Mineral processing I - basics

Duration

30h Th, 30h Labo., 10h Proj., 1,5d FW

Number of credits

Lecturer

Stoyan Gaydardzhiev

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course is dealing with the mineral processing operations which form an important part of the metals value chain - how the minerals extracted from the mine are transformed to finished metal products. In this context, the following major chapters are discussed:
Basic techniques for bulk solids characterization and their implication to ore fragmentation, mineral phase liberation and estimation of separation efficiency. Sampling of particulate materials.
Mechanisms of size reduction, fragmentation theories and energy requirements for size reduction. Work index of ores. Type of crushers and their integration in circuit design.
Milling, screening and classification of mineral ores * Milling - theoretical basis, mill rotation and critical speed aspects. Type of mills and comminution circuit arrangements. * Screening - principles, type of screens and selection criteria. * Classification - principles, type of classifiers, design features.
Common mineral beneficiation techniques - gravity, magnetic, electrostatic and physicochemical (froth flotation) methos. Hydrometallurgical processing - basic theory and operational schemes.
Examples of unit operations as intergrated in flowsheets by the mineral processing industries.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The objective is to introduce the theoretical aspects of common mineral processing techniques and the associated equipment utilized nowadays in mining and extractive metallurgy practices. Students will be acquainted with the basics of solids separation principles when applied to ores and minerals, from the mine down to concentrates production. They will be immersed in team working environment.
The course is designed to enable students to perceive right from the beginning the challenges facing the modern mineral processing industry in terms of equipment development, circuit modeling and situation and geometallurgical consideration.
At the end of this introductory course, students will possess the pre-required background and will be prepared to follow the in-depth basic (S8) and advanced and specialized (S9) courses in mineral processing (only the case for students subscribed to the EMERALD program).

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Basic knowledge in mineralogy, particle characterization and process engineering is a plus

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Labs on the following topics: sampling, granulometric analysis, grinding, gravity separation, froth flotation with elaboration of final basic flowsheet for the mineral under study. Basic calculations for preliminary metallurgical performance evaluation and results discussions.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

Face-to-face but could differ as function of how the epidemic situation evolves
First quadrimester of the academic year 2021-22; Wednesdays a.m.

Recommended or required readings

Wills B., Finch J., Mineral Processing Technology; An Introduction to the Practical Aspects of Ore Treatment and Mineral Recovery, Butterworth-Heinemann; 8-th edition, 2016, ISBN: 978-0-08-097053-0, avaibale as e-version
I. Svoboda - Industrial application of magnetic methods of material treatment - available in e-from at E-campus Furstenau M; Han K; (eds) Principles of Mineral Processing, SME, 2003
Gupta A, Yan D; Mineral Processing design and operation: An introduction; I ed, Elsevier 2006 - available in pdf form at E-campus platform
Ek C., Masson A., Cours de mineralurgie (Preparation des Minerais), 1973, Editions Derouaux, Liege - version pdf sur e-campus Kelly E G, Spottiswood DJ. Introduction to mineral processing, 1982, John WIlley and Sons
Kawatra, Advances in comminution, 2006, SME, Littleton, Colorado

Assessment methods and criteria

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

oral exam

Written work / report


Additional information:

oral exam - 70 % reports on lab practicals; oral presentation of findings; activity and level of attendance during lab sessions - 30 %
The students could be questioned either in English or in French.
Normal situation: The exam will be an oral one involving two questions on the topics seen in class 
In case of impossibility of a face-to-face examination (COVID situation), an oral exam will be organized.    

Work placement(s)

internship not included

Organizational remarks

The course is given in a face-to-face manner during Q1, but other options coudl be envisaged as the situation evolves. 
Classes will take place on Wednesday a.m. . 

Contacts

Stoyan Gaydardzhiev  s.gaydardzhiev@ulg.ac.be
B52/3 , office -1/412, tel 9120
  Mohamed AATACH - Assistant
Mohamed.Aatach@ulg.ac.be

Items online