Conventional technologies in the processing of metal ores have advantages on the market

Current trends in the processing of metal ores

Quelle/Source: SNL Metals & Mining, OneStone

1 a/b Development of investments

Quelle/Source: SNL Metals & Mining, OneStone

2 Effect of investment decisions [1]

3 Influence of comminution on the valuable mineral yield [3]

Source/Quelle: Metso Minerals

4 Flotation in agitator cells

Source/Quelle: Metso Minerals

Source/Quelle: Outotec

5 Typical flotation process with regrinding

Source/Quelle: Outotec

Source/Quelle: Barrick Gold

6 Jabal Sayid flotation system

Source/Quelle: Barrick Gold

Source/Quelle: OneStone Research

7 Size development of flotation cells

Source/Quelle: OneStone Research

8 Lifecycle costs for different flotation options [5]

Source/Quelle: FLS Minerals

9 Flotation system in Mexico

Source/Quelle: FLS Minerals

Source/Quelle: Turquoise Hill

10 Flotation system at the Oyu Tolgai mine

Source/Quelle: Turquoise Hill

Quelle/Source: Metso/Boliden: Tommy Lindgren

11 Garpenberg flotation system

Quelle/Source: Metso/Boliden: Tommy Lindgren

Quelle/Source: Outotec

12 Flotation system at the Aitik Mine

Quelle/Source: Outotec

Quelle/Source: FLSmidth Minerals

13 The currently largest flotation cell in the USA

Quelle/Source: FLSmidth Minerals

14 nextStep rotor/stator combination

Quelle/Source: FLSmidth Minerals

Quelle/Source: Outotec

15 Float Force^® system

Quelle/Source: Outotec

Quelle/Source: Metso Minerals

16 DV^®mechanism

Quelle/Source: Metso Minerals

Quelle/Source: Eriez Flotation

17 Column flotation system

Quelle/Source: Eriez Flotation

Quelle/Source: Glencore Technology

18 Jamesoll Cell in South Africa

Quelle/Source: Glencore Technology

Quelle/Source: Maelgwyn Mineral Services

19 Imhoflot system

Quelle/Source: Maelgwyn Mineral Services

Quelle/Source: Outotec

Flotation system with agitator cells

Quelle/Source: Outotec

Summary: Flotation systems for metal ore processing are a good example for the fact that conventional technologies have advantages on the market. With respect to efficiency, they have not only drawn level with advanced processes, but have also improved the “economies of scale”. The following report provides background information and market data.

1 Investment in plant and market data for flotation systems

The market for investments in the mining industry is currently under great pressure. The reason for this is the lack of new investment due to low metal prices and the austerity measures implemented by large mining companies, as well as the Junior Miners’ lack of capital. After corporate investments had declined in 2013 by nearly 40 %, and had been cut in 2014 by another 25 %, investment cutbacks of only about 10 % were actually expected for 2015. However, the current situation is that further budget reductions of more than 17 % are...