Fine grinding of ores using milling agents
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Grinding operations in the mining industry consume substantial amounts of both water and energy. Furthermore, the efficiency of the comminution process directly influences the recovery rates of target metals. This collaborative project aims to design and evaluate novel grinding additives (milling agents) tailored for refractory ores (e.g., gold and rare earth elements), with the goal of enhancing metal liberation by improving grinding performance. A key research challenge lies in developing chemical additives that are compatible with conventional grinding modes (wet and dry) as well as with downstream processing agents employed in ore beneficiation (e.g., flotation). The integration of such grinding additives offers several potential advantages:
- Ensure compatibility with common industrial grinding systems (vertical mills, ball mills, and semi-autogenous SAG mills).
- Enhance mineral recovery while improving the separation of impurities.
- Increase the production of fine particles and improve their dispersion and fluidity, thereby minimizing agglomeration.
- Facilitate the extraction of fine particles, reducing material recirculation in the mill and improving overall throughput.
- Lower energy consumption during grinding and extend equipment lifetime.
- Decrease water usage, contributing to more sustainable and environmentally responsible mining practices.
This project will participate in the training of two Master’s students and one doctoral candidate and will enable the development of novel milling agents tailored for the mining industry. These innovations aim to improve process profitability and reduce energy consumption; while simultaneously enhancing the competitiveness and innovation capacity of Prodexim, a company specialized in milling agents.
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