Luleå University of Technology, September 2018
Schedule
Welcome and introduction (lecture)
- Aims of the course and realization
- Intended learning outcomes
- Course completion, examination
- Traditional approach in ore resource estimate and production management
- New challenges
- Definition of Geometallury
- Block model before and now
- Benefits of Geometallurgy
Sampling (lecture and PC class)
- Proper sampling and sample preparation for metallurgical testing
- Risks for high sampling error, planning for sampling
- Calculation of sampling error
- Sample taking from mineral processing circuits
- Design of sample preparation scheme
Metallogeny of Fennoscandia
- Fennoscandian shield – Geology, m
- Metallogenic areas
- Mining activities in Sweden and Finland
- Norrbotten district
- Skellefte district
- Bergslagen district
- Finnish mining districts
Research methods (lecture and PC class)
- Diagnosis and troubleshooting of process problem
- Mineralogical research – analytical methods
- Texture analysis
- Mineral liberation analysis
- Element to mineral conversion
Particle behavior (lecture and PC class)
- Mixed particles and liberation characteristics
- Particle properties in comminution
- Preferential breakage versus random breakage
- Particle properties in classification
- Separation efficiency
- Particle properties in concentration
- Recovery and grades
- Particle properties in dewatering
- Particle properties in leaching
Economical appraisal (lecture and PC class)
- Description of the metal value chain
- Models for evaluating profitability: Break-even analysis, cash flow analysis, net present value, internal rate of return
- Metal prices and forecast
- Supply and demand
- Resources versus reserves
- Cut-off grade
- CAPEX and OPEX
- Taxes
Metallurgical processing (lecture)
- Introduction to process metallurgy
- Methods for metal extraction
- Challenges and opportunities of future metallurgy
- Complex primary and secondary materials in metal extraction
- Copper making – Pyrometallurgical extraction
- Copper making – Hydrometallurgical extraction
- Iron and steel making – Ore based versus scrap based
- Iron and steel making – Blast furnace process
- Iron and steel making – Refining
- Iron and steel making – Casting
Mineral processing test methods (lecture and laboratory exercise)
- Mineral process design
- Comminution properties
- Crack formation and propagation
- Mineral liberation
- Breakage mechanisms
- Characterization of comminution processes
- Strength tests
- Grindability tests
- Abrasion tests
- Float-sink analysis
- Davis tube test
- Flotability tests
- Conduct of Geometallurgical Comminution Test (GCT) (lab exercise)
Modelling and simulation (lecture and PC class)
- Definitions, geometallurgical modelling
- Spatial modelling
- Geostatistics
- Domaining
- Geometallurgical parameters
- Process modelling
- Modelling depth
PC classes
- Element-to-mineral conversion
- Mineral liberation
- Financial appraisal
- Adventures of a process mineralogist
Introduction to the ”Serious game”
- Intro “Geometallurgical project work – Developing a geometallurgical program and model”
- Objectives and idea
- Expected deliverables
- Data set description
- Chemical assays
- Grindability tests
- Concentration tests
- Process flow sheets
- Process model
- Economical evaluation methods