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By Ghislain Bournival, Cagri Emer, Seher Ata

"It is well known among flotation practitioners that the contact angle can be correlated with the amount of material recovered from feed by flotation. The contact angle of solids can easily be modified by the addition of a collector. However, some collectors also have frothing properties thus altering the solid and bubble surface properties simultaneously. To avoid this problem, a technique has previously been used in which silanol groups are attached to the surfaces of the particles, but this method has its own problems. In this work, silica particles with various surface hydrophobicities were prepared using an esterification process. By using alcohols with different hydrocarbon chain lengths, from 4 to 12 carbon atoms, surfaces with a wide range of contact angles could be prepared. The technique was used in the modification of silica particles that were tested in a fluidized bed flotation column, and a laboratory mechanical flotation cell. In parallel experiments, dodecylamine (DDA) was used as a collector. It was found that irrespective of the type of flotation machine and surface preparation method, there was a close correspondence between flotation recovery and the contact angle of the particles. The silanation process has known drawbacks relating to the presence of moisture during the reaction, and the stability of the silane coating after it is been prepared. Esterification does not suffer from these disadvantages. This work has shown that the esterification technique is a robust alternative method for preparing hydrophobic quartz surfaces."

Jan 1, 2014

"The business importance of water for mining companies is unequivocal as it may affect several aspects of mining projects ranging from the life-and-death license to operate to the imperative economic viability. It is thus no wonder that nearly all mining companies acknowledge water-related risks, issues and opportunities in their respective sustainability report. Somehow, this procedure has fostered the idea that water frugality could be the sustainable solution to several water-related issues. The regular exercise of water accounting should then follow as a key strategic requirement. Water accounting is defined as the application of a consistent and structured approach to identifying, measuring, recording and reporting information about water. However, several factors discussed herein have led to the fact that some water accounts are still produced using means (hardware and software) which undermatch the value actually associated with water. The resulting fuzziness about water usage could result in missed opportunities, suboptimal operations or even lead to environmental law violations. This paper subscribes to the distinctive perspective that, once underlying concepts and practical definitions have been standardized under a supported framework, such as the openly available Water Accounting Framework (WAF) published by the Minerals Council of Australia, most of the remaining water accounting issues may be boiled down to accuracy issues and, ultimately, to how much accuracy is valued by the stakeholders. Using the latest WAF document as a baseline for best practices of water accounting and, borrowing concepts from the fields of sensor network design in the process industries and best practices of metal accounting, this paper reviews some essential accuracy issues to be considered when designing or analyzing water accounting systems in mineral processing. The current paper also includes some elements for a promising attempt to include the value of information paradigm inside the water accounting best practices."

Jan 1, 2014

By Narasimha Mangadoddy

The complex nature of multi-phase flow in dense medium cyclones has restricted plant operators and designers to rely on empirical equations for predicting the performance. A number of empirical cyclone models have been developed in the past (Wood, 1990; Dunglison, 2002). In recent years, this subject has been broached with computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Most of the CFD models have not considered the correct rheological behavior of magnetite medium while simulating the medium segregation inside the cyclone. These models mostly predict excessive underflow volumetric flow rates. In this paper simulations of magnetite medium in a dense medium cyclone, were conducted in FLUENT where the particle phases were simulated using the modified Mixture model. The turbulence was resolved using Large Eddy Simulation (LES) model. The rheological behavior of medium was considered in the form of Granular viscosity, Newtonian and Non-Newtonian models corrected with particle loadings and fraction of ultrafines. Multi-phase simulations using granular viscosity option although predict the overall split product medium densities reasonably close to experiments, the mixture viscosity values are restricted to substantially lower values, similar to water viscosity. Simulations using Newtonian viscosity model corrected with particle loading, and fine fraction below 53µm size is predicting overall mixture viscosity levels well over water viscosity levels, but under predicting the under flow the underflow medium density. Multi-phase simulations using Non-Newtonian Herschel-Buckley model, calibrated for superfine magnetite medium measured viscosities, is closely predicting the medium segregation with gamma ray tomography data. Overall predicted product medium densities, underflow volume split are close to the experimental data. This model is can be further used to simulate coal portioning and hence in developing new designs.

Sep 1, 2012

By Dietmar Freyhammer

Grinding is the last stage of the comminution process. In the grinding process the particles size are reduced by impact and attrition stresses. The fine grinding of ores is nowadays finding increased application due to depletion of coarse grained, easily processed ore bodies and the increased need to process distributed fine grained deposits, such fine ground iron ore powder is the basis for the pelletisation process. Depending on the ore type and the project environment different approaches to comminution are requested to provide an adequate ground iron ore for the pelletisation process. Currently the ball mill is the most used equipment in grinding iron ore for pellet feed. Based on the various examination and investigation of minerals on grind ability related to the throughput, to the resulting sieve characteristics and necessary energy consumption, the mill circuit can be: Open dry circuit. Closed dry circuit Open wet circuit Closed wet circuit. CEMTEC GmbH is a renowned name worldwide and offers tailor made solutions to cope these issues.

Sep 1, 2012

By P. Basarova

The attachment of bubbles onto a collecting surface is an ubiquitous natural phenomenon, playing a critical role in numerous practical processes. The goal of the project is to broaden the knowledge about hydrodynamic interactions between small bubbles and large solids that occur in nature and industrial processes. Focusing on collision processes between a single rising bubble (Db<1 mm) and a larger falling spherical particle in stagnant liquid, the theoretical model describing the bubble trajectory is given here. The model is based on analysis of forces acting on the bubble, and utilizes equation for the bubble motion. Mobile and immobile type of bubble surface mobility are considered. The calculated results are compared with the experimental data; here a high-speed video camera was used to capture the bubble motion and bubble-particle interaction. Very good agreement between experimental and calculated data was found. For both types of surface mobilities, the bubble deviation in the horizontal direction is nearly linear. The proportion constant is bigger for immobile bubble surface and increases with the bubble size. Furthermore, particular forces acting on bubble were studied. A similar course of relative bubble velocity and force impact was observed for identical bubble position. For cases when the bubble centre is close to the particle axis, only deflection in one direction is observed. When the bubble is reaching the maximum trajectory, the force ratio is changed. The bubble is firstly pushed away from the particle, but when it is within close distance from the particle, the bubble is pushed towards the particle.

Sep 1, 2012

By Johannes Käppeler, Alexander Weh, Harald Giese, Klaas van der Wielen

"High voltage breakage is a novel comminution technology that shows considerable potential for various applications in mineral processing and recycling. It relies on highly energetic electrical pulses to induce electrical explosions in rocks, causing the formation of plasma channels and powerful shockwaves that result in fracturing and fragmentation of particles. There has been considerable interest in this technology for its ability to weaken rocks and preferentially liberate target minerals, as previously demonstrated by other authors. Weakening has the potential to significantly reduce energy consumption during comminution, or alternatively, increase throughput of a circuit. Better liberation may yield an improved concentrate grade and/or recovery, reduce fines losses to tailings or increase the grind size required for liberation, thereby also reducing energy requirements. This review aims to increase general awareness of this technology, and promote further research into it by providing a general summary of the theory underlying high voltage breakage, as well as the envisaged applications of this novel technology. A brief history of the technology is presented before progressing onto the physics underlying the electrical and geomechanical aspects of high voltage breakage. Key results regarding weakening and liberation are discussed, and some mention is made of current challenges and planned developments to increase the throughput of high voltage breakage units to the level where it can be integrated into new and existing processing circuits."

Jan 1, 2014

By J. Yianatos

The cleaning circuit operation and its effect on the plant metallurgical performance, was characterized at Los Pelambres concentrator, Chile. Experimental data from columns, scavenger and regrinding stages was evaluated. Each stage was characterized by size fractions, and the interaction between stages (columns, scavenger, regrinding) as well as the effect that circulating loads had. The approach for describing the flotation equipment operation (cells and columns) considered the collection and froth zones separately. This methodology allows for the identification of the impact that particle size distribution has on the actual collection and froth transport processes, independently. In this way the effect of regrinding on flotation recovery and grade can be related to the corresponding operating variables, e.g. pulp flowrate, air flowrate, pulp level and pulp density, among others. The effect of gangue entrainment was considered using an empirical dimensionless correlation. The interaction between the circulating load and the overall performance of cleaning circuit was evaluated. The circulating load was defined as the ratio between the solid flowrate of scavenger concentrate over rougher concentrate. It was found that the overall cleaning flotation circuit (column-scavenger) can operate at a relatively high and constant recovery for a wide range of mineral treatment. This is possible when the scavenger has the capacity for compensating the decrease in column recovery at larger circulating loads. Under the condition of high overall cleaning recovery, the rougher stage closely represents the plant recovery. However, at large mineral treatment conditions, the design characteristics (e.g. concentrate transport channel capacity and transfer boxes) as well as instrumentation, control facilities and operation, became bottle-necked. A simulator was developed using empirical models for each stage (column, scavenger and regrinding) in order to evaluate proper operational strategies for cleaning flotation circuits Keywords: flotation, cleaning, regrinding, Vertimill, simulation.

Sep 1, 2012

By Chiharu Tokoro

Acid Mine Drainage (AMD), high acid water containing heavy metals discharged from mines, has been recognized as major cause of mine pollution. In Japan, the government spends billions of yen every year to prevent pollution caused by AMD in about 80 abandoned mines. It is widely recognized that the treatment could continue for long decades or an even century. However, costs and environmental loads are uncertain during the treatment because a predictive model for the quality of AMD, the dosage of neutralizer, and the amount of sludge that is applicable for abandoned mines with limited data has not yet been established. In this study, a two-steps predictive model for solution composition and neutralization chemical requirements of AMD in future was constructed based on the geochemical modeling. Requisite input data of the model was the past historical water quality data from AMD monitoring, such as metal concentration and pH in the solution, instead of the sample rocks as other conventional prediction methods. In the first step, solution composition of AMD in the future was extrapolated from the available historical data using geochemical simulation considering the first order kinetics for the mineral dissolution. In the second step, neutralizer dosage and sludge generation in the future was predicted based on the geochemical simulation supposing the chemical equilibrium and oxidation state for all of elements in the solution. Based on case studies of two abandoned mines in Japan, solution composition, neutralizer dosage and sludge generation were estimated. The results of this study demonstrate the effectiveness of our model for the prediction of AMD quality and chemical requirements of neutralization treatment after mine closing. The model is useful for the estimation of the neutralizer dosage and the sludge volume in abandoned mines with limited data. Keywords: acid mine drainage, predictive model, geochemical modeling, first order kinetics, water monitoring

Sep 1, 2012

By D. W. Fuerstenau

Understanding how cationic surfactants affect the interfacial behavior of quartz is important in mineral processing and environmental engineering. This paper presents the results of a study of the effect of the molecular structure of cationic surfactants on the interfacial behavior of finely ground natural quartz. Most of the experimental work involved the determination of zeta potentials and the stability of quartz suspensions. Some measurements of induction times and the flotation response of coarser particles are also included. How these surfactants affect interfacial behavior is discussed in terms of adsorption mechanisms. The molecular structure (number of hydrocarbon chains, type of ionic head group, number of ionic head groups on the molecule) of these reagents was found to significantly affect their surface activity.

Jan 1, 2014

By I. A. Makalin, V. N. Yakovlev, S. V. Imangulov, I. V. Zyryanov

"The presented studies aimed at solving the problem of recovery of low-luminescent diamonds, which are not recovered using X-ray luminescence method of processing of diamond-bearing ore. The purpose of the studies is the determination of possibility and feasibility of recovery of such crystals using dual-energy X-ray transmission separation technology. In preparation for studies methods were developed for testing technical and process parameters of XRT-400 Aliud GmbH (Germany) sorter, manufactured according to design specifications of Yakutniproalmaz Institute, and XRT/D TOMRA Sorting Solutions GmbH (Germany) sorter, designed for processing of -50+5 mm ore, as well as RGS-1M, RGS-2 X-ray sorters, developed by JSC NPP Bourevestnik (St. Petersburg) in cooperation with Yakutniproalmaz Institute, for material size of -6+3 mm. In 2018, in-process tests of RGS-OD-3 X-ray sorter prototype on material size of -3+1 mm are scheduled. Studies to determine the content of low-luminescent diamonds and feasibility of their recovery using XRT-400 and XRT/D sorters at the Processing Plant #3 of Mirny Mining and Processing Division (MPD) were carried out. The results of the studies confirmed presence of such diamonds and possibility of their recovery using the dual-energy X-ray transmission method. In-process tests of RGS-2 X-ray graphic sorter were carried out at the Processing Plant #16 of Nyurba MPD. According to the results of sampling of RGS-2 sorter separation products, the recovery of -6+3 mm sized diamonds from tailings of X-ray luminescence sorters was achieved at the level of 96%, while the diamonds recovery was 98.5% in value terms, the concentrate yield was 0.1%. In-process tests of RGS-1M sorters at final recovery of the grease separation concentrate at the Processing Plant #3 of Mirny Division were carried out. Recovery of low-luminescent -6+2 mm sized diamonds by RGS-1M sorter amounted to 92.4% for single operation, and with the double control operation reached 99%. As a result, -6+2 mm sized base product recovery increased by 0.2%."

Jan 1, 2018

By S. S. Indi, D. Santhiya, S. Subramanian, K. A. Natarajan

"With the gradual depletion of the high-grade ores and finer dissemination of values in the leaner samples, it has become imperative to develop innovative approaches to process such complex ores. The beneficiation of complex sulphide ores containing copper, lead and zinc minerals, remains one of the most important challenges in base metals metallurgy. The advent of biotechnology in mineral processing has opened up immense possibilities to exploit such difficult-to-treat ores. Bioprocessing techniques thus hold promise as potential substitutes for the conventional technologies in vogue. Several types of autotrophic and heterotrophic bacteria, fungi, algae and yeasts are implicated in mineral beneficiation processes. Adopting a bioprocessing route to mineral beneficiation has attractive benefits, such as lower cost and energy requirements, environmental acceptability and operational flexibility.The interaction of sphalerite- and galena-adapted Bacillus polymyxa (B. polymyxa) cells with sphalerite and galena has been investigated through adsorption, electrokinetic and flotation studies. The amount of sphalerite-adapted cells adsorbed onto sphalerite and galena is found to decrease with increase in pH. On the other hand, the adsorption density of galena-adapted cells onto galena shows a feeble maximum around pH 8, and the amount adsorbed is marginally higher in the pH range of 8 – 11.5. In the case of sphalerite the amount adsorbed is higher in the pH range of 5 to 7. The adsorption density of both the adapted cells is higher for galena vis-à-vis sphalerite. Electrokinetic studies indicate significant surface chemical changes on the chosen sulphide minerals and the bacterial cells, consequent to microbemineral interactions. Selective flotation tests on a synthetic mixture of galena and sphalerite confirm that sphalerite could be preferentially floated from galena, using galena-adapted cells, but not with the sphalerite-adapted cells. The cells adapted to galena assay a higher polysaccharide content and are more hydrophilic, while the sphalerite-adapted cells have a higher protein content and possess greater hydrophobicity. Transmission electron microscopic studies have provided evidence in support of the differences between the cell surface characteristics of sphalerite- and galenaadapted cells (Figure 1). Possible mechanisms of interaction between the minerals and the bacterial cells are discussed."

Jan 1, 2003

By P. Somasundaran, G. Anastassakis, Z. Pan, D. R. Nagaraj

Gums are often used as depressants for talceous gangue minerals in the flotation of nickel and platinum bearing ores. However, the mechanisms of gum adsorption on talc are not clearly established. In this work, adsorption of guar gum at the talc-solution interface is investigated using spectroscopic and allied techniques. Guar gum adsorption on talc is not affected significantly by changes in solution conditions such as pH and ionic strength. Electrokinetic studies showed that guar gum decreased the negative zeta potential of talc but did not reverse the charge. Fluorescence spectroscopy studies conducted to investigate the role of hydrophobic bonding using pyrene and dansyl probes showed no evidence of the formation of hydrophobic domains at talc-aqueous interface. Urea, a hydrogen bond breaker, reduced the adsorption of guar on talc to the same extent as that for guar/alumina system, in which hydrogen bond plays an important role. All of the above results suggest that one of the main driving forces for guar adsorption on talc is hydrogen bonding rather than electrostatic or hydrophobic force.

Jan 1, 2003

By K. V. Fedotov, E. V. Zelinskaya, O. V. Ulanova

"Mining enterprises, in particular, those on the territory of the Siberian platform, produce large amounts of pumped water, which cannot be recycled because of its high mineralization and, thus, is discharged as liquid waste either back into the ground or onto the surface. However, groundwater is often a valuable raw material and a source of useful chemical substances. Brines are unique groundwaters. In the current environmental and economic situation, the huge loss of natural raw materials and their deliberate conversion into wastes is unaffordable. The exploration of non-traditional sources of minerals such as the hydromineral resources (including pit water) is a matter of rational nature management. The industrial value of brines of the Siberian platform is due to the high contents of rare alkali and earth alkaline elements (lithium, rubidium, cesium, strontium, bromine, etc.). The absolute concentrations of these elements in brines are tens of times higher than the lower limits of the mining cut-off. The long-term data analysis was performed to estimate the environmental impact of liquid waste from two mining enterprises, namely, Korshunovskii (Irkutsk region) and Udachnaya (Southern Yakutia). The study was focused on the prospects of hydromineral resources as non-traditional sources of valuable elements and the exploration of technological processes for the selective extraction of rare alkali and earth alkaline metals from natural multi-component brines aimed at decreasing their negative environmental impact. The environmental and economic efficiency was proved for the processing of complex brines and the integrated selective extraction of rare earth metals from sodium chloride brines of the Korshunovskii plant and calcium chloride brines of the Udachnaya plant based on the ion exchange sorption, eluent chromatography, flotation, crystallization, and freezing techniques. The basic technological schemes were developed for the metal extraction from pit water and brines.INTRODUCTION In the Irkutsk region (the Angara–Lena artesian basin) and in Yakutia (the Olenek and Tunguska artesian basins), several mineral deposits are developed and, incidentally, aquifers bearing brines of different types are opened, which are eventually converted into liquid production waste (Rusetskaya et al., 1994) This raises the issue of the burial or utilization of brines since their use within the water circulation is impracticable under the existing technological conditions while their discharge into the surface watercourse is unacceptable because of the harmful environmental impact."

Jan 1, 2018

By R. C. Miranda

The purpose of this work is to present ?state of the art? mass balances closing strategies in ore treatment plants. It presents a brief history of difficulties and challenges ahead. The current methodology is based on usage of an expert system, which seizes and filters the plant data, analyzes situations of equipment stops and mostly instruments failures. It is still possible to internally create a strategy to check the data of an instrument failure. The system is coupled to software with a Lagrangian model of mass balance closure that receives the pre-treated data. Thus, the data goes through filtering and reconciling processes to generate a reliable mass balance of the ore treatment plant. This made possible to obtain a system that is able to tell the real productivity of a ore plant through reliable mass balances. Residence times on equipments are critical to the balance, thus, they require good logic to eliminate errors due to the characteristics of non-steady state. Among the next challenges is the inclusion of a ?soft sensor? as a replacement of an instrument required for mass balance closure.

Sep 1, 2012

By Igor Kuzymin, Isaak Maximov, Iuriy Akkerman, Galina Aksenova, Valentina Sentemova, Nataliya Trubechkova

"The Russian Federation possesses large reserves of oxidized ferruginous quartzites. These ores are currently mined together with magnetite ores and are stockpiled on account of unavailability of an efficient processing technology. This paper presents the results of investigations performed on the ores from the largest oxidized ferruginous quartzite deposit located in the Kursk Region iron-ore basin of Russia. The objective is to produce concentrate with iron content at least 66% and silica content within 5%. A processing technology was, developed under laboratory conditions, which included ore preparation, wet magnetic separation in weak and strong fields and reverse cationic flotation with addition of caustic soda, dextrin and Lilaflot 811M (alkoxy propylamine) collector from Akzo Nobel. The developed technology produced iron recovery concentrate with iron content of nearly 67%, and that of silica - 4.1%, iron recovery into concentrate being 72.6%."

Jan 1, 2014

By D. G. Hulbert

"Mineral processes are complex operations that have been modelled, controlled and simulated by diverse technologies. A review is given of some models of mineral processes in the literature. A new variation of a dynamic process model of flotation is presented. Process models, describing real and relevant physical variables, give a good understanding and good qualitative simulations, but can sometimes require prohibitively difficult and extensive parameter estimations. Process control is usually best done on operational plants by the fitting of system models, which can home in on the plant?s observability, controllability and optimisation. System models can be of a form amenable for use in appropriate techniques for controller design and implementation. The control of milling circuits is discussed in some detail. While simulators use models to predict dynamic or steady-state information, part of their strength lies in their ease of use and their ability to test different types of specifications. Some results are given for a flotation circuit simulator that can be made to solve virtually any permutation of specifications.INTRODUCTIONThe development and application of appropriate technology can lead to better operation of mineral processing plants in industry, so that substantial benefits can be obtained from improved throughputs, efficiencies and product qualities. This paper addresses some of the principles and methods used in the quest for the development and exploitation of such technology. Although the design of processes is often the motivation for modelling and simulation, this paper also targets the use of modelling and simulation for the control and optimum operation of mineral processes. The two processes given the most attention here are flotation and milling.Technologies used in mineral processing range from simple to very complex. Simple technical principles, such as mass and component balances, can yield some simple and effective strategies for modelling and control. However, minerals in particulate form have such complex physical and chemical properties that there appears no end to the complexity that emerges, as more and more factors are taken into consideration in the pursuit of better results and understanding. The situation is aggravated by the complexity of mineral processing plants, which have spatially variable conditions within process units, and complicated interactions between these units."

Jan 1, 2003

By Alexander E. Sobolev

The kinetics of oxidative dissolution of lead sulfide in solutions of nitric acid and sodium hypochlorite was studied using the rotating disk method and the factor experiment design. The dependences of the PbS dissolution rate on concentration of oxidant (HNO3 or NaOCl), temperature, disk rotation frequency, and duration of interaction were determined. The adequate kinetic models allowing calculating the specific dissolution rate at any combination of values of the influencing factors were obtained. As a result of the complex analysis of kinetic parameters, the modes of the each process proceeding were established, their macromechanisms were determined, and the limiting stages of the oxidative dissolution processes were revealed. The dissolution kinetics of lead sulfide in solutions of nitric acid was found to have several regimes. At HNO3 concentrations below 0.5 mol/L, the process proceeds in a mixed mode close to a diffusion-controlled. It is caused by low oxidative activity of HNO3 and considerable diffusional diffuculties at this acid concentration range. At the nitric acid concentrations more than 0.5 mol/L and less than 6.0 mol/L, the process was found to be kinetically controlled. The limiting stage of the interaction is the surface chemical reaction. The observed relatively high order of the dissolution rate with respect to the concentration of HNO3 was explained by the autocatalytic action of the acid reduction products. At nitric acid concentrations exceeding 6 mol/L, the process proceeds in a mixed mode close to a diffusion-controlled, and the dissolution rate sharply decreased that was explained by a decrease in the solubility of reaction products. When lead sulfide is dissolved in sodium hypochlorite solutions, at first time the amount of PbS transferred into solution remains close to zero. Gradually, as time goes, this amount begins to increase sharply. The dissolution rate rises and reaches the maximum value, further remaining constant. At the steady-state regime, the dissolution rate is independent of the duration of interaction and disk rotation frequency. The process was found to be kinetically controlled. The limiting stage is likely to be chemical reaction on the surface of solid lead sulfide. The obtained kinetic characteristics enlarge the database on hydrochemical oxidation kinetics of sulfides and can be used for the elaboration of the recommendations for the effective comprehensive exploitation of lead-bearing ores and concentrates. Keywords: lead sulfide, nitric acid, sodium hypochlorite, hydrochemical oxidation, dissolution kinetics

Sep 1, 2012

By Robert Dunne

A review of the current ?state of the art? of refractory gold treatment will be provided. This will include a global perspective of the refractory processes that are being practiced, where they are and some discussion on why the processes were selected. Some discussion on the challenges that face the refractory gold industry will also be provided.

Sep 1, 2012

As a leading global company in the mining sector, we are committed to sustainable development. To this end, we invest in the responsible, integrated management of economic, environmental and social issues. Vale?s objective is for our businesses to produce local, regional and global prosperity, enabling the construction of a positive legacy throughout the lifecycle of our activities. This covers everything from talking with stakeholders and preventing failures to complying with legislation, paying constant attention to environmental issues and respecting ethics in business. Keywords: sustainable development

Sep 1, 2012

By Alain Broussaud

The lecture is about the growing role and the evolution of advanced process control (APC) in the mining and mineral processing industry, taking into account major trends in Information Technology. It reflects the standpoint of a team, which has already successfully developed APC technology for more than 20 years. Advanced process control systems tend to rely on combinations of artificial intelligence techniques or algorithms that complement each other and cooperate. Each technique or algorithm makes it possible to use certain type of knowledge about the process, so that the advanced control systems benefit at any time from the combined knowledge of process and control engineers and plant operators, from knowledge derived from past research work and process modeling, from a considerable amount of data provided by advanced instrumentation in real time, and from knowledge that can be extracted automatically and at any time from past data and images. The lecture will first review and compare the role, merits and limitations of algorithms that are used for online decision making in mineral processing plants: expert systems, fuzzy logic, neural networks, soft sensors, optimizers, and MPC controllers. The lecture will also review the role of online image analysis and sound analysis in process control. Recent developments in this area open new dimensions, in particular the ability for advanced process control algorithms to automatically explore the past, move back and forth in time in order to make better informed decisions, and the ability to cooperate with the operators for better performance. Applications will be presented. Recent progress in process simulation makes it possible to design, configure, check, and pre-tune APC systems before plant startup, opening new options for implementing APC. In conclusion, the author will share his experience about the key ingredients for sustainable success in APC Keywords: mineral processing plants, APC, MOC controllers

Sep 1, 2012