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Presentation Outline ERM ? corporate profile Background to sustainability reporting GRI G3 Guidelines (Oct 2006) Best practice examples Contact information ERM ? corporate profile Over 35 years of experience World?s largest all-environmental consultancy* 130+ offices in 40+ countries; 3,200+ professional staff Worked with >50% of the Global Fortune 500 (FY07) Annual turnover > US$500 M (FY07) 2008 Environmental Advisor of Year** Offices/Staff ? Canada (5/50) and US (65/1,350) *Source: Engineering News Record: July 2, 2007 ** Source: Acquisitions Monthly: December 2007

May 1, 2008

By C. Desmeules

"Carbon addition in the oxide pelletizing process is a big concern at the Sidbec-Normines pelletizing plant since 1976.Laboratory pot-grate testing carried out before the initial start-up of the Port-Cartier plant indicated that the nominal pelletizing grate capacity could be increased by fifteen per cent with a suitable carbon addition. Also an improved induration cycle offered the possibility of a significant energy reduction within the process with no adverse effect on pellet quality. A one-month plant scale program duplicated the lab test results and confirmed the anticipated cost saving by using these techniques. Since March 1980, Sidbec-Normines used coke addition as a current operation.This paper reviews briefly earlier laboratory and in-plant test work carried out to investigate the effects of adding carbon materials to the Fire Lake hematite concentrate, and presents operation techniques and plant results of carbon addition in the Port -Cattier pellet plant.IntroductionThe Sidbec-Normines pelletizing plant at Port-Cartier, Quebec, is designed to produce six million ton s per year of oxide pellet s. It is a Dravo-built two-line plant; one line to produce three million s tons per year of blast furnace grade pellets averaging 5.5 per cent silica, and another line of three million ton s to produce direct reduction grade pellets of about 2.0 percent silica.The laboratory pot-grate test program was conducted in 1977 at the British Steel Corporation Research Laboratories in England, with the assistance of J .E. Appleby, consultant to British Steel Corporation (overseas services) Limited.The purpose of that test program was to determine the optimum energy saving cycle and to study the physical and metallurgical effects on blast furnace and direct reduction pellets."

Jan 1, 1983

By Omero Alonso-Gonzalez, Sergio Haro-Rodriguez, Ricardo Solis-Rodriguez, Francisco Alvarado-Hernandez, Juan Antonio Gonzalez-Anaya, Héctor Rene Vega-Carrillo

"Precious metals are currently associated with refractory minerals such as telluride (Calaverite, Sylvanite, etc.) and selenium (Naumannite Ag2Se), which are difficult to dissolve through traditional methods, therefore it is necessary to perform a pretreatment (oxidative or roasting) preceding the process of leaching by cyanidation. In this preliminary work the aim was to study the use of solvent extraction to remove tellurium and selenium ions from a synthetic cyanidation effluent, with the purpose of recycling the cyanide back to the process. For the extraction of these anions, TeO32- and SeO42-, tallow trimethyl ammonium chloride (Quatarmina TPR) and hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (Amine F) were studied as extractants, using nonylphenol as a modifier in the organic phase (trimethylpentane). The results show that it is possible to recover 82% of selenium and 10% of tellurium from synthetic solutions containing either 20 mg/L Se or 20 mg/L of Te, respectively The Se or Te mole ratio to cyanide was 1:4.INTRODUCTION In relation to extraction of precious metals, the cyanidation process has been in use for over a century and despite environmental and toxicological problems it remains the most widely used and economical process available. In the late 90s, there were great efforts to recover gold and silver from refractory ores, which is difficult to do by simple cyanidation. To improve gold recovery from tellurides and selenides that occurs in some new mines, the ores are pretreated by roasting. This is one of the most effective ways of rendering refractory gold ores leachable as well as being a fast pretreatment process compared with bio-oxidation or pressure leaching (Aylmore, 2001). The most important tellurides minerals are Calaverite (AuTe2) and, Silvanite (Au, Ag)2Te4). In the case of selenides, minerals include Naumannite (Ag2Se) and Aguilarite (Ag4SeS) (Ostroumov et al., 1989). Examples of deposits containing telluride include La Bambolla Mine (Sonora, Mexico), Cripple Greek (Colorado, USA), and Kalgoorlie (Western Australia) (Aguayo et al., 1996). The main purpose of this work was to explore the feasibility of using quaternary ammonium salts such as: tallow trimethyl ammonium chloride (Quatarmina TPR) and hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (amine F) to extract tellurium and selenium anions from aqueous synthetic cyanidation effluents, so that the cyanide solution could be recycled back to leaching process. The tests were performed on synthetic solutions similar to those found in a mine: 20 mg/L Te as TeO32-, 20 mg/L Se as SeO42- and mole ratio to cyanide was 1:4. using an alkaline medium with pH ranging from 8 to 12. Two aspects are evaluated in this paper:"

Jan 1, 2017

In terms of throughput, product size and power draw, grindcurves provide a measure of the response of the mill performance to changes in mill operating parameters ? usually mill filling. Since presenting the principle in 2006, grindcurves have been applied to a wide variety of AG and SAG mills. Mill response has been carefully measured for variations in: mill fillings from 15% to 40%; throughput by a factor of two; power by 50%; feed blends; liner profile; and mill speed from 65% to 80%. The outcomes of this extensive program of work are presented as the measured grindcurves. How they have enhanced our understanding of mill operation and how they may be applied to practical daily mill control is discussed. It is proposed that this technique provides a viable and valuable mill control tool that may find extensive application in the industry.

Jan 1, 2012

By A. S. Eve

The detection of magnetic dykes by using magnetic variometers is the oldest application of. geophysics to mining, and is also one of the more simple and certain methods 0f locating such deposits. As a result of recent improvements in the instruments, it is now possible to find the dyke, deter-mine with magnetic variometers its strike and dip', with fair accuracy, and to estimate the approximate depth of overburden when there is no outcrop. The application of electrical methods may be used to distinguish mineral from diabase dykes. The authors have had an opportunity of making surveys with the modern Askania types of vertical and horizontal variometers over magnetic dykes in the Sudbury region. The interpretation of the results has been confirmed by diamond drilling in some cases, and by experiments over models. The variometers used were the standard form of Askania instruments (1). The sensitivity of the horizontal type was 17.2 gammas per division, and that of the vertical variometer double this quantity. To make a preliminary survey of the district, parallel lines were laid off two hundred feet apart running north and south, and readings were taken with the vertical variometer every 100 feet along these lines. This can be done very rapidly, and when an indication of a magnetic deposit is found, the readings may be taken every hundred feet, or less if the size of the deposit warrants smaller intervals. If the deposit is a vein or dyke, the readings along the adjacent lines immediately indicate the strike of the body. Thus the presence and strike of a magnetic dyke, whether of mineral value like the pyrrhotite and nickel deposits of the Sudbury district, or simply a worth-less diabase dyke, is simply and rapidly found.

Jan 1, 1932

By D. M. Hendrick, D. K. Fountain

Since the discovery by conventional prospecting of the Horne deposit in 1920, the Noranda area has produced 82 million tons of copper-zinc-gold-silver ore from sixteen massive sulphide bodies. Recent exploration in the area has consisted of systematic studies employing geology, geophysics and geochemistry. Due to the depth of the deposits being sought, surface geo-physical surveys are limited in their effectiveness as DIRECT indicators. However, because of the geological environment, surface geophysical methods, and the Induced Polarization method in particular, can be success-fully employed as INDIRECT indicators of ore deposits. Examples of survey results from various properties in the Noranda area illustrate the advantages and limitations of the Induced Polarization method as an exploration tool in this area.

Jan 1, 1971

By M. Romana

"RMR geomechanics classification is being used all over the World as a useful tool for tunnel predesign and construction. Bieniawski (1989) provided guidelines for tunnel excavation and support, according RMR numerical values; guidelines which are now included in almost all tunnelling books, regulations, and Internet portals. But in the last 25 years tunnelling techniques have changed and some of the guidelines have become obsolete.. The conditions of tunnels for the 1989 guidelines application were: horseshoe shape; 10 m width; vertical stress < 25MPa; construction by drilling and blasting. Actually a substantial number of tunnels are mechanically excavated. The tunnel themselves are now bigger: a span of 14 m. is very common for transportation tunnels. The guidelines included the following concepts: excavation method, rock bolts (20 mm diameter, fully grouted), shotcrete, steel sets. There is an increasing gap between the 1989 guidelines and the practice: in many tunnels different to-the-case excavation and support requirements are established. Bieniawski himself has published a paper (Lowson & Bieniawski, 2013) with different guidelines based in Lowson’s practice, with no explanations and/or justification.In this paper a new set of RMR tunnelling guidelines is proposed taking account of the actual industry conditions, and increased safety regulations. The 5 classes’ limit RMR:values (80,60,40,20) are no more useful actually: Values of RMR (70, 50, 30) are used in practice to define quite different tunnelling techniques. Consequently a 10 subclasses system is proposed. Each subclass covers a span of 10 RMR points. As the number of mechanically excavated tunnels has increased a new correction factor is necessary, according the excavation method.The proposed 2014 RMR guidelines are for tunnels 10 to 14 meters wide, the world practice for new roads/railways tunnels. Many tunnels for water/ services are smaller with smaller support needs. Wider than 16 m caverns are out of the RMR system.It is not possible, nor desirable, to propose only a value for support in each subclass. The new guidelines propose an interval of values for certain types of support. More pessimistic values must be chosen for wider tunnels, tunnels with lower RMR values in each class and cases when a higher safety factor is asked for. More optimist ones are chosen for narrower tunnels, and higher RMR values. Some alternatives are almost complementary, others are contradictory. Sometimes several different techniques are proposed Guidelines are not automatic options. Good engineering judgment must be used when choosing between the different alternatives. Guidelines are not mandatory suggestions."

Jan 1, 2015

By G. Guzman

In the framework of the optimization of Teniente Converter operation the new system of automatic flux feeding through gar-gun was implemented in the Potrerillos Smelter, Codelco Chile, Salvador Division. The control algoritm based on simple iron and silica balance adjusted by empirical coefficients was incorporated in the logical programmer. The programmer works in real time gathering information from the plant instrumentation events and introduced chemical assays of concentrate, slag and flux. Through the auto-tuning of the automatic operation the criterions of optimal flux dosage were determined. Four month of operation of the automatic flux feeding system demonstrated the stabilization of magnetite content in the slag in the narrow range from 18 to 20% and the decrease of flux consumption, corresponding to annual savings US$ 340,000. Additionally, the automatic system helps operators in the control room in fast determination of optimal fluxing and avoid the errors in flux dosage affecting the slag quality and its impact on refractory wear.

Jan 1, 2007

By Paul Toor

The operation of SAG mills is variable over time due to their continually changing liner shape, mass and subsequent load motion. However, this tends to be poorly accommodated in liner design and mill control, with only limited compensation made for this influence, usually in the first few weeks after a new liner is installed. With ever-increasing ore competency, increasing energy costs and decreasing ore grades, simplified design and operational approaches that compromise the achievable mill efficiency are no longer adequate. This paper presents a methodology that has been developed to measure and account for the changes in mill performance as the liner wears. This involves monitoring all liner profiles ? in other words the three-dimensional liner shape - over the life of the liner, then conducting controlled surveys at different stages of the liner wear life, and correlating the mill performance to the liner profiles. The measured liner mass is modelled to provide an ongoing meaningful load mass measure that excludes the liner mass.

Jan 1, 2012

By A. Khodadadi, M. Abdolahi, P. Taimory

Cyanide is used by the mining and chemical industries in tremendous quantities without attention being given to its hazardous properties. The use of cyanide compounds in mining is one of the most important environmental issues for the mining industry due to the acutely toxic properties of many cyanide compounds to humans and aquatic life. Cyanide tends to react readily with most other chemical elements, producing a wide variety of toxic, cyanide-related compounds and because cyanide is carbon based an organic compound it reacts readily with other carbon-based matter, including living organisms. This research is aimed at investigating a feasible and economical technique for the removal of cyanide from tailing wastewater of Muteh gold mine. In this research, removal from Muteh factory&apos;s waste water, was achieved at Tarbiat Modares University&apos;s mineral processing laboratory through the oxidation of cyanide by calcium hypochlorite. Cyanide oxidizes and changes to cyanide (CNO-) which is 1000 times less environmentally hazards than cyanide. Cyanide titration was accomplished using Rhodanine solution and silver Nitrate. Cyanide concentration in the wastewater, was 270 mg/L. Cyanide removal was achieved at an optimum pH of 12.3. However, at higher temperatures, cyanide removal was complete at this pH level. Optimum Dosage for complete removal of cyanide using calcium hypochlorite was 1.43g/L.

Jan 1, 2005

By Philippe Ribagnac, Bruno Courtaud, Jean-Marie Lambert, Valérie Weigel

Mabounié is a polymetallic deposit in Gabon containing niobium (1.2 wt.%), tantalum (0.03 wt.%), rare earth elements (REE) (1.4 wt.%) and uranium (0.03 wt.%) that are mostly carried by pyrochlore minerals. The classical route for niobium recovery is a pyrometallurgical process that consists of pyrochlore flotation, dephosphorization of the niobium concentrate and aluminothermy to obtain ferro-niobium. Pyrochlore concentrates can also be treated by a hydrometallurgical process with a mixture of sulfuric and hydrofluoric acid leaching followed by solvent extraction to separate niobium and tantalum. However, the first process does not allow recovering REE and the second one is not environmentally friendly because of the use of HF. ERAMET is looking for new opportunities on strategic metals market and has recently developed a hydrometallurgical process for the recovery of all these metals based on a sulfuric acid treatment of the ore (Donati, Courtaud, & Weigel, 2014). As for most of the oxidized ore processes, the major impurity is iron (~30 wt.%). Thus, in this hydrometallurgical process, the question arises of the elimination and stabilization of the iron as residue. The iron in solution is ferrous; goethite precipitation seems the most adapted crystalline form. Lab and pilot tests have shown kinetics of precipitation of 6 g.L-1.h-1 at pH 4.5. To reduce the salt discharge, sodium-jarosite form is more adapted, but at pH 2, 95°C only 30% of iron is precipitated in 5 hours, compared to 100% in goethite form at the same time and pH 2, 80°C. Different ways of oxidation were tested, air, pure O2, activated carbon, without drastic effect. The more efficient was ozone use, at room temperature; the kinetics of oxidation is five time faster than the other ways with 30% of sodium removed from the solution.

Jan 1, 2016

By B. Galy, L. Giraud

"This paper compares Canadian provincial mining safety regulations addressing hoist safety, automatic hoisting, and shaft obstruction. The regulations are quite similar among provinces, with only slight differences. Risk-mitigation strategies used in other industries are discussed, including their applicability to mine hoists. The specific case of software safety is introduced through examples. The mitigation of software failure is based on the use of the software lifecycle as recommended by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61508 standard. Finally, ways to improve hoist safety are proposed.RÉSUMÉ Le présent article compare entre elles les diverses réglementations provinciales canadiennes concernant la sécurité des machines d'extraction, le levage automatisé et les obstructions dans les puits. Les réglementations sont assez semblables entre les provinces, mais elles comportent de légères différences. Les stratégies d’atténuation des risques utilisées dans d’autres industries sont abordées, incluant la possibilité de les appliquer aux treuils de mines. Le cas spécifique de sûreté des logiciels est abordé par des exemples. L’atténuation de la défaillance des logiciels est basée sur l’utilisation du cycle de vie du logiciel, comme cela est recommandé par la norme 61508 de la Commission électrotechnique internationale (CEI). Des moyens d’améliorer la sécurité des treuils sont également proposés."

Jan 1, 2016

By Louise H. Michaud

Albian Sands Energy is scheduled to begin production at its oilsands operations in the fall of 2002. Start-up includes the selection and implementation of over 75 IT systems or computer applications. These include engineering applications, systems required to control mining activities, maintenance, the processing plant and utilities, and also systems required to run the company, such as human resources, finances and inventory/warehousing. This paper outlines the processes used for the selection, implementation and integration of these systems in order to optimize the use of information and to meet the technical, business and IT requirements of the company. The first step in Albian?s approach to identifying system requirements is the development of a Business Activity Model, outlining all tasks involved in running the operations. The computer applications required to accomplish each task are then identified by having the IT team work closely with each technical and business unit. Historically, at some companies, the selection of systems has been lead by the IT team or by consultants, with little input from the technical or business units. Typically, this results in products that don?t meet the company?s expectations. To ensure a more positive outcome, Albian believes that it is imperative that the company?s technical and business people are closely involved in the selection process. Integration of the IT systems is also key, including linking all applications through a Data Warehouse and EDMS. Over 120 required integrations have been identified. This ensures the storage of all data in only one location, data security, and easy data and document retrieval for all requirements throughout the company.

May 1, 2002

By Selwyn G. Blaylock

There is no more important problem today than industrial relationship, and probably none that is receiving more thought. But in these days of Epie and Utopia, one has to be rather careful in speaking on this subject. Consequently, for fear that my plea for taking the working man into the family might be misconstrued, by some, as a step towards communism or socialism, I would like to say at the outset that I believe that, so long as we have human individualism, human ambitions, human hopes and fears, straight socialism is as far off as the Millennium. The same applies to communism, which only differs from socialism in that the communist realizes that his ideals can only be attained by massacring millions and destroying all that we hold sacred. Each still looks to Russia for inspiration and guidance, totally disregarding the Soviet swing-back to individual contract work and differential wage scales. They seem to be oblivious of the tyranny and repression in the present Russian system, and get very restless when reminded of it. In spite of the fact that the standard of living in civilized countries has improved tremendously and is still improving, we find that, every seven or eight years, production in many lines has outstripped consumption, and we have had panics or depressions of greater or less magnitude, accompanied by extensive unemployment. It is evident to every thinking person that there must be no little inefficiency in the control of industry. For four long years, governments and industrialists have striven to find the key to solve the present problem. Many countries are getting back to a position approaching normal-Canada probably more so than most. None, however, can feel assured that they have actually cured the situation. All kinds of schemes have been developed; tariff barriers have sprung up over-night where none existed before; currencies have been inflated to gain added security in the home markets and to try to gain advantage in export trade; and each country watches the movements of the others with fear and mistrust. I am not prepared to formulate a full solution of our troubles, but I hope to be able to demonstrate the feasibility and wisdom of the type of industrial relationship I advocate, and also that it may be a large, and possibly an essential, step towards the solution of our difficulties.

Jan 1, 1935

By Kyeong Woo Chung, Ho-Sung Yoon, Jyothi Rajesh Kumar, Chul-Joo Kim, Sung-Don Kim

The aim of the present study is to investigate the extraction, separation and recovery of the indivisible metals of dysprosium and neodymium from permanent magnets scrap leach liquor solutions with meaningful recovery. The present experimental development focused on dysprosium separation from neodymium and recovery by suitable mineral acids. Fundamental studies of the effect of time, pH and extractant concentration on the metal separation were conducted followed by proposal of a mechanism for extraction. Process development included generation of McCabe-Thiele diagrams and counter current extraction (CCE) studies. After loaded organic generation from the CCE process, this was followed by scrubbing studies as well final recovery of dysprosium.

Jan 1, 2014

By A. Sacit Saydam

"Induced polarization/resistivity and magnetometer surveys have been carried out over the Casmo molybdenite deposit in mountainous terrain of northern British Columbia. Molybdenite occurs in quartz-bearing fractures with or without pyrite along a zone of hydrothermal alteration and intense fracturing, believed to be a northerly dipping fault zone, within medium-grained equigranular and porphyritic quartz monzonite.The molybdenite-bearing zone is characterized by a significant resistivity low, a metal factor high and a subtle IP low flanked by highs outside the mineralized area. Magnetic trends, indicated by a magnetometer survey, generally parallel the zone and strike direction of the different intrusive phases, and have been helpful in delineating contacts and faults in the area.IntroductionThe Casmo molybdenite deposit is 6 km southwest of the asbestos mining town of Cassiar in northern British Columbia, at an elevation of 1,550 metres. Molybdenite was first discovered during the early 1950s and the first important exploration work was done in 1964. Between 1964 and 1971, about 25,000 feet of drilling was done by various operators, as a result of which 33.7 million tons of molybdenite ore was drill indicated at a grade of 0.123%. In 1979, Shell Canada Resources entered into an option agreement with the former operator, New Jersey Zinc Corporation. Shell completed 27,000 feet of diamond drilling between 1979 and 1980 and ha s reported 75 million tonnes of drill-indicated ore with an average grade of 0.13% MoS2• This paper is a case history of IP I resistivity and magnetometer surveys done over the Casmo deposit during 1979 and 1980."

Jan 1, 1983

By Tracy-Lynn Humby

A recent report commissioned by the South African Chamber of Mines, Mining Vision 2030, identifies the South African mining industry?s negative legacy, its exploitation of people and the environment, as the single biggest hurdle to maximizing the industry?s impact on national development. Industry leaders have identified the need to put the past ?to rest?. With reference to three recent cases involving members of the South African mining industry, this paper points to the continuities between the past and present. It argues that the metaphor of ?multiple crossings? is more generative than the notion of putting the past ?to rest? for purposes of engaging with mining?s negative legacy.

Aug 1, 2013

By J. R. Yates, R. J. Young, G. E. Forward, J. B. Farrell, R. J. Milbourne

"Sustainable development in the mining and metallurgical industrial sectors can be implemented by two distinct groups: the managers and operators of existing facilities, working with industrial processes and systems that have been operating for many years, in some cases, several decades; and those who are engineering and building new facilities or upgrades of existing plants.The focus of this paper is to look at approaches and tools available to bring sustainable development thinking and action to these two distinct areas. The paper will discuss the concept of working with existing facilities and processes to minimize waste and maximize product from a regional raw material/resource consumption perspective using by-product synergy. The BPS concept has been carried out in Texas (e.g., TXI-Chaparral’s STAR), in Calgary, Alberta, with Suncor assistance, in Montreal, Quebec, with Noranda as project leader, and currently in Ontario with Dofasco as industry champion. Successful outcomes are presented. The paper will also discuss a new approach to designing greenfield facilities or upgrades to existing plants using a sustainable development review process. Undertaking the review early in every project can institutionalize the concept of discussing and implementing waste elimination, design for environment, ecoefficiency, risk minimization and community awareness and involvement in the future capital stock. The review process has been developed as an excellent tool for measuring and reporting on a corporation’s sustainable development progress. Examples of how this approach has been adopted in the mining and metallurgical industry, and the resultant outcomes are given."

Jan 1, 2003

By Michael K. O’Leary, William D. Coplin

"Risks from political instability and government policies restricting equity ownership, local operations and transfers of payments affect the profitability of foreign mining ventures. More than seat-of-the-pants judgments and old-boy networks are required to anticipate these risks and to take actions appropriate to offsetting them. A system for making political forecasts, called the Prince System, and a series of charts relaying risk s to a production of key minerals will be presented.IntroductionFirm s with extractive operations outside their home country do not have to be told that political stability and government decisions play a big role in the success o f their operations. The takeover of copper firm s in Chile during the Allende administration in 1971 and the recent decision by Venezuela to reduce Reynolds Metals equity share in a smelting operation from 50% to 28% are two examples of hundreds of events that have determined the profitability of extractive operations over the past decade. Both risks and opportunities for international firms seeking to produce and market raw materials are heavily affected by political conditions. While news of political events travel much faster than in the past and host governments are more clever in shaping the risks as well as the opportunities, politics has always been part of the mining business.What has changed is the need to be more systematic in approaching the assessment of political conditions and how it affects business. The increasing costs of extractive operations, the need for long-range planning, the importance of financial arrangements and the world-wide scope of man y firm s&apos; activities require that the assessment be updated continuously and be comparable across different countries and different types of investments. Political risk analysis, the assessment o f macro-political changes and specific governmental decision s on the operations of extractive industries needs to become as systematic and integrated into corporate decision -making as economic analysis has become over the past two decade s."

Jan 1, 1983

In the present work, the effect of pH, non-ionic polyacrylamide flocculant and anionic polyphosphate on rheology and settling behaviour of colloidal TiO2 suspensions (15 ? 50 wt% solid) is investigated. Maximum particle aggregation, reflecting in the highest suspension settling rate and maximum shear yield stress was achieved at pH 7.2, the isoelectric point (iep), consistent with DLVO expectation. However, the maximum aggregation condition at the iep also resulted in the poorest suspension consolidation behaviour. Significantly enhanced consolidation was achieved for a more dispersed suspension at pH values away from the iep but at reduced settling rate. Thus, when pH alone is used to control conditions which facilitate strong interparticle attraction, a high settling behaviour which is not conducive to compact consolidation results. Improved suspension consolidation may be achieved at the iep via anionic polyphosphate addition which leads to attenuation of the strongly attractive van der Waals forces and emergence of "soft" repulsion due to weak inter-particle electro-steric forces. The weak repulsion act to lubricate particles involved in the hydrodynamic interactions which controls the compressibility of the sediment bed, allowing a compact consolidation of solids to be obtained. Alternatively, non-ionic polyacrylamide homo-polymer (Magnafloc 333) was fairly effective in flocculating titanium dioxide suspensions leading to high settling rate and acceptable pulp consolidation at the iep.

Jan 1, 2006