Program Overview

Introduction to MPTech

MPTech is a consulting service provided by the Centre for Minerals Research (CMR) at the University of Cape Town. The service focuses on the application of technology and research to the design, operation, and optimisation of industrial comminution and flotation circuits. MPTech also provides training to industry in advanced concentrator technology.

Comminution and Classification

In the area of comminution, MPTech has led to significant improvements in throughput, increasing the amount of final product achieved, or improved process efficiency. Interventions through site optimisation studies have resulted in the redesign of mill shell liner profiles, discharge grates, and pulp lifters to prevent or reduce slurry pooling problems. MPTech has undertaken several design review studies for both engineering houses and operations using the JKSimMet mineral processing simulator.

Flotation

Optimisation of a flotation circuit requires detailed information about the sub-processes occurring in a cell as well as accurate mass, water, and mineral flows around the circuit. MPTech has proven experience in planning and executing flotation surveys to provide this information, including the use of the Anglo Platinum Bubble Sizer (APBS) for the measurement of bubble size and superficial gas velocity. Flotation surveys conducted by MPTech have provided plants with information that has allowed them to calibrate and stabilise air input and froth depth down a flotation bank, to optimise reagent addition, and to reconfigure stream routings leading to improved metallurgical performance.

Capabilities and Services

MPTech offers a range of capabilities and services, including:

• Comminution circuit surveys
  • Detailed circuit mass balance for determination of circulating loads and identification of bottlenecks
  • Grind curve testwork – mill filling, throughput, slurry/ball load, power draw
  • Mill liner profile measurement and simulated charge trajectories using MillTraj
  • Equipment and circuit modelling and simulation with JKSimMet
• Flotation circuit surveys
  • Pulp phase hydrodynamics – superficial gas velocity, bubble size, and gas holdup
  • Froth phase stability and mobility
  • Robust material balance techniques even for sparse minerals
  • Floatability component analysis for simulation using JKSimFloat
• Mobile sample processing trailer – a portable laboratory with all the equipment required for collecting samples and conducting full sizing analyses on site

Laboratory Toolbox

The laboratory toolbox includes:

• Ore hardness characterisation
• Particle size and shape characterisation
• Particle mineralogy/composition
• Slurry rheology
• Depressant characterisation
• Bench scale batch flotation testing for reagent screening
• Controlled pulp chemistry grinding coupled with flotation response
• Stirred milling signature plots using IsaMillTM, HIGmillTM, or SMD, with flotation response

Software Toolbox

The software toolbox includes:

• JKSimMet – comminution circuit mass balancing, optimisation, and design
• JKSimFloat – flotation circuit mass balancing, optimisation, and design
• MillTraj – ball and rock charge trajectories in mills

Technology Transfer

MPTech provides short courses of up to one week's duration to improve internal research and development strategies and initiatives, taking advantage of the current state-of-the-art in comminution, classification, and flotation optimisation. The current training toolbox includes:

• Advanced Concentrator Technology (ACT) short courses
  • Comminution and Classification: Theory & Application
  • Flotation: Theory & Application
  • Comminution Sampling & Mass Balancing
  • Flotation Sampling & Mass balancing
  • Process Mineralogy
  • Metal Accounting
  • Physical Separation
  • Data Mining
  • Using the Anglo Platinum Bubble Sizer (APBS)

Graduate Training

MPTech has responded to global and local demand for high-calibre technical staff to service the expanding industry and has undertaken to provide training to graduates in industry. The training programme is structured in a modular fashion to include a basic technical "toolbox" and advanced learning in comminution, classification, and flotation. The programme is focused strongly on site work, with a major integrated site campaign conducted and analysed by each cohort. The benefits of the programme have been tangible, including improving survey sampling protocols, introducing effective mass pull control, reducing steel ball consumption, and dramatically improving mineral recovery.