Physical Separation ’19 – MEI

Physical Separation '19 is organised by Minerals Engineering International (MEI) and is sponsored by Holman-Wilfley, Steinert, TOMRA Sorting Solutions, Outotec, Master Magnets, Hudbay Minerals & CRC ORE. Media sponsors are International Mining & Imformed and the Coalition for Eco-Efficient Comminution (CEEC) are industry advocates.

Although chemical methods of concentration and extraction dominate the industry, the physical separation methods are ubiquitous. Whether it be gravity concentration, classification or dewatering, the principles of separation are essentially the same, and there is no mining operation in the world which does not make use of the density differences between solids and liquids somewhere in the flowsheet. Magnetic and electrical methods also have important roles to play when methods such as flotation fail.

With the need to reduce energy and water consumption, sensor based automatic ore sorting is becoming increasingly important in comminution circuits, in order to remove waste and sub-marginal grade material and produce a coarse upgraded preconcentrate early in the flowsheet, and reduce the volume of final tailings.

MEI's 6th Physical Separation conference will therefore bring together researchers and operators who have common interests in:

• Gravity concentration methods - single and multi-G separators and dense medium separation
• Classification techniques - hydrocyclones, air classifiers etc.
• Solid-Liquid Separation - thickeners, clarifiers etc.
• Electronic Sorting
• Magnetic and electrostatic separation
• Microwave technology. There are many aspects of mineral processing where the use of microwaves has potential and papers dealing with the enhancement of physical processes by microwaves are encouraged.

Physical Separation '19 is certified for Continuing Professional Development.