CiDRA Minerals Processing has announced the successful completion of a trial done in two Codelco mine sites. The trial was conducted by Kairos Mining, a joint venture between Codelco (the world’s largest copper miner) and Honeywell, who chose the CiDRA’s SONARtrac® flow monitoring system for a challenging slurry flow application at the Andina and Norte mines. CiDRA SONARtrac systems were chosen by Kairos Mining because of their non-invasive design, which provides exceptionally high reliability, performance, and maintenance-free operation, thus lowering operating costs and total cost of ownership. SONARtrac flow technology is a new class of industrial flowmeter, using measurement principles that are distinct from all other flowmeter technologies operating in the mining industry. These non-intrusive flow monitoring systems do not make contact with the slurry and can be removed and reinstalled when it is necessary to replace the pipe. As well, SONARtrac systems demonstrate a very stable output in the presence of a variety of ores, and demonstrate superior levels of performance. This passive, sonar-based technology enables measurements of single phase and multiphase fluids, as well as slurries, with the same level of accuracy and performance.
It was in January 2007 that Honeywell set up a joint venture with Codelco to provide process automation technology and services to improve the performance of the company’s concentrator plants.”This strategic venture is more than a project, it is a long-term alliance that will help Codelco achieve greater process-efficiency levels through high automation standards,” said Juan Enrique Morales, VP, Codelco, at the time. “These innovative automation technologies will help Codelco optimise asset use, improve operation continuity, standardise automation processes and technologies and implement technology update programs. We wanted to partner with an international technology leader, and Honeywell was the logical choice.”
“Standardising practices across operations is one of the most effective ways to make processes more efficient, and therefore, more profitable,” said Jack Bolick, President of Honeywell Process Solutions. “This program will help Codelco maximise the use of its concentrators, which will increase productivity, reduce costs and improve business sustainability for the long term.”
Codelco workers are trained to use Honeywell technology to reduce process variability in the crushing, grinding, flotation and thickening processes. The program started in 2007 at Codelco’s Andina Division, where initial testing was performed. The initiative will gradually be incorporated into the company’s El Teniente and Codelco Norte divisions over the next years.
Kairos Mining also will provide process automation and control services for Codelco’s other mining and industrial activities, as well as provide technology and software licenses. It also will co-ordinate and provide associated services to support automation system lifecycles. Similar services and solutions will also be available to other mining companies in the future.
Kairos Mining will implement solutions such as Honeywell’s main process automation and control technology, Experion® Process Knowledge System (PKS), which integrates critical subsystems within concentrator plants and gives operators better information about how processes are functioning. Additionally, the joint venture will implement instrumentation, control and information applications and lifecycle support services. The instrumentation, applications and services also will be provided by Honeywell, as well as third-party vendors.