Search Documents

By T. J. Chen

Stone coal containing vanadium is an important vanadium resource in China. Roasting and oxidation of vanadium is the foundation for extracting vanadium from stone coal. This article takes stone coal vanadium ore in Tongshan of Hubei Province as research target to conduct oxidation roasting test on it by using a self-developed low-sodium compound additive and a new optimized technology. Firstly, use potentiometric titration, X diffraction, energy spectrum and electron probe to study valence change, occurrence and phase transition of vanadium during oxidation roasting process. On this basis, primary work is done on oxidation kinetics of vanadium by exploring the steps that control reaction rate during vanadium oxidation process and determining the related dynamic parameter ? apparent activation energy. The study shows that occurrence of vanadium in stone coal of Tongshan is mainly in illite, and that the result of phase transition in roasting process is disappearance of illite containing vanadium, formation of soluble vanadate and potassium feldspar, albite. It further demonstrates that oxidation process of vanadium is step by step (V(?)? V(?)? V(?)), and its oxidation reaction is controlled by diffusion kinetics whose dynamic apparent activation energy is E1=81.19kJ.mol-1.

Jan 1, 2014

According to the Darcy?s law, filtration rate should increase with increasing pressure drop (?P) across a filter cake. In centrifugal filtration, ?P is created by the free water present on the surface of a filter cake. Thus, ?P can become negative when the free water disappears from the cake surface, which makes it difficult to achieve low cake moistures. In the present work, we have developed methods of overcoming this problem by either increasing the air pressure inside or applying vacuum outside a centrifuge. Laboratory dewatering tests conducted using these provisions showed that the moistures of various minerals and coal fines can be reduced to the level that can obviate the need for thermal drying. The new concept has been successfully tested both at pilot- and full-scale, which lead to commercial deployment through Decanter Machine, Inc., under the trade name Centribaric® centrifuge. Keywords: dewatering, hyperbaric centrifuge, pressure drop, Darcy?s law, Centribaric® centrifuge

Sep 1, 2012

By V. Panayotov, M. Panayotova

"The combined use of semiconductor properties and specific flotation characteristics of minerals under different conditions with external influences ensures a possibility for process control and management. This work presents the relations between the volumetric and surface characteristics of minerals and the minerals' flotation ability (flotability), as well as the possibility for the flotability purposeful change. Results from proprietary laboratory and industrial research are presented showing how controlled impacts on minerals and flotation pulp improve flotation technology. Such an approach reveals prospects for the creation of new technologies for the minerals' beneficiation.INTRODUCTIONThe decrease of the useful components content in the ores, the increasingly complex nature of the raw materials, the increasing energy consumption per the unit of production, and the need to solve the problems related to the environment pollution require solutions different than the existing classical ones. One of the ways to find such solutions is the detailed consideration of the fundamental properties of minerals and, in particular, of minerals having semiconductor properties. The studies of Plaksin et al. (1968), Chanturia and Shafeev (1977), Chanturia and Vigdergauz (2008), Carta et al. (1973), Hoberg and Shneider (1975), Rao et al. (1992) have given an idea of the energy state of the minerals, their flotation ability, and the ways in which this ability can be changed in one or the other direction. The main line in these works is the study and use of the relationship between bulk and flotation properties of minerals. To improve the efficiency of the process, it is also necessary to consider the relationship between the surface properties of the minerals, especially minerals-semiconductors, and their flotation ability.THEORETICAL BACKGROUND IN BRIEFA quantitative estimation of energy changes in a solid phase in the process of flotation may be made by taking in account the changes in the Fermi level. Its position in the forbidden band is an indicator about the direction and the intensity of electron exchange between solid and liquid phases. The Fermi level energy EF enables the estimation of flotability, intensity of needed external impact before flotation, as well as efficiency of the process going on. Quantitative estimation of these processes can be made by means of the flotability coefficient Kf."

Jan 1, 2018

Beneficiation and dephosphorization of refractory oolitic hematite ore are investigated in this paper. It is shown that single magnetic separation, gravity separation or flotation is unable to recover iron effectively from the ore due to the complex mineralogy. The joint separation by spiral chute-shaking table shows a prospect for the treatment of the ore. An iron concentrate with 58.67% iron grade and 51.93% recovery is obtained by the joint separation of spiral chute and shaking table under the fineness of ?0.074mm 90% and dispersant dosage of 2kg/t for a sample ore of 37.51% Fe and 0.88% P. However, P content in the concentrate is still up to 0.52%. Dephosphorization from the concentrate is hence carried out. The final iron concentrate assaying 59.26% Fe and 0.056% P is obtained when the concentrate obtained by joint separation is leached by sulfuric acid of 1% (mass fraction) with solid percentage 10% at room temperature for 10min.

Jan 1, 2014

By D. Moradkhani

Copper metal has important role in the basic industrials, as if it did not exist, modern human life would not develop! Copper leaching, as the first step, is important step in copper production processes. In this research, efficient factors on the leaching have been investigated. For this reason, four efficient factors on leaching namely pH, liquid to solid ratio (L/S), temperature and time, as independent variables, were optimized using response surface (RSM) with D-optimal. A quadratic equation was used to create response and contours. According to the results from analysis of variance (ANOVA), the value of determination coefficient (R2=96.77%) indicates that the model was good fit. Optimum experiment condition also was found: pH of 1, L/S of 8.24, temperature of 26.06 ? and time of 43.64 min. At this condition, the maximum recovery of copper was equaled to 92/38 in which good desirability achieved.

Sep 1, 2012

By Y. S. Song

Flotation separation of galena, sphalerite with pyrrhotite in ethanoic acid + sodium acetate sys-tem was studied in this paper. The flotation tests show that galena and sphalerite can float but pyr-rhotite can hardly float in the pH range of 3.6 to 5.6 in ethanoic acid + sodium acetate system. The flotation tests also show that galena can be separated efficiently from pyrrhotite and sphalerite can be separated on the whole from pyrrhotite, but the separation efficiency of the former is much better than the latter. The flotation results have been investigated by ultraviolet spectrum and XPS analysis, and explained by theory of hard and soft acid and base (HSAB), hydrogen bond and galvanic coupling.

Jan 1, 2014

By Olgac Kangal, Ali Guney, Gulay Bulut, Guven Onal, Ayhan A. Sirkeci

This paper presents the results of pilot scale column flotation applications in the two different copper concentrators in Turkey. The Kure Copper Plant is located in the Black Sea Region of Turkey. In Kure, a very fine grinding requirement for an adequate level of liberation makes a successful flotation difficult and consequently the final concentrate can hardly assay above 16% Cu Column flotation tests were conducted at the plant site using two different column types The experiments proved that the grade of the concentrate could be increased from about 14% Cu to 25-26% Cu. Murgul Cakmakkaya Copper Concentrator is the largest copper concentrator in Turkey. Although concentrate production capacity is around 170,000 tons annually with 22-23% Cu content, this figure tends to be much lower than that. In Murgul a Turbo Column of Multotec Company of South Africa was employed. As a result of systematic column flotation tests, the grade of the concentrate was increased from 20.3% Cu to 28.7% Cu.

Jan 1, 2003

By E. V. Konoplev

Russia is one of the largest manufacturers of potash fertilizers in the world. Processing of potash ores basically is carried out by a flotation way. Potash ores of the Verhnekamsky potash deposit contain sylvite (KCl), halite (NaCl) and water insoluble impurity (up to 8 %), presented silicate- carbonate minerals, easily slimed by ore crushing in rod mills. Ore of some deposit sites, developed by ?Uralkali? Co, contains a significant amount of a carnal-lite (KCl.MgCl2.6H2O). Work practice of flotation potash plants has shown, that increase of car-nallite content in ore leads to increase magnesium ion content in a circulated plant brine (saturated salt solution of potassium and sodium chlorides-sylvite brine) and to deterioration of indicators of ore processing. In the Paper we present results of researches of floatability of various size sylvite and influences silicate-carbonate slimes on sylvite flotation in brines with the various magnesium chloride content. It is established, that with increase magnesium chloride content in the brine mainly decreases the flotation of coarse sylvite and amplifies adverse effect of silicate-carbonate slimes on sylvite flotation. In this connection deterioration of potash ore flotation is caused not only decrease sylvite floatability but also strengthening adverse action of water insoluble impurity on potash flotation. It is shown that the application of frothing agents, which render the stronger dispersive action on the colloidal-micellar structures of amine in the salt solution increases the absorption of collector on the sylvite and improves the flotation of sylvite into magnesium the containing salt solutions. The application of an organic depressor to the greatest degree of decreasing the absorption amine on the slimes and to the smallest degree possessing anionic properties proves to be most effective with the flotation carnallite of the containing potassium ores. It is offered the application the frother on a basis of glycol ethers and organic depressor on a basis of urea-formaldehyde resin. Results of industrial tests developed reagent modes for flotation treatment of ores with the raised carnallite content (to 6 %) on ?Uralkali? Co plant have shown that their application has allowed to receive equivalent indicators potash flotations at change of magnesium chloride content in the brine from 0.7 % up to 2.4 % .

Jan 1, 2014

By Z. S. Abisheva

Rare and rare earth metals use quite often is an indicator of national economy development. The world structure of the rare-earth metals manufacturing countries in 2015 was presented as follows: China – 94.2%, India – 2.0%, Russia – 1.8%, the USA – 1.2%, Brazil – 0.5%, Malaysia – 0.3%. In Russia, large reserves of rare-earth metals, which reach nearly 28 million tons, are revealed. Kazakhstan, possessing a raw materials source of rare-earth metals, has all prerequisites for development of branch. Rare metals are manufactured in Kazakhstan incidentally by non-ferrous metals production. The production of indium, thallium, cadmium, selenium, tellurium, bismuth is made at the Ust-Kamenogorsk lead plant; tantalum, beryllium, niobium and molybdenum – at the enterprises of “National Atomic Company Kazatomprom” JSC. Production of a titanium, magnesium and vanadium is adjusted on “Ust-Kamenogorsk Titanium-magnesium Plant” JSC. Capacities for beryllic production yield are available on “Ulba Metallurgical Plant” JSC. The main producer of perrhenic production and osmium-187 is "Zhezkazganredmet" RSE. The single producer of gallium in Kazakhstan is “Aluminium of Kazakhstan” JSC; the capacity of enterprise is 25 t a year. In Kazakhstan innovative technologies for rare and rare earths mineral raw materials processing are created. The technology has been developed and a vacuum distillation apparatus has been created to purify crude selenium, which makes it possible to obtain a metal with a main component content of 99.9-99.99%. Technologies for processing of technogenic wastes and byproducts of the copper industry are developed. Implementation of technologies allow to obtain ammonium perrhenate, perrhenic acid, osmium isotope -187, tribasic lead sulphate, silver-concentrate. The technology of complex processing of black shales of Balasauskandyk deposit with the production of gold, vanadium, rare earth elements, uranium and ferrosilicon has been proposed. The processing was carried out using methods of autoclave leaching, sorption, extraction, precipitation. A highly profitable sorption technology for recovery of rhenium from solutions of underground leaching of uranium ores containing 0.2-0.4 mg/L of Re has been created. The organization of ammonium perrhenate production from solutions of uranium ore will significantly increase the volume of its production in Kazakhstan.

Jan 1, 2018

By Dianyin Liang, Hongxiang Ran, Xiaoming Wang, Xiaoou Xia

"This paper presents a new magnetic separator, which can be applied to increase the grade of fine magnetite ore feeding of ball mill. This innovative equipment possesses a rotating magnetic system and has a magnetic field of rapid polarity change which can strengthen the destruction of magnetic agglomerations and the dispersion of minerals to improve the quality of separation. Now this type separators have been successfully applied in several large concentrating plants such as Shuichang Iron Mine under Shouang Mining Company in China. Finally, this paper outlines practical results focused on feed grade and tailing yield, the results are showing that the quality of feeding can be improve tremendously. Hence, a new generator of rotating magnetic field has been paved. INTRODUCTION Jidong region in China is the important origin of iron ore, the characteristics of the iron ore in this region is low grade and complex, the iron mine discharges fine powder tailings reaches tens of millions of tons each year, in the wind action easy to form sand, this poses a threat to the atmosphere environment of Beijing. In order to reduce the mixing of large amount of useless ore and reduce the energy consumption of mill operation, a high efficiency pregrinding equipment is needed. Rotating magnetic field separator (RMS) is an advanced equipment, the main advantage of RMS is the significant reduction in particle entrapment and can easily break magnetic agglomeration. This reduction is so significant that RMS is capable of operating very close to theoritical limit for separator precision and can increace efficiency in selection process.Some expenrimental work on dry rotating magnetic field separation has been carried out in July 1998 in the company Ka Pty Ltd, then in 2008 BGRIMM developed industrial separation XCTG0816 in Shandong province . The wet RMS was researched in1960s in Former Soviet Union and the first industrial equipment was developed by BGRIMM in 1970s,then in 1990s wet RMS was applied in Ansteel group corporation. In 2017,6 units large wet RMS (SXCT1230)which were the largest RMS was applied in Sichuan province. No matter wet RMS and dry RMS, although they are used in differenct applications, they have some common research.in addition ,they all have good use effect."

Jan 1, 2018

By Jacqueline Satur, Yoshiaki Kon, Buenaventurada Calabia, Xiao Sheng Yang, Arvo Naumanen, Kenzo Sanematsu, Sayaka Morita, Tetsuichi Takagi

Granite ores are composed of silicate minerals and a variety of valuable REE (rare earth elements)-bearing minerals, however the processing technique to recover these valuable minerals is not yet developed. In this study, the recovery of REE-bearing minerals by dry magnetic separation and wet high intensity magnetic separation (WHIMS)-settling from surface sample and from drill core sample, respectively, of a granitic REE-Zr-Nb ore deposit was investigated. The two samples have different mineralogy however in both samples, light REE are commonly contained in REE carbonate minerals while Y and heavy REE are commonly contained in zirconium silicate minerals and pyrochlore. The liberation size of the REE-bearing minerals in the two samples ranges from 10-250 ?m. Previous flotation testwork conducted on the drill core sample reported high recoveries of La2O3 (88%) and Ce2O3 (88%) but low recoveries of Y2O3 (42%), ZrO2 (17%), and Nb2O5 (29%). The objective of this study was to obtain higher recoveries of Y2O3, ZrO2, and Nb2O5 by dry magnetic separation and WHIMS-settling. Both processes implemented the application of a low magnetic intensity to initially separate the ferromagnetic minerals then a high magnetic intensity to recover the REE-bearing minerals. The results showed higher recoveries of Y2O3, ZrO2, and Nb2O5 by dry magnetic separation and WHIMS-settling indicating the potential of magnetic separation and gravity separation in recovering the heavy REE-bearing minerals. WHIMS-settling is more recommendable than dry magnetic separation because of its applicability in treating a wider range of particle size. In the WHIMS-settling, the light REE, Y, and Zr minerals were recovered mainly by applying four stages at high magnetic intensity of 21,500 gauss while the weakly magnetic pyrochlore was recovered mainly by decantation of the nonmagnetic slurry after a short settling time of 0.25 to 0.50 h. (MAX.300 words)

Jan 1, 2014

The present study is devoted to improvement of the leaching efficiency during phosphorous removal from high phosphorous gravity-magnetic concentrate. Before leaching the concentrate has been subjected to roasting with the addition of either Ca(OH)2 or CaO. The oolitic iron ore is roasted at 900°C for one hour. This reflects in reaction between alkaline earth additive and quartz, aluminosilicates, phosphorus, and some other minor components of the gangue minerals. The application of leaching, physical separation, and wash out of salts has resulted in the decrease of phosphorus from 0.7 to 0.15 % and it is established that the major influencing factor is the concentration of acid and to a less extent duration of the leaching process. About two third of the phosphorus can be removed by roasting with 3 % CaO to hematite, coarse grinding to d50 0.3 mm, dry high intensity magnetic separation and leaching of the magnetic fraction with hydro-chloric or nitric acid.

Sep 1, 2012

Cyanide is reactive to copper minerals and is not suitable to extract the gold from the copper bearing ores. Ammoniacal thiosulfate is considered an excellent alternative lixiviant for leaching copper bearing gold ores. Unfortunately the results of high reagent consumption and poor gold ex-traction were found by thiosulfate leaching of synthetic gold ores containing chalcopyrite, chalcocite or bornite and a mild refractory copper-bearing sulfidic gold ore. In this investigation, several processes have been applied to reduce the impacts of these minerals on gold leaching. The process included: the pre-oxidation of copper sulphide minerals in water or ammonia solution, the reduction of dissolved oxygen in the lixiviant (0.3 ppm DO or 0.7% oxygen), adding phosphate anion in the leach or pre-leach stage, and the addition of a strong copper ligand (e.g., EDA and DETA). The results indicated that the gold extraction could be improved to 93% with the thiosulfate consumption being reduced to less than 8 kg/t. The dissolution of copper minerals was found to be the major reason for increased consumption of thiosulfate and the highly reductive leached surfaces are responsible for the reduced gold extractions.

Jan 1, 2014

By X. Q. Ma

The beneficiation test on low grade phosphate ore from a state of Russia is carried out. The rougher-cleaner ? re-cleaner system is used in the flotation process, The fineness of grind is 39.07% minus 200 mesh. The result indicates that concentrate containing 31.25% P2O5 can be obtained from the flotation feed assaying 6.18% P2O5, with 93.54% P2O5 recovery. The test result is also a guideline for further development of some currently operated phosphate beneficiation plants.

Jan 1, 2014

By P. Huang, D. W. Fuerstenau

Various factors that control the natural flotability of talc, including differences due to crystal face and edge effects, were delineated. For study of talc depression phenomena, dextrin was used as a model depressant. For the enhancement of talc flotation, dodecylammonium acetate (DDAA) was used as the collector. The interaction of DDAA with talc was assessed by flotation experiments and electrokinetic (zeta potential) measurements, from which the role of hydrophobic bonding can be demonstrated. The results presented in this paper provide useful information on how the crystal chemistry and surface chemistry control the electrical double layer, adsorption phenomena, wettability, and flotation behavior of talc in aqueous media.

Jan 1, 2003

By Z. G. Guan

The tungsten ore in Xingluokeng belongs to a symbiotic deposit containing granite and fine vein-type wolframite and scheelite. The tungsten (WO3wolframite) accounts for only 0.233% of the raw ore, 49.60% of the , 49.60% of the scheelite and 0.8% of the tungstite. The dissemination size of the tungsten ore is extremely uneven, with 0.02~1.28 mm for scheelite and 0.01~1.28 mm for wolframite. The dissemination size of scheelite is coarser than that of wolframite. The size of 83% of scheelite and 60% of wolframite is greater than 0.04 mm. The composition of minerals in the ore is quite complex. The major metallic minerals include wolframite, scheelite and pyrite, which are followed by molybdenite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, limonite, magnetite, hematite and siderite. The major gangue minerals include quartz, feldspar, muscovite, biotite and sericite, which are followed by chlorite, fluorite, apatite, dolomite, etc. According to the dissemination features and liberation degree of the tungsten minerals, the technology flowsheet of gravity concentration for coarse particles and flotation for fine particles to re-cover the low-grade and fine vein-type tungsten minerals is adopted, and -0.7 mm is selected as the processing size. The closed-circuit grinding procedure, with the combination of the rod mill and high-frequency vibration screen, is adopted. The grinding product is classified into three products of -0.7 +0.2 mm, -0.2 +0.04 mm and -0.04 mm. The gravity separation is adopted for the former two to recover tungsten minerals and the flotation is adopted for the last one. Under the condition that the raw ore contains 0.23% WO3, some technology indexes of beneficiation have been achieved. The gravity tungsten concentrate contains 63.54% WO3 with the recovery 70.11%. The slime flotation tungsten concentrate contains 35.22% WO3 with the recovery 10.48%. The composite tungsten concentrate contains 57.53% WO3 with the recovery 80.59%. Thus, the tungsten minerals are re-covered effectively.

Jan 1, 2014

By F. Karakas

Organo-bentonite production enjoys important applications including solvent based paints and, more importantly, the production of polymer/bentonite nanocomposites. Quarternary ammonium salts in this regard are still considered as the most versatile reagents in the process of hydrophobization. In this study, a purified form of Resadiye region bentonites, which is one of the most significant sodium bentonite deposits in the world, was used. The raw Na-Bentonite was typically characterized by chemical analysis, XRD and DTA analysis and more importantly for its cation exchange capacity (CEC). Other technological properties such as swelling index, pH, apparent viscosity, water absorption, oil absorption were also conducted on the raw bentonite. The mineralogical analysis of the raw bentonite reveals that it contains about 80 % montmorillonite together with other associated gangue minerals including feldspar, quartz, calcite, dolomite, coloured impurities and other clay minerals. The raw bentonite was subjected to two stage processing involving a series of hydrocylones. Different apex and vortex diameters and different pressures were employed in order to produce a bentonite concentrate with 95 meq/100g CEC from a CEC of 71 meq/100 g. This high quality concentrate was used in the production of organo-bentontonite. The modification was performed with two different quaternary amines, i.e. Trimethyl Phenyl Ammonium Chloride (TPAC) and Hexadecyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (HDTMA-Br). In the modification procedure, three parameters, i.e., adsorption density, zeta potential, swelling index and apparent viscosity were studied simultaneous-ly from the same suspension to identify both the mechanism of the process and also the degree of hydrophobicity. Adsorption measurements were made as a function of conditioning period, pH, and reagent concentration. Simultaneous examination of the adsorption density, zeta potential and apparent viscosity enabled us to pinpoint the optimum region of hydrophobicity which was subsequently tested by settling and critical coagulation concentration in both water as polar and toluene as nonpolar solvents. The results are analyzed in the light of experimental data.

Jan 1, 2014

By V. A. Chanturiya

The results of development of new collecting reagents selectively interacting with the metals of platinum group (MPG) are presented. A new approach to the concentration of the platinum minerals from the fine grade platinum containing products with the use of cloud point polymers for the first time proposed for this purpose is discussed. An original method for the investigation of complexing reagents with the platinum under flotation conditions developed by authors is described. The influence of the complexing reagents on the xanthate adsorption and on the electrochemical properties of the platinum arsenide surface (sperrylite) as well with the interaction mechanism between the reagent and metallic platinum were investigated by means of the modern physical and physicochemical methods of the solid and fluid phase studies. The results of tests of some complexing reagents with the rich copper-nickel ore in the cycle of nickel-pyrrhotite flotation are given. The data obtained makes it possible to mark the complexing reagent containing phosphine group as the most effective additional collector for MPG. Cloud point polymers containing thioamide, aminosulphide, and phosphine functional groups were examined. It is shown that all the reagents tested increase the platinum and palladium extraction to the nickel-pyrrhotite concentrate without quality loss. Platinum containing particles flocculate selectively.

Jan 1, 2014

By A. A. Lavrinenko, N. I. Gluhova, L. M. Sarkisova, D. V. Makarov

"The purpose of the study is to study the feasibility of using sodium diisobutyl dithiophosphinate (DDP) to enhance the recovery of platinum group elements from low-grade refractory copper-nickel ores characterized by a portion of nickel and platinum group elements (PGEs) locked in the dominant sulfide mineral — pyrrhotite. These ore characteristics dictate the need to produce a bulk PGE-containing sulfide concentrate due to the difficulties of producing selective concentrates without a significant loss of the metals.New data on the adsorption and flotation performance of DDP-containing collectors were obtained by measuring the electrode potential, hydrophobicity of the sulfide mineral surfaces and by means of extraction spectrophotometry and flotation studies. The interaction between DDP, pyrrhotite, and pentlandite leads to the formation of surface hydrophobic layers consisting mainly of disulfide and a small amount of metal compounds. These adsorption layers are formed by the reaction with butyl xanthate. In the case of cooperite, DDP reacts with the surface, forming not only disulfide, as in the case of butyl xanthate, but also a complex platinum compound. DDP-containing agents demonstrate stronger collecting properties with respect to sulfide minerals of copper-nickel ores compared to butyl xanthate, which is explained by a stronger hydrophobizing effect and foaming properties.The addition of a combination of DDP-containing agents and butyl xanthate at a ratio of 3:1 for the recovery of sulfides and PGEs in the bulk flotation of copper-nickel ore made it possible to improve the recovery of Ni, Pt, and Pd by 13.6, 9.2, and 9.4%, respectively, relative to the recovery achieved in flotation with butyl xanthate.Bulk flotation with the addition of a composition of DDP-containing agents and butyl xanthate allows the most complete recovery of all valuable elements and is the only technologically feasible method for processing of lowgrade ores, when it is impossible to produce without loss high-grade selective concentrates suitable for smelting."

Jan 1, 2018

By Andrew Logan

Newcrest has a strong history of growth over the past 20 years, yielding value from previously marginal ore bodies. We have grown regionally in Asia Pacific through our operations in Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, and also established a beachhead in West Africa. The company has a reputation of realizing value from large, low-grade deposits adopting step change approaches. Newcrest is focused on an overall strategy of gold, low cost, long life and moderate growth. Capability step changes play a large delivery role. They transition from a business offline-to-online approach as opportunities mature. Newcrest believes in a) Knowing what ?good? looks like, b) An open innovation approach to actively working with others, c) The leap frogging leverage of making the ?old new again?, d)An adopt-adapt-develop methodology enabled by rapid prototyping/piloting, e) Getting our handsdirty with test work and plant analysis, and f) Staying focused on a few high business leverage areas. This paper describes Newcrest?s approach and our experiences in establishing renewed metallurgical processes, specifically aimed at increasing innovation adoption. Some of our step changes discussed include: 1) Early waste rejection to avoid high energy processing downstream, 2) Broader gold product channels to reduce site based processing needs, 3) Lower energy processing, and 4) Geo-Metallurgy approaches. Keywords: Newcrest, gold, step change, open innovation, adopt, adapt, develop, offline, online, prototyping, old new again, waste rejection, low energy, geo-metallurgy

Sep 1, 2012