Mining & Mineral Processing

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Highland's parent company, SciDev is an industry leader in solids-liquid separation in the mineral processing sector. SciDev chemistries and professional services maximize the operational performance of mineral processing systems and ensure minimal water is passed as waste into the tailings circuit.

OptiFlox® is a proprietary system that provides real-time monitoring of solid-liquid separation in mineral processing.

 

OptiFlox® continuously measures the particle characteristics of processing liquids in the mineral industry, such as coal slurry or the liquids on flotation tanks.  The OptiFlox technology maintains optimal flocculation conditions through automatic, real-time control of coagulant dosing. A provisional patent application has been filed in Australia relating to the technology.

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OptiFlox minimises losses in productivity and revenue via enhancing tailings thickener performance to produce consistent and reliable clarified water for return to the plant

 

Our OptiFlox® system combined with our range of MaxiFlox chemistries are most effective for minerals with high clay content such as mineral sands, alumina, and coal.  Our technology is used across a range of commodities including:

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• Coal

• Gold and silver

• Lead and zinc

• Iron ore

• Copper and nickel

• Uranium

• Bauxite

• Aluminium

• Mineral

• Sands

• Clay and titanium mining

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Some examples of the utilisation of the OptiFlox® technology include:

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Shut down of tailing thickeners

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​It is well known that from time to time mines are confronted with the issue of very turbid water flowing from their tailings thickener. The clarity of this water from the thickener can deteriorate to an unacceptable level, resulting in the wash plant shutting down and production ceasing. Substantial losses in productivity and revenue can result.

 

Product losses from coal thickeners

 

At times, coal mines are also challenged with the issue of product losses flowing from coal fines thickeners. Sometimes referred to as “rafting”, less than optimal surface charge conditions prevent coal fines from being totally captured, and valuable product is lost.

 

OptiFlox® is a proprietary system that addresses these operational issues. It is a new technology that continuously measures the particle characteristics of coal slurry in order to maintain optimal flocculation conditions through automatic, real-time control of coagulant dosing. A provisional patent application has been filed in Australia relating to the technology.