Modern Mining January 2024
Multotec eyes environmental clean-up projects
Environmental restoration is an important consideration for Multotec, a leading mineral processing equipment manufacturer. The company recently undertook several environmental clean up projects that have yielded positive outcomes. Faan Bornman, Technology Manager at Multotec, explains that the company had been approached by several clients to see whether it could provide solutions to specific environmental issues. Initially, Multotec was contacted by a company based in Spain that specialises in crushing and milling accident-damaged cars that have been written off. The client required a solution that would separate the metal and plastic parts of vehicles to recycle the metal. “We conducted test work using spirals – equipment usually used in mineral processing – to establish if we could separate the materials, and we were successful. Apart from being able to dis tinguish the plastic from the metal, we took it a step further and used magnetic separation to extract the iron from the samples,” says Bornman. “Secondly, a South African electronic recycling company, DESCO Electronic Recyclers also approached us as they required PC components to be recycled. An important ele ment of this process is to separate the metals from the plastics and non-valuable waste. Enrico Airaga, Technical Director at DESCO Electronic Recyclers, adds that by attempting to separate the unwanted plastics from the metals, the material is upgraded to a much better quality. This enhances the product and the profitability of the fraction. Bornman mentioned that while these were once-off
Multotec eyes environmental clean-up projects with test work yielding successful results. projects, they proved that Multotec could use its existing mineral processing equipment for environmental rehabilitation work, an area the company is eager to explore. “While we have not commercialised our environmental clean up processes, this is an area where we could potentially make a significant contribution. This forms part of our drive to enhance the performance and efficiency of our products to maximise the sepa ration of valuable materials from non-valuables, thus addressing many customers’ primary challenges,” Bornman concludes.
January 2024 MODERN MINING 63
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