03 · Metallurgy
Mineral Processing
Unlocking value from complex, low-grade ores through rigorous mineralogy, test-work and flowsheet engineering.
The global depletion of high-grade ores and the growing demand for valuable minerals have pushed the industry towards processing complex, low-grade deposits. Treating such ores frequently yields poor grade and recovery, and an uneconomic operation, because the mineralogy, petrology, suitable surfactants, electro-kinetic behaviour and physico-chemical properties of the ore were never fully investigated.
Spheroid Engineering Limited has qualified metallurgists who help mines optimise grade and recovery from exactly these ores.
01 Laboratory work
We carry out mineralogical characterisation of samples via thin sections using petrological microscopy, EPMA, SEM and XRD. Wet-sieve analysis and particle-size distribution are determined routinely. Our metallurgists also run comminution, flotation, magnetic, gravity, flocculation, hydrometallurgy, sizing and classification, thickening and filtration, water-remediation, environmental, analytical, adsorption and electrokinetic studies, in the presence and absence of candidate surfactants.
02 Plant optimisation
As a mine moves through its life cycle the plant feed changes continuously. Each process stage must be monitored and adjusted to hold the desired output. SEL monitors and optimises every stage, through to waste treatment, by means of simulation and experiment.
03 Flowsheet design
Our flowsheets are built on a detailed understanding of the physico-chemical properties of the deposit and comprehensive laboratory investigation. We design and conduct rigorous test-work programmes for new and existing plants, then develop economical, efficient and robust flowsheets for beneficiation and extraction.
