The CEEC Medal is an annual award for the most outstanding published paper, article or case study profiling beneficial strategies for eco-efficient comminution. “The CEEC Medal is intended to bring attention to ‘best-in-class’ research or documentation in the field of eco-efficient comminution. The area of comminution (crushing and grinding ore) provides significant opportunities for improved profit and energy efficiency gains in the mining industry,” noted CEEC Director, Dr Zeljka Pokrajcic.

Nominations for the 2015 CEEC medal came from around the globe. Papers detailing new comminution devices, potential benchmarking indices, full scale grinding equipment comparisons and optimisation, pre-concentration initiatives, and circuit modelling were proposed. The CEEC Medal Evaluation Committee included, for the first time, an independent industry leader to review the nominated papers, assessing aspects such as originality, applicability, supporting research and documentation, prospective impact, potential energy savings, and presentation style.

The shortlisted nominations were:

• Michelle Y Levesque, Dean L Millar: The link between operational practices and specific energy consumption in metal ore milling plants – Ontario experiences, Minerals Engineering 71 (2015) 146–158.
• Nigel J Grigg, Georges J Delemontex. The Pre‐Concentration of Precious and Base Metal Deposits Using the InLine Pressure Jig (IPJ); Higher Feed Grades and More Metal, International Mineral Processing Conference 2014, Santiago, Chile.
• Grant R Ballantyne, Malcolm S Powell. Benchmarking Comminution Energy Consumption for Improved Efficiency, Mill Operators Conference 2014, Townsville, Australia.
• Dave Rose, David G. Meadows, Mike Westendorf. Increasing SAG mill Capacity at the Copper Mountain Mine through the Addition of a Pre-Crush Circuit, SME Annual Conference 2015, Denver, USA.
• Joseph Lessard, Jan de Bakker, Larry McHugh. Development of ore sorting and its impact on mineral processing economics, Minerals Engineering 65 (2014) 88-97.

Although all these papers ranked highly, Grigg’s and Delemontex’s paper on pre-concentration using the InLine Pressure Jig (IPJ) was selected for the 2015 CEEC medal because of the potential impact of pre-concentration in reducing the energy used in comminution, and the paper’s several quantified examples. The paper detailed the installation of IPJs in gold and polymetallic full-scale applications in the 1-15 mm size range. The paper reports significant upgrade by the removal of low-grade ores, mainly silicates.  The strategy of pre-concentration, either by the removal of gangue material before size reduction, or by separation of material for processing by alternate routes, significantly reduces the energy required for comminution, and decreases operating and capital costs. In addition, it effectively increases the size of the ore deposit.  The CEEC Medal selection panel noted an oft-quoted phrase by industry veteran Dr Rob Morrison “The most energy-efficient way to break a rock is not to break it at all.”

In further news, Gekko says its ability “to become a world leader in mineral processing systems is supported with the appointment of new resources. [The company is looking] to gain worldwide recognition as a leading provider of mineral processing systems and consulting services to the mining industry.” It has announced two new appointments; Renaldo Maras, Group Manager, Global Performance Consulting; and Yavuz Atasoy, Senior Metallurgist/Process Engineer – both pictured.

Maras joins Gekko with more than 20 years’ experience in general management, line, operations and sales management. Previous expertise has been focused in industries including quarrying, concrete, explosives, chemicals, metals and mining. Recent positions include: Consultant for Partners in Performance International, Managing Director of Orica CIS, and CEO of Nova Industries.

Atasoy has extensive experience in metallurgical accounting, operations and management within the mining industry.  His qualifications include a Masters of Science (Mineral Economics) from Curtin University of Technology (Perth)  and he has previously held key positions with several leading companies such as Lycopodium Minerals (as Principal Process Engineer), Amec Minproc (as Process Consultant) and Gold Fields Ltd (as Process Manager during design, construction and commissioning of St. Ives Lefroy processing plant).

Both will play key roles in Gekko’s strategic development of the Performance Consulting Group. Renaldo’s key responsibilities will include leadership, strategic development, and commercial business development of the Global Performance Consulting Group.

Atasoy will contribute to the delivery, development and growth of Gekko’s Performance Consulting offering which will also be enhanced by his excellent consulting skills.

Sandy Gray – Technical Director: “The addition of Renaldo and Yavuz will add further depth to Gekko’s Global Performance Consulting Group.  Renaldo brings significant commercial experience and acumen to help drive the growth of our Global Performance Consulting business while Yavuz offers years of operational experience.  We are extremely excited to have them both on board”