:: World’s Largest Flotation Cell

Dorr-Oliver Eimco Chile S.A., a subsidiary of the Canadian-based company Groupe Laperrière & Verreault Inc. announced that they have received a major order for the supply of ten (10) Wemco^® 257 cubic meter SmartCell^® flotation machines to Minera Los Pelambres in Chile. Minera Los Pelambres is the world’s fifth largest copper mine, located about 200 kilometers North East of Santiago, Chile. The mine currently processes 120,000 mtpd of ore and will use the new SmartCell^® flotation machines to increase production to 140,000 mtpd, as part of the current expansion project.

The model No. 250 SmartCell® unit is the largest size flotation cell in the world and was installed in 2003. The No. 250 cell provides 257 cubic meters of active volume and is equipped with a 400 HP motor. In April of 2004, hydrodynamic testing was completed and the cell was put into production as the first cell in a bank of roughers. The cell is followed by nine (9) Wemco® 130-cubic meter SmartCell® flotation machines.

The model 250 has exceeded the hydrodynamic and metallurgical performance of the model 160 according to Asa Weber, Beneficiation Manager for Dorr-Oliver Eimco in Salt Lake City, UT. Testing at Los Pelambres has shown the 250 unit to provide superior recovery, particularly on coarse particles. With the introduction of the Model 250, Dorr-Oliver Eimco is maintaining its industry leadership in the supply of flotation cells.