South Africa’s Mineral Resources Minister, Susan Shabangu, has recently launched Mintek’s R44 million water atomising plant located at the research organisation’s Randburg site.

Mintek is South Africa’s national mineral research organisation and it is one of the world’s leading technology organisations specialising in mineral processing, extractive metallurgy and related areas. The water atomising plant will provide an effective means for the production of solid metal powder from six ton batches of molten metal.

The new atomiser plant was designed and built by MDM Engineering who sourced the atomisation technology from UK-based metals processing company Atomising Systems.

Inside the atomiser high pressure jets impinge on the molten stream to break it down into fine particles which can vary in size depending on the alloy and the pressure of the jets. The solidified particles are initially separated from the water by a magnetic separator followed by a dewatering screw. The final drying of the powder takes place in a rotary kiln.

According to Mintek, the new plant will initially be used for a two-year research and development project for Anglo American Platinum.

Unveiling the new plant, Shabangu said the facility represents an on-going collaboration between Mintek and the platinum industry. “The launch of this programme could not have come at a better time when the mining industry, particularly the platinum sector, is faced with crippling global market conditions,” the Minister stated.

 Mintek’s research campus in Randburg, South Africa

www.mintek.co.za 

Posted by: Paul Whittaker, Editor ipmd.net, [email protected]   

News | Articles | Market reviews | Search directory | Subscribe to e-newsletter