Capital Equipment News April 2018

MINERALS PROCESSING

Processing costs down the drain

Following a rigorous two-year validation process in both pilot and industrial field trials, Metso’s new MHC Series range of hydrocyclones is now available to the mining industry. At a time when the industry is grappling with depleting ore grades and rising energy costs, the range has a special design focus on improved process performance and maintainability to help balance cost and performance of a grinding circuit. By Munesu Shoko.

D espite rebounding commodity from depleting ore grades to increased operational expenses. No large-scale investments are being made into the mining sector, and developments are mainly in operational optimisation through processing improvements such as adjustment to equipment, reduced losses and increased product quality. For these reasons, selecting equipment that improves overall plant performance through improved grinding circuit prices, the mining sector is still facing plenty challenges, ranging

performance and optimised recovery of valuable minerals is a key objective for any mine owner. Bearing in mind the impact that classification equipment technology has on both capital and operating expenses, as well as overall plant performance, it should, therefore, be a priority for mining management to prioritise the selection of equipment that provides acceptable availability and maintenance costs. Based on extensive market research and industry feedback, Metso identified these parameters as the basis for the development of its MHC Series hydrocylone

range, focusing on both improved process performance and maintainability. Initially introduced at MineExpo in 2016, the line has seven different hydrocyclone sizes available, ranging from 100 to 800 mm in diameter, and will cover a range of classification requirements from 300 microns down to 20 microns in wet processing applications. According to Charles Ntsele, Metso’s GM of Capital Equipment Sales, Africa and Middle East, the hydrocylone range closes the last gap in Metso’s product portfolio, allowing the OEM to offer a full solution to its customers’ grinding circuit needs. He

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