Old Tricks For New Dogs Areas For Focus In Mineral Sand Processing

There are basic areas of importance within a concentrator or mineral separation plant, which require focus to ensure acceptable recoveries, throughputs remain at an acceptable level and product grades meet specification. Professional and para-professionals within the mineral sands industry are in demand due to the booming resource sector. Added to this, new mineral sands operations are being commissioned straining the industry further. These factors have increased staff turnover and introduced many new people to the industry. It is essential these new entrants are armed with basic plant troubleshooting skills relevant to the minerals sands industry to minimize production lost through poor recoveries. Mineral sands processing does not involve highly technical or sophisticated unit processes. However, success is often slow to arise due to a lack of detailed understanding, as well as managing multiple interrelated unit processes within a plant. Fundamental background physical conditions (such as equipment loading and water quality) must be met for unit processes to be efficient. Technical management of these process plants should always include observation of these background conditions for they often provide the answer to underperformance. Examples are presented with an indication of the possible effects on recovery and product grade.