Effect of HPGR on platinum bearing ores and the flotation response as compared to the conventional ball mill

• Main Author: Solomon, Nomonde
• Other Authors: Mainza, Aubrey
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2015
• Subjects: Bioprocess Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/11277

Includes abstract. === Includes bibliographical references. === This thesis focuses on the application of the high pressure grinding rolls (HPGR) on platinum bearing ores Merensky, UG2 and Platreef. Conventional tumbling mills such as the ball mill that are typically applied on these ore types are highly energy intensive with a small percentage of the input energy being used for actual breakage. Rapidly increasing energy costs have contributed to the rising interest of the HPGR in the platinum industry, particularly in plants processing UG2 and Platreef ores. Therefore, this thesis seeks to determine if the HPGR can be used as an alternative to the ball mill. Key aspects of interest are throughput, energy efficiency, PGE grade and recovery and PGM liberation.