41st Conference on Physicochemical Problems of Mineral Processing
In conjunction with the 9th International Conference on Mineral Processing
Szklarska Poreba, Poland, September 1-3, 2004

The participants of the conference celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the Physicochemical Problems of Mineral Processing and 45th anniversary of Professor Laskowski’s scientific activities who also celebrates the 20th year of publication of Coal Preparation international journal, which he founded.

The participants came from various countries including Russia, Turkey, Egypt, Finland, Australia, Canada, and Poland. They discussed variety of aspects of mineral processing including grinding, screening, pelletization, froth flotation, ion flotation, flocculation, oil agglomeration, extraction, modeling, simulation, bioleaching, magnetic and electric properties of materials, weathering of minerals on motorways, and environmental issues. Vigorous discussions followed the presentations. Exchange of ideas and comments took also place during breaks and informal meetings.

One of the interesting works presented during the conference was delivered by J.S. Laskowski. He proposed a new parameter, which can be used for characterizing flotation frothers. It is called the critical concentration of coalescence, or shortly CCC, and indicates the minimum concentration of a frother above which the coalescence of gas bubbles in flotation is greatly reduced, which is a very beneficial effect in flotation. The CCC together with DFI (limiting slope of the retention time –concentration plot for concentration approaching zero), according to Laskowski, very well classifies flotation frothers. Selective frothers are characterized by small DFI and large CCC while powerful frothers have large DFI and small CCC values. Selective frothers are good in flotation of very fine particles, while powerful provide higher recoveries and better performance in flotation of coarse particles.

The peer reviewed papers presented at the Conference were published in the 38 issue of the Physicochemical Problems of Mineral Processing annual. The volume contains 32 papers, which occupy 358 pages. The volume is available from the Oficyna Wydawnicza Politechniki Wroclawskiej (Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland). The prices of the 38 (2004) issue of Physicochemical Problems of Mineral Processing is $25. The journal is also available free of charge from the internet at www.ig.pwr.wroc.pl starting from vol. 31, 1997.

The next joint conference (42th conference on Physicochemical Problems of Mineral Processing and 10th International Conference on Mineral Processing) will be organized in 2005. Those who are interested in the meeting should contact Dr. Zygminut Sadowski (zygmunt.sadowski@pwr.wroc.pl) or jan.drzymala@pwr.wroc.pl before April 1, 2005.

Jan Drzymala. Email: jan.drzymala@pwr.wroc.pl