:: Cutting Comminution Costs

Declining metal prices have brought a renewed focus by AMIRA member companies on improved production efficiency. AMIRA Project P1003, “Energy Efficient Grinding and Liberation,” will enhance practical application of the industry’s expanding knowledge of the complex relationship between mill type, grinding media and final grind size on cost-efficient recovery.

It has two interdependent components:

• Application of stirred milling to mainstream grinding for rougher recovery
• Application of stirred milling to regrinding for cleaner circuits.

The project leader will be Associate Professor B. Klein of the University of British Columbia assisted by Assist Prof M. Pawlik. They will have additional input from McGill University’s Assoc Prof P. Radziszewski and Research Fellow Jan Nessett and from Associate Professor S. Grano of the Ian Wark Research Institute, University of South Australia. Collectively this group brings unsurpassed expertise in the relationship between mill technology and flotation advances. Coordination is by AMIRA’s Research Director, North America, Terry Braden.

It is proposed the three year project be supported by:

• Three site sponsors, each at US$120,000 a year.
• Six knowledge sponsors, each at US$80,000 a year.
• Two supplier sponsors each at US$40,000 a year.

With ARC/NSERC support and cash and in-kind industry contributions this provides a budget of US$1.5 million a year. This equates to a leverage on funds outlayed of 12:1 for site sponsors (who gain specific own-site results) and 15:1 for knowledge sponsors. Technology transfer mechanisms include provision for sponsors to have on–site workshops.

Contact:
Terry.Braden@amira.com.au

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