Course content

The course provides an introduction to mineral processing. This includes an overview of the main unit operations with respect to comminution (crushing and grinding), classification/screening and mineral separation (gravity separation, magnetic separation, electric separation, flotation, dewatering and sorting). The combination of unit operations into circuits is also covered, as well as the calculation of separation efficiencies, recoveries and mass balances in separation circuits. The importance of efficient mineral processing for sustainable utilisation of mineral resources is stressed throughout the course.

Learning outcome

Competences:

The students should be able to explain and communicate the role and importance of mineral processing in the mineral production value chain from mineral deposit to product with respect to both technical performance and sustainability.

The students should be able to explain the link between the properties of the raw material and the choice of processing solution and use this knowledge to identify critical process choices for a given mineral deposit.

The students should be in possession of fundamental mineral processing competence that qualifies for further studies in mineral processing.

Knowledge and skills:

The students should be able to explain the function of the most important unit operations in minerals processing, explain the physical and chemical principles that control these unit operations and give examples of the most common equipment that is used.

Furthermore, the students are expected to describe the applicability and limitations of the most important fragmentation and separation equipment with respect to particle size, capacity, water content/pulp thickness and energy consumption.

The students should be able to propose basic flowsheets for mineral processing of raw materials with given properties and to calculate simple mass balance and separation results, including the use of partition curves. The students should be able to calculate and use particle size distributions and mineral liberation curves, and to make initial calculations for sizing of ball mills and simple classifiers.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures. Obligatory exercises. Course evaluation using questionnaire.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

Good knowledge of chemistry, mechanics and physics. One should also be motivated to learn the names of the most common minerals if not known previously.

Course materials

Textbook: Wills' Mineral Processing Technology - An Introduction to the Practical Aspects of Ore Treatment and Mineral Recovery, 8th ed., 2015

Lecture presentations (Powerpoint/pdf)

Credit reductions