Modern Mining April 2016

PRODUCT News

Multotec’s pipe launders are well known in the mineral sands and iron-ore mining industries. According to the company, the polyvinyl chloride pipe launders have proved their worth in these arduous applications for many years, significantly outperforming their steel rubber-lined counterparts. Now, chrome producers are taking note of their benefits. This includes Nor tham Chrome Producers, the first chrome miner to put Multotec’s pipe launders to the test, and Multotec’s Graeme Smith reports that the company will be supplying an additional 400 running metres to another undis- closed chrome producer shortly. The pipe launders were supplied as part of a spiral retrofit project at Northam Chrome Producers’ recovery plant. A total of 72 of Multotec’s HX5 and HX3 spi- rals were designed, manufactured and installed, boosting the plant’s recoveries by as much as 6 %. The plant was using conventional steel Pipe launders make their way to chrome rubber-lined pipe launders that had been designed initially for the previous installed spirals and were also due for replacement. Smith says that Multotec’s Technology Division discussed the many advantages offered by its pipe launders with the plant’s management team. “We detailed the pro- posed layout of the launder solutions, and the team really liked our idea of ensuring a more durable and tidier installation that would also be safer and easier to maintain over time,” says Smith. One of the biggest benefits offered by the company’s pipe launders is their durability. Smith says some of the com- pany’s installations in the mineral sands production environment have lasted for up to nine years in highly corrosive coastal environments. What is more, they are easy to maintain. Their design incorporates a replaceable polyurethane boot inside the pipe that endures wear, as opposed to the inside of the pipe. Manufactured from a much lighter

material than steel and having a smaller outside diameter, the Multotec pipe launders are easier to handle and can be installed by two men without the need for any lifting or hanging equipment. The launder pipes supplied to Northam Chrome Producers have outside diameters of 200 mm, 255 mm and 400 mm. Every pipe launder, which is installed from the collection point leading down to the sump, had to be specially designed and manufactured to fit into the existing footprint of the plant. Bernadette Wilson, Multotec Group, tel (+27 11) 923-6193 The cleaner concentrate and tail pipe launder arrange- ment, together with Multotec distributors.

EFFECTIVE FROTH FLOTATION IMHOFLOT TM PNEUMATIC FLOTATION The distinctive and unique principles of our patented Imhoflot™ mineral processing technology has been developed over 25 years in industrial applications. The centrifugal forces of the Imhoflot™ G and H-Cells separate the phases after mineral collection, which allows a reduction in the size of the vessels required. Imhoflot™ proprietary technology has simplified, sped-up and enhanced the flexibility of a wide variety of feed grades in the separation process, with high unit throughput capacities and a cost-effective compact modular design.

Maelgwyn Mineral Services Africa (Pty) Ltd Tel +27 (0)11 474 0705 Fax +27 (0)11 474 5580 Email MMSA@maelgwynafrica.com www.maelgwynafrica.com