JKTech, the technology transfer company for the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre, recently conducted a workshop hosted by Kunming Research Institute of Mining and Metallurgy in Yunnan Province, China. The course presented the optimisation methodology for mineral processing circuits as developed over decades and implemented by JKTech in its industry projects. The company’s Principle Consultant, Dr. Mingwei Gao, instigated and organised the event whilst also providing technical explanations of the English presentations.

Presenters included JKTech’s Processing Group Manger, Chris Bailey and Products Manager, Dr. Rolf Fandrich. Over one hundred minerals professionals attended from all over China, including major mining companies, national research institutes, top universities, engineering design institutes and equipment suppliers.

Topics addressed at the workshop were:
• Australian mineral processing technologies
• Optimising grinding circuits
• Surveying
• Mass balancing
• Comminution modelling (crusher and SAG, ball and rod mills)
• Flotation modelling
• Ore breakage and flotation characterisation
• Optimisation and design case studies
• Technical management of mineral processing plants.

JKTech’s acting CEO, Dr. Dan Alexander said, “JKTech recognises the global significance of the Chinese mining industry and particularly the large numbers of highly trained minerals professionals operating within it. The prospect of introducing the JK philosophy of process optimisation to such a receptive audience was, and remains, very exciting.”

The President of Kunming Research Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Prof Li commented after the workshop: “We found the workshop to be a great success and we were especially pleased with the positive response and attendance from the Chinese minerals industry. I hope this will be the start of further productive interactions between China and JKTech.”