency.<br />
© Copyright 2006 ABB.<br />
Industrial productivity through ABB<br />
To power your oper<strong>at</strong>ion while lowering consumption we<br />
provide you with stable, highly effi cient electrical energy supply,<br />
distribution and conditioning. To increase employee productivity<br />
and engineering effi ciency, we offer you powerful integr<strong>at</strong>ed<br />
control systems. To improve dynamic performance and cut the power losses of your<br />
mill, we provide you with st<strong>at</strong>e-of-the-art drive systems. To ensure environmental<br />
compliance, reduce product standard devi<strong>at</strong>ion and increase production, apply our<br />
expert and optimiz<strong>at</strong>ion solutions. Maximize the return on project investment through<br />
our vast knowledge, know-how and extensive experience. Using quality ABB products<br />
helps you achieve industry leading productivity.<br />
Visit us <strong>at</strong> www.abb.com/minerals
<strong>PROCESS</strong> <strong>CONTROL</strong><br />
to ‘fast track’ this activity as the control system<br />
was on the critical p<strong>at</strong>h for the project.<br />
Project costs were reduced through<br />
economical project implement<strong>at</strong>ion by one<br />
group with minimised design group interfaces.<br />
Efficient and cost effective ongoing<br />
control system maintenance was achieved<br />
through commonality of equipment and<br />
consistency of design.<br />
In mid 2006 MIPAC was also awarded the<br />
task of providing a PWCS solution for the<br />
planned upgrade to the Doe Run Peru La<br />
Oroya copper smelter, which will also use<br />
the Xstr<strong>at</strong>a Technology Isasmelt technology.<br />
One of the world’s largest, most costeffective<br />
integr<strong>at</strong>ed zinc and lead smelting<br />
complexes was the first Canadian site to use<br />
M<strong>at</strong>rikon’s ProcessDoctor. Zinc concentr<strong>at</strong>e is<br />
converted to zinc calcine by burning the<br />
concentr<strong>at</strong>e in fluid bed roasters. After<br />
discharging from the roasters, calcine is<br />
cooled, passed through a ball mill and<br />
pneum<strong>at</strong>ically transported to the leach plant<br />
where the calcine, leach solutions and return<br />
acid are mixed in agit<strong>at</strong>ed tanks and<br />
controlled to a varied pH from 1.7 to 3.8. In<br />
the first stage, zinc is dissolved into a clear<br />
sulph<strong>at</strong>e solution for tre<strong>at</strong>ment in the zinc<br />
dust purific<strong>at</strong>ion circuit. In the second stage,<br />
iron precipit<strong>at</strong>es as goethite, and along with<br />
germanium and silica gently settles to the<br />
bottom of the solution.<br />
ProcessDoctor takes advantage of the<br />
l<strong>at</strong>est d<strong>at</strong>a analysis technology to provide an<br />
effective tool to monitor and diagnose the<br />
health of control loops. Control oper<strong>at</strong>ors<br />
and engineers are able to scan for poorly<br />
performing control loops and carry out<br />
diagnostic checks to determine the causes of<br />
poor performance. Maintenance efforts can<br />
then be focused on those control loops th<strong>at</strong><br />
have the gre<strong>at</strong>est impact on plant profitability.<br />
“One of the critical steps in zinc production<br />
is the pH bump between the first and second<br />
stage,” st<strong>at</strong>ed a senior process control<br />
engineer on the project. “Lab tests have<br />
determined th<strong>at</strong> this particular pH bump<br />
from 1.7 to 3.8 is the ideal profile to<br />
promote proper precipit<strong>at</strong>ion.”<br />
For this reason the acid leaching unit was<br />
chosen for a control audit using ProcessDoctor.<br />
Control d<strong>at</strong>a was collected to determine the<br />
potential to improve pH control. Low<br />
performance indices indic<strong>at</strong>ed a high<br />
potential to improve regul<strong>at</strong>ion. Performance<br />
assessment of the d<strong>at</strong>a revealed th<strong>at</strong><br />
controller tuning was the source of the<br />
problem. ProcessDoctor helped prioritize<br />
32 Intern<strong>at</strong>ional Mining AUGUST 2006<br />
A MIPAC engineer<br />
working with an<br />
engineer from<br />
Mopani Copper<br />
Mines inside the<br />
Mufulira control<br />
room<br />
process control activities by focusing <strong>at</strong>tention<br />
toward control loops th<strong>at</strong> exhibited low<br />
performance indices. Appropri<strong>at</strong>e tuning changes<br />
were recommended and then implemented<br />
based on ProceessDoctor’s loop diagnosis.<br />
“Nobody recognized th<strong>at</strong> there was room<br />
for improvement in acid leaching control<br />
until we went in with ProcessDoctor,” said a<br />
senior control engineer. “We didn’t realize<br />
th<strong>at</strong> the control was oscill<strong>at</strong>ing. Part of the<br />
problem was th<strong>at</strong> the oscill<strong>at</strong>ions were not<br />
apparent on the DCS system. They only<br />
became noticeable once we plotted the d<strong>at</strong>a<br />
in a package with high-definition graphics.<br />
When you start doing performance<br />
assessment, this tool helps you ask the right<br />
questions. It gets you pointed in the right<br />
direction. And once you’ve made the<br />
changes, ProcessDoctor helps you assess the<br />
value of the changes you’ve made.”<br />
As a result of the ProcessDoctor control<br />
audit, changes were made in the control<br />
str<strong>at</strong>egy. “Acting upon the recommend<strong>at</strong>ions<br />
of the control loop audit report, we managed<br />
to reduce pH variance in stages one and two<br />
of acid leaching by almost 90%,” st<strong>at</strong>ed the<br />
control engineer.<br />
The performance of control loops is the<br />
basis of optimal process oper<strong>at</strong>ions. The<br />
stabiliz<strong>at</strong>ion of str<strong>at</strong>egic variables is essential<br />
to bring a process to its maximum profitability.<br />
However, the large amount of control loops<br />
in a plant can make their tuning and<br />
management difficult. Without a rigorous<br />
follow-up <strong>at</strong> this level, industrial processes<br />
are generally not oper<strong>at</strong>ed <strong>at</strong> their optimum<br />
and do not reach the expected yields.<br />
Another Algosys product, Control Loop<br />
AttendantTM monitors plants’ control loops in<br />
real-time, which allows the prevention of<br />
inadequ<strong>at</strong>e process oper<strong>at</strong>ions and anticip<strong>at</strong>ion of<br />
equipment-rel<strong>at</strong>ed problems. Applic<strong>at</strong>ions include:<br />
■ Process control management and<br />
performance monitoring programmes<br />
■ Control loop and benchmarking audits<br />
■ Prioritiz<strong>at</strong>ion and justific<strong>at</strong>ion of<br />
maintenance and optimiz<strong>at</strong>ion interventions<br />
■ Predictive maintenance programmes<br />
■ Knowledge base development.<br />
Honeywell, a major player in this market,<br />
says its Experion Process Knowledge<br />
System (PKS) solutions address needs <strong>at</strong> all<br />
production stages. Its solutions help achieve<br />
consistent quality, higher yields, increased<br />
throughput, and reduced oper<strong>at</strong>ing costs.<br />
Experion can s<strong>at</strong>isfy a broad range of<br />
requirements for integr<strong>at</strong>ed process and<br />
discrete-machine control, including a full<br />
range of measurement and control products,<br />
advanced applic<strong>at</strong>ion solutions, collabor<strong>at</strong>ive<br />
production management systems, and<br />
comprehensive services and support.<br />
Honeywell can support process control<br />
with key applic<strong>at</strong>ions and services, including:<br />
■ Consulting and benchmarking services<br />
■ Experion control technology<br />
■ Plant integr<strong>at</strong>ion systems and services<br />
■ Advanced process control services and<br />
technologies<br />
■ Safety systems<br />
■ Systems to manage environmental<br />
impacts<br />
■ Network and integr<strong>at</strong>ion services.<br />
Honeywell says th<strong>at</strong> a standard<br />
Distributed Control System (DCS) solution<br />
only manages process, but its Experion PKS<br />
goes further by unifying assets, process, and<br />
people to improve business agility. “This<br />
proven, open, yet completely secure technology<br />
is built to scale, and helps manage<br />
everything from optimized yield to reduced<br />
maintenance costs by up to 30%.”
<strong>PROCESS</strong> <strong>CONTROL</strong><br />
Experion integr<strong>at</strong>es an advanced autom<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
pl<strong>at</strong>form and innov<strong>at</strong>ive software applic<strong>at</strong>ions<br />
to improve performance. The Experion<br />
pl<strong>at</strong>form provides innov<strong>at</strong>ive technologies to<br />
get the most out of a plant and to connect<br />
safely and securely with the business network.<br />
Like all companies, Alcoa struggles with<br />
the challenges of reducing waste while<br />
meeting demand and increasing plant<br />
efficiencies. A recent success was achieved<br />
with help from Pavilion Technologies. Since<br />
deploying Pavilion’s advanced process<br />
control (APC) solution on five kilns <strong>at</strong> the<br />
aluminium fluoride plant <strong>at</strong> Alcoa’s Point<br />
Comfort, Texas facility last year, Alcoa has<br />
decreased the amount of unreacted calcium<br />
fluoride by a factor of almost three and reduced<br />
the process variability in a critical downstream<br />
process by 75%. Alcoa anticip<strong>at</strong>es benefits<br />
of around $3.15 million/y. Point Comfort is<br />
one the largest producers of aluminium<br />
fluoride in the world, and is also one of the<br />
world’s largest producers of alumina – an<br />
alumina refining capacity of 2.3 Mt/y.<br />
Pavilion’s solution addresses the production<br />
of alumina fluoride, which is used as a fluxing<br />
agent of aluminium smelting. The project<br />
goal was to reduce the amount of calcium<br />
fluoride left in the gypsum co-product th<strong>at</strong><br />
discharges from the kilns, thus maximizing<br />
the use of the raw m<strong>at</strong>erial and enhancing<br />
the quality of the gypsum co-product. In just<br />
six months the company had deployed<br />
control solutions on five kilns and exceeded<br />
performance goals. As part of Pavilion’s<br />
ValueFirst initi<strong>at</strong>ive, Pavilion worked with the<br />
Alcoa team to evalu<strong>at</strong>e how the kiln control<br />
applic<strong>at</strong>ion would contribute to Alcoa’s key<br />
business objectives. Based on the analysis,<br />
Pavilion guaranteed a<br />
return on investment in<br />
12 months. The project<br />
exceeded this goal.<br />
A <strong>new</strong> CSIRO-owned<br />
spin-out company,<br />
Intalysis, has hit the<br />
ground running with<br />
multiple orders from<br />
BHP Billiton and other<br />
resource companies.<br />
Intalysis was spun out to<br />
commercialise the Low<br />
Frequency Microwave<br />
(LFM) Moisture Analyser<br />
- an on-line analysis<br />
instrument th<strong>at</strong> delivers<br />
continuous, accur<strong>at</strong>e<br />
measurements of<br />
34 Intern<strong>at</strong>ional Mining AUGUST 2006<br />
moisture in the most demanding bulk<br />
m<strong>at</strong>erials handling applic<strong>at</strong>ions. It is being<br />
used by oper<strong>at</strong>ors in the iron ore and coal<br />
industries to improve m<strong>at</strong>erial handling and<br />
environmental performance.<br />
Moisture control<br />
The Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal (DBCT) in<br />
Australia installed two Intalysis LFM Moisture<br />
Analysers to provide real-time moisture readings<br />
of unloaded coal on plant conveyors. They<br />
were calibr<strong>at</strong>ed against extensive ISO<br />
sampling, with calibr<strong>at</strong>ions obtained for 29<br />
different coal types. The unit is specifically<br />
designed to deliver accur<strong>at</strong>e, online<br />
measurements of moisture in continuous<br />
conveyor applic<strong>at</strong>ions. BHP Billiton Iron Ore<br />
is investing in multiple units as part of its<br />
moisture control str<strong>at</strong>egy for the Marra<br />
Mamba ore-types.<br />
The DBCT analysers delivered typical<br />
accuracies of 0.2-0.4%, (one standard<br />
devi<strong>at</strong>ion) across the DBCT coal types.<br />
Measurements were achieved <strong>at</strong> the highest<br />
tonnage r<strong>at</strong>es (up to 9,000 t/h) and<br />
auto-switching of calibr<strong>at</strong>ion curves via a<br />
plant interface was effectively demonstr<strong>at</strong>ed.<br />
Following a successful commissioning<br />
period, DBCT plans to use the analysers in<br />
control loops for autom<strong>at</strong>ed w<strong>at</strong>er addition.<br />
Similarly, Callidan Instruments’ Moistscan<br />
moisture analyser range is widely used and<br />
has proven to be very comp<strong>at</strong>ible with<br />
applic<strong>at</strong>ions within the nickel sector. Typically<br />
Moistscan achieves an instrument precision<br />
of 0.7% for products which have a moisture<br />
Example of an Algosys Control Loop Attendant<br />
applic<strong>at</strong>ion.<br />
range of 25% - 40%. Typical applic<strong>at</strong>ions include:<br />
■ De-w<strong>at</strong>ering circuits such as for the input<br />
to kiln dryers<br />
■ Plant feedback by analysing the output of<br />
the kiln dryer<br />
■ ROM applic<strong>at</strong>ions for metallurgical accounting<br />
■ Loading ports and train load outs for<br />
commercial and contractual purposes.<br />
One of the most recent examples of<br />
Moistscan’s accuracy was the analysis of its<br />
performance on site <strong>at</strong> Queensland Nickel<br />
(QNI). Loc<strong>at</strong>ed in Yabulu near Townsville,<br />
QNI is a subsidiary of BHP Billiton and refines<br />
l<strong>at</strong>erite nickel ore to a range of nickel products<br />
as well as producing cobalt.<br />
It is important the ore is dried to a consistent<br />
moisture level as vari<strong>at</strong>ions can lead to<br />
process instability and unnecessary losses.<br />
There is also a need for moisture measurement<br />
to obtain a mass balance and for metallurgical<br />
accounting purposes. The stockpiles are<br />
open to the we<strong>at</strong>her and hence vari<strong>at</strong>ion in<br />
moisture content on receipt <strong>at</strong> the drier.<br />
The Moistscan performance was verified<br />
by taking two samples from the conveyor<br />
and analyzing one sample in different<br />
labor<strong>at</strong>ories. This was then compared with<br />
the one minute rolling average of the<br />
Moistscan analyser. The conclusion was th<strong>at</strong><br />
the Moistscan displayed an equivalent<br />
accuracy to th<strong>at</strong> of either labor<strong>at</strong>ory.<br />
NDC has introduced a <strong>new</strong> model to its<br />
established 710 Series of on-line analysers.<br />
The <strong>new</strong> CM710 moisture gauge has been<br />
developed to provide reliable performance in<br />
mining’s harsh oper<strong>at</strong>ing environments.<br />
Mounted 250 mm above the product on<br />
the conveyor and able to measure over<br />
fluctu<strong>at</strong>ing product heights, and even<br />
discontinuous<br />
product flows using<br />
the optional High<br />
Speed G<strong>at</strong>ing<br />
system, the p<strong>at</strong>ented<br />
non-contacting<br />
NIR (near infrared)<br />
reflectance<br />
(backsc<strong>at</strong>ter) optics<br />
are designed for<br />
best accuracy and<br />
maximum long-term<br />
stability without ever<br />
needing to be<br />
recalibr<strong>at</strong>ed.<br />
The CM710<br />
displays the product<br />
moisture content on<br />
its full colour OI and
measurement outputs are available with a<br />
choice of form<strong>at</strong>s, from a scalable<br />
analogue output to full network<br />
connectivity (Profibus, Modbus Plus,<br />
DeviceNet, Ethernet) to enable integr<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
into PLCs or SCADA systems to provide<br />
closed-loop control of the drying process.<br />
Introducing closed-loop control based on the<br />
stable drift-free output of the CM710<br />
enables users to introduce energy savings<br />
whilst maintaining uniform product quality<br />
and elimin<strong>at</strong>ing the need for routine grab<br />
sampling for off-line testing.<br />
Advanced technology<br />
Finland’s IMA Engineering specializes in<br />
process control in mining. It is one of the<br />
leading suppliers of on-line xfr analyzer<br />
systems for industrial minerals and of on-line<br />
Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF) analyzer<br />
systems for rock identific<strong>at</strong>ion in mines. Mine<br />
control applic<strong>at</strong>ions cover mineral crushing,<br />
sorting, piling and homogenizing control with<br />
QuarCon on-line, on-belt analyzers. Rock<br />
identific<strong>at</strong>ion applic<strong>at</strong>ions with OreSpex on-line<br />
LIF-analyzers cover bulk sorting and blending,<br />
dilution and reagent dosage control.<br />
��������������������������������� ���������������������������������������� �������������������� ���������������������� ����������������������������� OreSpex has also been also used to<br />
measure very low phosphor contents in iron<br />
ore. The results show stability in the<br />
measurements, allowing accur<strong>at</strong>e detection<br />
in the processes.<br />
The IMACON 10 and IMACON 100<br />
on-stream elemental analyzers are used for<br />
dry powder and wet slurries. New fe<strong>at</strong>ures<br />
in IMACON 100 make it faster and easier<br />
to start-up and to work with. New software<br />
helps, especially the less-experienced<br />
users, to make it work and to maintain and<br />
service this on-line equipment. The <strong>new</strong><br />
measuring cell is designed for both heavy<br />
and light elements, and it has either<br />
standard thin Kapton window or the <strong>new</strong><br />
������<br />
���������<br />
���������<br />
������������� ��������������<br />
��������������������������������������������������������������������<br />
����������������������������������������������������������������������<br />
��������������������������������������������������������������������<br />
���������<br />
���������������������������������������<br />
��������������������<br />
08/06<br />
����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������<br />
AUGUST 2006 Intern<strong>at</strong>ional Mining 35
<strong>PROCESS</strong> <strong>CONTROL</strong><br />
exotic - durable - diamond co<strong>at</strong>ed Beryllium<br />
window.<br />
Machine health<br />
UK Coal has implemented a ‘Reliability<br />
Based Maintenance’ programme using<br />
Emerson Process Management Machinery<br />
Health Management technologies. In 2005,<br />
the programme prevented equipment<br />
failures th<strong>at</strong> would have resulted in a potential<br />
production loss of almost €1.5 million. The<br />
AMS Machinery Manager combines predictive<br />
maintenance techniques with analysis tools<br />
to enable easy and accur<strong>at</strong>e assessment of<br />
machinery health. At UK Coal, AMS<br />
AXIOS-MINERALS<br />
Consistent high<br />
quality XRF<br />
analysis<br />
36 Intern<strong>at</strong>ional Mining AUGUST 2006<br />
Machinery Manager documents, trends and<br />
communic<strong>at</strong>es all details of machinery<br />
health, using vibr<strong>at</strong>ion analysis, infrared<br />
thermography, oil analysis, ultrasonics, and<br />
motor diagnostics.<br />
Early this year, Emerson Process Management<br />
and OSIsoft, the leader in performance<br />
management software, announced availability<br />
of the PI Protocol Converter which continues<br />
connectivity of OSIsoft PI System and client<br />
applic<strong>at</strong>ions to Emerson’s DeltaV digital<br />
autom<strong>at</strong>ion system, a key component of the<br />
company’s PlantWeb ® digital plant architecture.<br />
The <strong>new</strong> PI Protocol Converter gives<br />
DeltaV owners a variety of options to integr<strong>at</strong>e<br />
Axios-Minerals - a <strong>new</strong> sequential WDXRF spectrometer<br />
designed designed to support the needs of users in the mining<br />
industry. industry. Ideal for applic<strong>at</strong>ions in production control<br />
and R & D, the system is designed to oper<strong>at</strong>e in harsh<br />
environments, environments, providing consistent high quality d<strong>at</strong>a across<br />
the complete elemental range in concentr<strong>at</strong>ions ranging<br />
from ppm to 100 wt%.<br />
Confi Configured gured with an integral X-Y sample handler, Axios-<br />
Minerals offers rapid and flexible fl exible oper<strong>at</strong>ion. W<strong>at</strong>er cooling<br />
ensures unm<strong>at</strong>ched stability. PANalytical SuperQ software<br />
combined with WROXI-standards makes method set-up<br />
and day-to-day measurement of up to 21 common oxides<br />
straightforward, even for inexperienced personnel.<br />
When environmental analysis is required the optional Pro-<br />
Trace package of standards and software delivers sub-ppm<br />
quantific<strong>at</strong>ion quantifi c<strong>at</strong>ion of trace elements with the same ease-of use.<br />
PANalytical quality means maximum uptime, and a fi rstclass<br />
support and maintenance network further ensures<br />
peace of mind, wherever you are in the world.<br />
For more inform<strong>at</strong>ion on how Axios-Minerals can work<br />
for you, visit www.panalytical.com or contact your local<br />
PANalytical specialist.<br />
PANalytical<br />
PO Box 13<br />
7600 AA Almelo<br />
The Netherlands<br />
T +31 (0) 546 534 444<br />
F +31 (0) 546 534 598<br />
info@panalytical.com<br />
www.panalytical.com<br />
their PI System and DeltaV environments,<br />
ranging from a single PI D<strong>at</strong>aLink connected<br />
to a ProfessionalPlus st<strong>at</strong>ion in a small plant,<br />
to a full PI Enterprise Server integr<strong>at</strong>ed into<br />
the larger DeltaV system implement<strong>at</strong>ions.<br />
OSIsoft delivers performance management<br />
software. With more than 10,000 install<strong>at</strong>ions<br />
worldwide, OSIsoft's real-time d<strong>at</strong>a pl<strong>at</strong>form<br />
crosses IT and process boundaries to incorpor<strong>at</strong>e<br />
and display oper<strong>at</strong>ional inform<strong>at</strong>ion.<br />
SKF’s CMPT Copperhead transmitter unit<br />
detects faults in mineral processing machinery.<br />
There are several types of vibr<strong>at</strong>ion signal<br />
process analyzers to monitor machines<br />
oper<strong>at</strong>ing below 40 rpm. Paired with SKF<br />
sensors or other industrial accelerometers,<br />
the unit can be applied to roll presses, kilns,<br />
travelling gr<strong>at</strong>es, screens, crushers, conveyors,<br />
fans and mills. The CTU digitally evalu<strong>at</strong>es<br />
machinery vibr<strong>at</strong>ion and provides a processed<br />
analogue signal to detect problems such as<br />
loose parts, imbalance, gear and bearing<br />
damage, and insufficient lubric<strong>at</strong>ion. The units<br />
fe<strong>at</strong>ure built-in acceler<strong>at</strong>ion enveloping, velocity,<br />
and acceler<strong>at</strong>ion analysis configur<strong>at</strong>ions. The CTU<br />
can be connected directly to existing autom<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
systems or be used as a stand-alone monitor<br />
and alarm. Multiple monitoring points can be<br />
interconnected to a PC.<br />
New alliances<br />
There is a recently formed worldwide str<strong>at</strong>egic<br />
alliance between Pavilion Technologies and<br />
mining/process engineering company, H<strong>at</strong>ch.<br />
The l<strong>at</strong>ter says it will provide its customers in<br />
mining with industry-specific solutions powered<br />
by Pavilion8 APC and performance<br />
management software. “The combin<strong>at</strong>ion of<br />
best-of-breed technology and H<strong>at</strong>ch industry<br />
expertise will further increase production,<br />
reduce costs, enhance product quality and<br />
reduce emissions.<br />
“H<strong>at</strong>ch and Pavilion bring the combin<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
of highly respected industry expertise and<br />
leading edge technology,” said Tom Fiske,<br />
Senior Analyst, Enterprise Applic<strong>at</strong>ions, ARC<br />
Advisory Group. “This partnership can help<br />
mining companies solve some of their<br />
toughest challenges and deliver value quickly.<br />
Progressive companies will benefit from the<br />
results-driven approach of these two firms.”<br />
H<strong>at</strong>ch’s capabilities include working with<br />
refractory and non-refractory ores and can<br />
extend processing through to smelting and<br />
refining. Leveraging Pavilion8 modelling,<br />
control, monitoring, analysis, visualiz<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
and integr<strong>at</strong>ion technologies will provide<br />
many advantages. “Clients of both partners
Let Let us us unlock your gold resources<br />
and and add add the the lustre<br />
FFt rom the ore Bwana to bullion Mkubwa and mine fine in gold, Zambia, B<strong>at</strong>eman the Engineering tackles any goldprocessing<br />
clarifiers minimise assignment crud – from form<strong>at</strong>ion preliminary in the test work and studies to bankable<br />
documents, downst 50 raising ppm of project suspended funding solids. and complete turnkey projects, covering<br />
all the processes needed for the effective recovery of gold.<br />
A low CAPEX plant.<br />
A gold-process plant <strong>at</strong> a heap leach oper<strong>at</strong>ion.<br />
Ball mills <strong>at</strong> a gold-process plant.<br />
A backfill plant on a gold mine.<br />
■ Ore handling and prepar<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
■ Feed prepar<strong>at</strong>ion – crushing, rod and ball milling,<br />
autogenous and semi-autogenous milling<br />
■ Leaching – heap and agit<strong>at</strong>ed vessel<br />
■ Pre-concentr<strong>at</strong>ion – flot<strong>at</strong>ion, dense-media separ<strong>at</strong>ion,<br />
gravity concentr<strong>at</strong>ion, photo- and radiometric sorting<br />
■ Refractory gold-ore tre<strong>at</strong>ment – roasting, bacterial and<br />
pressure oxid<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
■ Carbon processes – carbon-in-leach, carbon-in-pulp and<br />
carbon-in-solution<br />
■ Leach-liquor recovery – counter-current decant<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
and filtering<br />
■ Gold recovery from solution – electrowinning and<br />
zinc precipit<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
■ Gold-bullion refining – electrorefining, acid digestion,<br />
calcining, smelting and slag tre<strong>at</strong>ment<br />
■ Cyanide recovery and destruction<br />
■ M<strong>at</strong>erials-handling systems – conventional, overland and<br />
JPC (pipe) conveyors, feeders and backfill production systems<br />
■ Dust and air-pollution control systems – a comprehensive<br />
range including bag filters, scrubbers and cartridge filters.<br />
lexible contract structuring accommod<strong>at</strong>es projects large<br />
FF and small, for example reimbursable, EPCM, lump-sum,<br />
fixed fee or joint ventures.<br />
e are minerals-processing and m<strong>at</strong>erials-handling<br />
WW engineers and project managers, with in-house<br />
technology and the design capability to handle the largest<br />
turnkey projects. The B<strong>at</strong>eman Engineering Group’s track<br />
record numbers over 1,000 successful projects in more than<br />
50 countries since 1980. This includes over 60 gold-process<br />
plants and major modific<strong>at</strong>ions to existing plants worldwide.<br />
B<strong>at</strong>eman Engineering N.V.<br />
For your gold-processing requirements call us <strong>at</strong>:<br />
Tel: +27-11-899-9111<br />
Email: gold@B<strong>at</strong>emanEngineering.com<br />
Web: www.B<strong>at</strong>emanEngineering.com<br />
– process plants th<strong>at</strong> work
<strong>PROCESS</strong> <strong>CONTROL</strong><br />
will benefit from the insight gained from the<br />
perspectives of other industries regarding<br />
adoption of <strong>new</strong> technologies, including the<br />
inclusion of model predictive control in<br />
greenfield projects” added ARC’s Director of<br />
Research, Russ Novak.<br />
Pavilion’s mineral and mining solution is<br />
powered by the multi-variable, model<br />
predictive capability of Pavilion’s optimiz<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
and control software. Pavilion’s software<br />
enables manufacturers to control and<br />
optimize key production variables, resulting<br />
in increased production, increased yield, and<br />
decreased energy consumption.<br />
Fluent, which claims to be the world<br />
leader in comput<strong>at</strong>ional fluid dynamics (CFD)<br />
38 Intern<strong>at</strong>ional Mining AUGUST 2006<br />
software and services, has entered into a<br />
partnership with DEM Solutions, a leading<br />
developer of DEM (Discrete Element Method)<br />
software solutions. The result of 10 years R&D,<br />
DEM Solutions’ EDEM software enables<br />
engineers across a broad spectrum of industries<br />
– including mining – to simul<strong>at</strong>e and analyze<br />
the behaviour of particul<strong>at</strong>e m<strong>at</strong>ter during<br />
processing and m<strong>at</strong>erial handling oper<strong>at</strong>ions.<br />
Typical issues in particul<strong>at</strong>e process oper<strong>at</strong>ions<br />
th<strong>at</strong> the software is being used to address<br />
include bulk handling with conveyors, chutes<br />
and hoppers; particle grinding; agglomer<strong>at</strong>ion;<br />
mixing; and equipment surface damage.<br />
<strong>John</strong> Favier, CEO of DEM Solutions, notes,<br />
“We are delighted to be formalizing the<br />
rel<strong>at</strong>ionship with Fluent into a development<br />
partnership. We believe there are significant<br />
synergies between the solutions provided by<br />
our two companies and th<strong>at</strong> by working<br />
together we will be able to rapidly develop<br />
commercial products th<strong>at</strong> will deliver <strong>new</strong><br />
and unique capabilities.”<br />
Ahmad Haidari Process Industry Market<br />
Director <strong>at</strong> Fluent added, “In our continued<br />
commitment to deliver high-end functionality<br />
and advanced solutions to the marketplace,<br />
we are pleased to be entering in a development<br />
partnership with DEM Solutions so as to<br />
complement Fluent’s multiphase models with<br />
Discrete Element Modeling capabilities.”<br />
Fluent's software is used to simul<strong>at</strong>e,<br />
visualize and analyze fluid flow, he<strong>at</strong> and mass<br />
transfer, and chemical reactions. Using this<br />
software, engineers build virtual prototypes<br />
and simul<strong>at</strong>e the performance of proposed<br />
and existing designs, allowing them to improve<br />
design quality while reducing cost and speeding<br />
time to market. DEM Solutions’ EDEM software<br />
is used for simul<strong>at</strong>ion, analysis and visualiz<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
of particul<strong>at</strong>e flows and provides highresolution<br />
inform<strong>at</strong>ion on particle kinem<strong>at</strong>ics,<br />
momentum, he<strong>at</strong> and mass transfer.<br />
The l<strong>at</strong>est <strong>new</strong>s from DEM Solutions is th<strong>at</strong><br />
two leading mineral processing research groups<br />
– the Mineral Processing Research Unit (MPRU)<br />
<strong>at</strong> the University of Cape Town and the Julius<br />
Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC)<br />
<strong>at</strong> the University of Queensland – are to benefit<br />
from the l<strong>at</strong>est version of the company’s<br />
discrete element software, EDEM 1.1.<br />
EDEM 1.1 is the l<strong>at</strong>est upd<strong>at</strong>e of the<br />
company’s core DEM product which is used<br />
to simul<strong>at</strong>e particul<strong>at</strong>e handling and<br />
processing oper<strong>at</strong>ions.<br />
“Crushing and grinding is a highly energy<br />
intensive process and rising energy costs<br />
mean th<strong>at</strong> the mineral processing industry<br />
must continue to improve production efficiency.<br />
EDEM will provide us with an advanced DEM<br />
simul<strong>at</strong>ion capability for use in the analysis<br />
and improved understanding of the grinding<br />
action in mills, improvement of ball mills and<br />
other comminution devices. This will enable<br />
us to improve the oper<strong>at</strong>ional efficiency of<br />
these devices and possibly more importantly,<br />
extend this knowledge to substantially<br />
improved grinding techniques”<br />
Favier, added: “Both MPRI and JKMRC are<br />
recognized centres of excellence within the<br />
mineral processing industry. Their incorpor<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
of EDEM into their ongoing R&D activities<br />
will help acceler<strong>at</strong>e the wider adoption of<br />
EDEM across the sector”. IM