We recognise that unlocking new technology is essential for mineral processing operations to become more sustainable. We’re heavily investing in multiple research initiatives with mining companies and academia, to target challenges around four main priority areas.

  1. Extracting more product
  2. Reducing water consumption
  3. Reducing energy consumption
  4. Eliminating tailings dams

As Thomas Edison said, “the value of the idea lies in the using of it”. Showcased below are a few of our recent value driven ideas.

NOVACELL™ COARSE PARTICLE FLOTATION GENERATING OUTSTANDING RESULTS

In collaboration with world renowned expert Laureate Professor Graeme Jameson, Jord is pleased to announce the launch of NovaCell™; the next generation of coarse particle flotation technology.

Early results indicate NovaCell™ could unlock a 40% reduction in comminution energy and a 12% reduction in overall site operating cost.

Jord’s patented NovaCell™ flotation technology recovers a wide particle size range, from the lower limit of flotation to the upper limit of coarse particle flotation. This ensures maximum product yield.  Jameson explains that “the finest particles are contacted with bubbles in the high-shear aerator, while the coarse particles are captured in the gentle environment within the fluidized bed.”

The real point of difference is NovaCell™ combines a high shear and a low shear zone in the one flotation cell.  This allows Novacell™ to produce high grade froth products from the overflow of the cell and a secondary coarse product from within the fluidized bed.

By incorporating the NovaCell™ into a flow sheet, dry stacking of tailings can now come into consideration, further turning the dial towards eliminating traditional tailings dams.

Click here to find out more on NovaCell™ mining applications

Click here to download NovaCell™ brochure

VIPER™ TECHNOLOGY UNLOCKS SCALABLE, COST-EFFECTIVE TAILINGS FILTRATION

Modern miners are looking to stretch boundaries, contemplating the innumerable, wide reaching benefits of dewatering tailings, particularly at scale. Many applications are challenging.  Those with variable mineralogy, fine particle size distribution or requiring dewatering at high altitude are cases in point. This is beyond the scope of many currently available filtration technologies.

Our recently patented Viper™ technology overcomes this gap. A mechanical enhancement to that industry proven work horse – the vacuum belt filter – Viper™ produces significantly lower moisture content cake and increased throughput capacity.  This is achieved whilst retaining all the benefits belt filter technology has over alternative filtration solutions; reliability, scalability and cost effectiveness.

Demonstrable proof has been attained with full scale installations in commercial operation for iron ore, gold and coal applications. And it’s not just about tailings. Similar advantages are evident for mineral concentrate applications.

TAILINGS TO TOPSOIL

We’ve teamed up with the University of Newcastle to address the environmental challenge of tailings disposal for mining operations. This transformational alternative for tailings management optimises existing tailings dewatering and soil remediation technology into an integrated “pit to paddock” emplacement and cultivation system. It’s a cost-effective solution for turning a problem of tailings utilisation into a valuable solution for the restoration of native flora and/or energy crop production. Thus transforming a historic legacy into a sustainable farming system that could well support the local community well after mining has ceased.

TURBO-CHARGING MINERALS SEPARATION EFFICENCY

XtractOre™ is another new technology poised to deliver a 10 to 100 fold increase in the speed of fine particle separation. The benefit to mineral processors is firstly, a step change increase in the grade and recovery of valuable minerals for metals production.  Secondly, substantial capex and opex savings flowing from the substantially reduced footprint that a XtractOre™ separation process plant requires, relative to conventional separation processes.

XtractOre™ is a result of extensive research by our collaboration partner Laureate Professor Kevin Galvin, based in the University of Newcastle.