Tag Archives: Lithium

Innovating lithium ore sorting: HPY Technology teams up with Zhicun Lithium

Energy minerals, Environmental, Mine operation news, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Mining services, Mining software, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , ,

HPY Technology says it has provided a customised ore sorting solution to Zhicun Lithium, assisting the company in achieving efficient and environmentally friendly pre-concentration of its spodumene-based orebody, saving energy and reducing carbon emissions during the mineral processing process.

Located in Yichun City, Jiangxi Province, Zhicun Lithium has large-scale production capabilities when it comes to battery-grade lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide and rubidium cesium salts from lithium resources. According to 2021 data from the Asia Metal Website, Zhicun Lithium topped the national production in terms of battery-grade lithium carbonate. It has a projected output of 200,000 t/y in 2023.

HPY Technology, meanwhile, holds an 80% domestic market share in China and services over 100 mining customers worldwide, the company says. It specialises in developing and manufacturing sensor-based ore sorting machines.

In late 2022, as part of its expansion project, Zhicun Lithium enlisted HPY Technology to develop an efficient lithium ore sorting solution. The team tested ore samples provided by Zhicun, which were determined to be granite pegmatite spodumene. Using these insights and considering the ore properties and on-site production volume, the Insight Series ore sorting machine was deployed for pre-concentration and waste removal testing.

The use of sensor-based sorting technology, HPY Technology says, provides a way to accurately distinguish ore from waste rock by measuring properties such as colour, texture and density. This technological application not only enhances mining efficiency but also significantly reduces the environmental impact of mining activities by reducing waste and the inflow of tailings into the tailings pond, according to the company.

The Insight Series, equipped with VIS HD dual-sided imaging, X-ray imaging, laser imaging and more, allows detection methods to be combined freely depending on various mine characteristics, costs and benefits. HPY Technology claims it offers the best detection combination solution based on the customer’s mine mineralisation properties.

The machines also leverage a multi-dimensional AI algorithm for fast image acquisition and high-resolution imagery, alongside time delay integration technology to avoid image distortion, offering a solid resistance to imaging interference.

The technology underwent a rigorous testing phase, first at the HPY testing centre, then at the mine site. The HPY engineering team provided swift and effective support throughout this phase, helping to achieve remarkable results that meet Zhicun Lithium’s technical specifications, it said.

With HPY Technology’s ore sorting machine, the results demonstrated a significant increase in ore grade, reaching over 2.5% Li2O, and an enrichment ratio exceeding two times.

Zhicun Lithium Group Co., Ltd. ore sorting results
Particle size: +10-60 mm
Processing capacity: 40-60 t/h
Raw ore grade: 1.27% Li2O
Waste rock grade: 0.6% Li2O
Concentrated ore grade: 2.63% Li2O
Rejection rate: 67%
Recovery rate: 68.35%
Enrichment ratio: 2.07

In 2023, HPY Technology plans to extend the use of the Insight Series to two more mining projects: one in a molybdenum mine in Luoyang, China, and the other in a gold mine in Tajikistan.

The company concluded: “This indicates a promising future for HPY Technology’s sensor-based ore sorting solutions, contributing to increased mining efficiency and sustainability.”

DB Schenker joins engineering team for Albemarle’s Kemerton lithium expansion project

Energy minerals, Mineral project development, Mining services, , , , , ,

DB Schenker says it has been awarded the contract to provide comprehensive project construction freight forwarding and logistics services to Albemarle’s Kemerton lithium expansion project (KEP) in Western Australia, supporting engineering contractor will be Hatch Australia.

The KEP is DB Schenker’s first foray into the rapidly growing battery metals mining industry, with the plant approximately 150 km south of Perth, Western Australia, near the the Port of Bunbury and close to one of the world’s largest hard-rock lithium deposits, the Greenbushes mine.

The work will be supported by the DB Schenker Project Control Tower office, in Perth, in conjunction with the company’s global network of project offices specialised and accustomed to the unique logistics service requirements of the industry, it says.

“We have a proven track record of working safely and efficiently, even on the most remote sites and mega projects in the world,” Frank Vogel, VP Global Projects & Industry Solutions APAC, said.

The Kemerton plant initially consisted of three production trains, each producing 20,000 t/y of lithium hydroxide, with a potential expansion to five trains that will see production increase to 100,000 t/y by around 2025. The plant will be supplied with lithium concentrate produced at the nearby Greenbushes mine.

Gradiant’s process water solutions to be used at SLB, Rio Tinto operations

Energy minerals, Environmental, Mineral processing, Mining services, Precious metals, Water management, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Gradiant, a global solutions provider and developer for advanced water and wastewater treatment, has announced partnerships with SLB (formerly Schlumberger), Rio Tinto and an Australia-based global mining company to, it says, improve productivity and sustainability in the mining industry with a focus on reducing carbon and water footprints.

The projects are in the US and Western Australia for resource recovery of critical minerals and industrial process water.

Gradiant’s collaborations with SLB and the Australia-based global mining company target the recovery of valuable metals such as lithium, nickel and cobalt. The mining of these materials is highly complex and water intensive. Moreover, with increased market demand and environmental regulations, businesses must identify cost-effective and sustainable technologies. Gradiant’s technologies enable sustainable, efficient and economical water governance through end-to-end customised solutions, it says.

Gradiant’s work with SLB integrates Gradiant’s technologies to concentrate lithium solution with SLB’s direct lithium extraction (DLE) and production technology process – allowing reduced time-to-market and environmental footprint for lithium extraction. The solution enhances the impact of the sustainable lithium extraction process by enabling high levels of lithium concentration in a fraction of the time required by conventional methods while reducing carbon emissions, energy consumption and capital costs compared with thermal-based methods, the company says.

Back in October, Gradiant and Schlumberger entered into a partnership to introduce a key sustainable technology into the production process for battery-grade lithium compounds.

For Rio Tinto, Gradiant will deliver a new facility in Western Australia to replace ageing facilities by employing the company’s proprietary RO Infinity membrane technologies and SmartOps Digital AI into existing mining operations. Gradiant has introduced two chemical-free technologies into operations to minimise chemical consumption and waste discharge, it said.

Lastly, Gradiant’s RO Infinity and SmartOps technologies will concentrate complex wastewater from nickel and cobalt production at a new facility in Western Australia for a global mining company, resulting in up to 75% cost savings with lower carbon and water footprints compared with conventional technologies, it says.

Prakash Govindan, COO of Gradiant, said: “Mining is a uniquely complex industrial sector with challenges of remote locations, large volumes of waste, wide fluctuations in water quality and the high-value end-product that demands relentless design and operations efficiencies. The real opportunity for water technology in the mining industry is resource recovery in wastewater coupled with machine learning AI. We are excited to work with the world’s leading mining operators to enter a new era of sustainable resource recovery. This is made possible by Gradiant’s deep understanding of the complex chemistry that underlies the production processes, which is then operationalised by machine learning digital technology.”

ASTERRA’s Earth observation solution pinpoints new lithium exploration targets for ACME Lithium

Energy minerals, Mineral exploration, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , , , ,

ASTERRA has announced that its Earth observation solution was used in collaboration with ACME Lithium Inc to locate 14 new points of interest for lithium in Fish Lake Valley, Nevada, USA.

In past uses of ASTERRA’s solution to locate lithium, it was reported that locating of the mineral was confirmed upon sampling with up to 1,418 parts per million (ppm) lithium values. This was the highest found to date on the property, according to ASTERRA. The data was based on a recent geological field review and sampling program that also confirms historical and new lithium occurrences.

“Exploration for lithium at our Fish Lake Valley project shows great potential, and as a result of the use of ASTERRA’s leading technology solutions, we can confirm that ACME has confirmed drill targets at Fish Lake Valley,” Steve Hanson, President and CEO of ACME, said. “We are moving forward to advance this program this year to discover this critically needed resource in an efficient and cost effective way.”

Elly Perets, CEO of ASTERRA, said: “ASTERRA is pleased with the continued positive results in locating lithium using our technology. This method has the potential to save the industry millions of dollars per year in exploration costs, as well as reducing significantly the footprint of exploration and impact on the environment.”

Since January of 2023, ACME and ASTERRA have collaborated under a teaming agreement to use ASTERRA’s Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) solution to locate minerals beneath the surface of the Earth. By combining data analytics, patented algorithms, and AI, ASTERRA identifies lithium-specific targets without destruction of the environment, it says. The pilot project resulted in ACME’s highest lithium values to date and produced approximately double the likely locations of lithium above 100 ppm over traditional methods of geochemistry exploration, enabling ACME to find targeted locations of lithium while reducing exploration time and costs, it said.

MetsoOutotec-testing

Metso Outotec on the need for holistic testing

Automation, Base metals, Comminution of minerals, Energy minerals, Environmental, Metallurgy, Mineral exploration, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Mining services, Precious metals, Sustainable mining, Water management, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Metso Outotec global network of testing, research and product development facilities covers the whole process flowsheet from comminution through separation, to filtration, refining and pyrometallurgical/hydrometallurgical processing.

It has centres all over the globe – in Australia, Brazil, Chile, Germany, Finland, Peru, USA and more – able to, the company says, offer extensive expertise and circuit simulation to a wide range of industries.

Metso Outotec’s research and testing services include evaluation of ore types, mineralogical characterisation, feed material testing, sampling, materials selection, analytical chemistry and flowsheet development.

To get a flavour of this extensive research and testing portfolio, IM spoke to Alan Boylston, Director, Process Engineering at Metso Outotec, and Rodrigo Grau, Technology Director – Minerals Processing at Metso Outotec, about the capabilities of two of the company’s facilities – York (USA) and Pori (Finland), respectively, while also touching on Metso Outotec’s global testing and research capabilities.

In 2022, the company announced a consolidation of its minerals testing services in USA into a single 5,500 sq.m facility in York able to eventually cover the full minerals value chain and support the mining industry worldwide. Pori, meanwhile, focuses on mineral technology, hydrometallurgical processes development, pyrometallurgy and ferroalloys technology and material technology. In other words, the company conducts laboratory and pilot test work, flowsheet development as well as validation and development of new technologies for the industry.

IM: Will the York facility now be seen as your ‘testing centre of excellence’?

AB: The York facility is a centre of excellence for testing, but we have many of these within the company. Our global presence, the knowledge and our expertise at each of these locations is one of the factors that sets us apart.

Each of our locations is a centre for excellence in its own field. Pori, for example, has extensive research capabilities, Sorocaba in Brazil focuses on comminution and beneficiation testing, while Lappeenranta Dewatering Technology Center concentrates on thickening and filtration. Each location is an integral part of our global testing offering. In addition to these, we have various facilities around the globe covering also aggregates and pyrometallurgical testing, research and development.

That being said, the effort we have made to expand the York Test Center gives us a much better advantage for research and testing in North America, compared to a few years ago. We can now do more pilot-scale testing, especially with equipment like our HRC™800e high pressure grinding roll (HPGR). We can also carry out pyrometallurgical testing, plus conduct magnetic separation tests. At some point in 2023, we also expect to add thickening and filtration testing to this remit. But this is a very high-level view of what we have to offer in the York location.

Metso Outotec has a global network of testing, research and product development locations

IM: Even with this consolidation in USA, are you expecting to collaborate with other global facilities when it comes to testing processes throughout the flowsheet?

AB: Yes, absolutely. For example, we have a project coming in right now where the sample was first in Tampere (Finland) for some crushing test work, before they split off a sample for us for grinding test work in York and then Pori is also receiving a sample for some broader mineralogy testing.

This speaks to why we are able to claim to have global capabilities. No matter the testing or research need, we are able to assist our customers to get the job done. This all goes towards one goal – the customer’s benefit.

IM: How do you see these testing capabilities interacting and benefitting from other modelling work you carry out in-house? For example, do you anticipate using these facilities and the likes of the Geminex digital twin in unison to offer clients physical and digital representations of flowsheet options?

RG: Modelling is very important for us. In each project we work on, modelling and simulation are at the heart. Here in Pori, we carry out flowsheet development and technology validation. One of the outputs of our work is to end with a simulation of an industrial plant. Going from that simulation into Geminex is just one more step we will be taking in the future.

AB: At the York lab, we are now moving to a SCADA-based system to run everything: when a sample comes in, it gets tagged and identified and we then automatically know what test to run. We have tablets to, for instance, setup all the parameters of a test for an HRC 800e. We can start and stop the test on that tablet and see the real-time information coming in as the test is being carried out. That data is also being stored for future use.

We’re undergoing a program right now to build out a database function where all the post processing of this data goes on in the background and can then be seamlessly integrated into things like our HRC simulation software. We are building the backbone to carry out that real-time digital twinning.

IM: Do you anticipate your global testing capabilities to lead to a higher uptake of Planet Positive solutions?

AB: With our customers having a huge focus on sustainability, I do. As an example, since we have had the pilot-scale HRC 800e available for testing, it has been fully booked. In 2023, we are preparing for a test plan where we could take the HRC product and go directly into a pilot Vertimill. Those are two Planet Positive approaches we are putting together in a single test plant to show how far we can push energy efficiency and media consumption reduction.

RG: I would definitely agree with Alan. And to add to that – for example at Pori, we do a lot of hydrometallurgical testing and piloting, and that is only increasing with the rising demand for lithium and other battery minerals. And our customers are really looking at how our equipment is reducing their carbon footprint and other sustainability benefits.

You will hear us say it time and time again, but this is definitely a trend that we are seeing at all of our facilities.

Metso Outotec testing and research capabilities cover the entire flowsheet – from comminution through the entire operation to pyrometallurgical/hydrometallurgical processing

IM: Will these expanded testing facilities also benefit your equipment and process R&D work?

AB: I think so. We built this lab to not just be a materials testing facility, but also a research hub, especially for grinding, but also for any other Metso Outotec business area needs. There is definitely a huge opportunity out there for us!

RG: And this rings true around the globe at all our facilities. For example, in separation, we have been testing the Concorde Cell™ flotation technology in Pori for a long time. And that is how we’ve approached development of a lot of our other innovations that go to market.

IM: How would you say industry testing requirements have changed over, say, the last five years?

AB: From our perspective, I am seeing more comprehensive test programs come through.

Instead of, say, one certain test, it is an entire test program with specific timings around evaluations and the ability to develop the flowsheet through the testing required. There is more collaborative designing of the flowsheet taking place through testing than there was five or 10 years ago.

RG: It is certainly more comprehensive now than it previously was.

For example, we carry out early engagement with our customers in Pori and start developing a flowsheet and evaluating the ore types.

The amount of material that is tested nowadays is much bigger than it was before. Obviously, it is not just limited to this example, because, as Alan mentioned before, we’ve got this connection between all our facilities to ensure our customers get exactly what they need from their testing program.

Also, our customers think about different drivers in the process very carefully and want that reflected in the test work. That could be more evaluation on the water they consume. They also look at the energy expended, on top of the expected recoveries and metal grades.

There is more emphasis on sustainability, even at these early stages, in addition to looking at how the ore types may change over time and what impact this will have on the processing requirements.

This is where our extensive simulation and modelling capabilities are leveraged for the biggest impact.

IM: Anything else to add?

RG: Pori and York are but a fraction of the expertise of the wider Metso Outotec research and testing portfolio; one that continues to expand in line with customer requirements. We don’t just cover mining, either – like our equipment offering, we provide research and testing services for the whole flowsheet.

And we are continually improving our capabilities in this space for our customers. So, stay tuned for the future and where we can take research and testing!

European Metals Holdings enlists help of DRA Global for Cinovec lithium DFS

Energy minerals, Mineral project development, Mining services, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , ,

European Metals Holdings has appointed DRA Global to complete the definitive feasibility study (DFS) for the Cinovec lithium project in the Czech Republic.

DRA, European Metals says, has the necessary capacity, expertise and track record to deliver the Cinovec DFS in a timely and efficient manner and will be working to build on all the optimisation work the Cinovec team completed over the course of 2022 with a view to completion of the study in the December quarter of 2023.

DRA’s appointment for this piece of project development work is testament to both the company’s and its joint-venture partner CEZ s.a.’s commitment to, and the tremendous prospectivity and value of, the Cinovec project, EMH said. The Cinovec project’s in-house team will work closely with DRA to develop and finalise the DFS.

Executive Chairman, Keith Coughlan, said: “We are pleased to have secured a company of DRA’s calibre, with a proven track record of delivering critical pieces of work like the Cinovec DFS in a timely and efficient manner.

“We will be working closely with DRA over the coming period, and we are excited by the positive outcomes that this DFS will provide. It is not expected that this will delay the critical path of the project, as during this time the company will be in the process of finalising permitting, offtake and project finance matters.

“European Metals is well positioned for the rising demand in battery materials, developing the Cinovec project, the largest hard-rock lithium project in the European Union, which is centrally located on the Czech Republic’s border with Germany. The project possesses excellent ESG credentials, which will enable the production of battery-grade lithium hydroxide and carbonate with potentially one of the lowest CO2 emissions, globally.”

James Smith, CEO of DRA Global, said: “We are proud to be working with EMH on the DFS for the impressive Cinovec project. Our experience in lithium spans the Australian, African and Americas markets. We are excited to share this knowledge with EMH to deliver the best results for their project.”

Cinovec is owned 49% by EMH and 51% by CEZ. A prefeasibility study on the project in January 2022 outlined annual battery-grade LiOH.H2O production of 29,386 t/y. This was based on extracting ore from an underground mine operating at 2.25 Mt/y with paste backfill.

NRW’s Primero to work on Pilgangoora P680 Expansion Project

Energy minerals, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , , , , ,

NRW Holdings subsidiary, Primero Group, has been awarded a contract by Pilgangoora Operations Pty Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pilbara Minerals Limited, for work at the lithium processing plant that is part of the wider Pilgangoora operation, in Western Australia.

The works to be performed under the contract include upgrading the existing Pilgan lithium processing plant through the construction of a new primary rejection facility and preliminary work in connection with a new crushing and ore sorting facility.

Under the contract, Primero will be responsible for detailed earth and concrete works associated with both the primary rejection and crushing and sorting facilities, together with structural, mechanical, piping, electrical and instrumentation installation associated with the primary rejection facility. Primero will also assist with shutdown, brownfield’s integration and commissioning support to tie the facility into the existing Pilgan plant.

The contract is scheduled to run for approximately eight months, commencing in January 2023, and has an approximate value of A$62 million ($44 million).

NRW Managing Director, Jules Pemberton, said: “This contract builds on a long-term association between POPL and Primero that began with Primero’s involvement in the design and construction of the original Pilgan plant. We look forward to the successful completion of these works.”

The construction activities due to take place on the plant are part of the wider P680 Expansion Project Pilbara Minerals is working on. This could see the company step-up its production run-rate at the operation to a total of circa-680,000 t/y of spodumene concentrate across the combined Pilgangoora operation.

NRW subsidiary wins drill and blast contract at Talison’s Greenbushes lithium mine

Explosives and blasting, Mine operation news, Mining services, , , , , ,

NRW Holdings’ wholly-owned subsidiary, Action Drill & Blast Pty Ltd, has been issued a notice of award by Talison Lithium Australia for drill and blast services at the Greenbushes lithium mine in Western Australia.

This award follows the longstanding relationship Action has with Talison Lithium since Action commenced drill and blast activities on site in 2011.

The seven-year (plus two-year option) contract is valued at circa-A$300 million ($213 million) over the initial period and is scheduled to commence in July 2023.

The scope of works under the contract include ore, waste, pre-split and RC grade control drilling together with loading, stemming and initiation of bulk explosives. Plant requirements for the project will be sourced from within the Action business together with new equipment capital expenditure of circa-A$30 million over the life of the contract, it said.

The contract will require a peak workforce of some 160 personnel, including the 56 currently employed on site.

Action said the majority of the workforce will be sourced from the local community, building on current relationships and training programs.

Together with its predecessor company, Talison Lithium has been producing lithium concentrates at Greenbushes since 1983, which are ultimately used in lithium-ion batteries. The Greenbushes project, directly south and adjacent to the town of Greenbushes in Western Australia, is a major supplier of lithium mineral concentrates.

Macmahon confirms mining gig at Greenbushes lithium project

Energy minerals, Mine operation news, Mining services, , , , ,

Macmahon Holdings says it has now finalised a load and haul services contract with Talison Lithium Australia Pty Ltd for the Greenbushes lithium project in Western Australia.

This follows Macmahon’s selection as the preferred load and haul contractor for the project, announced last year.

This contract involves open-pit mining activities of load and haul, and crusher feed, which will commence on July 1, 2023, for a seven-year period with an option to extend for up to two years. The contract is estimated to generate revenue in excess of A$1.1 billion ($768 million) over its initial seven-year term.

Macmahon CEO and Managing Director, Michael Finnegan, said: “We are delighted to finalise this contract with Talison Lithium for its Greenbushes lithium project. This contract will add approximately A$1.1 billion to our order book, which delivers on our commodity diversification strategy into future-relevant commodities. We have built a strong relationship with the Talison Lithium team and look forward to developing this project with them.”

Talison Lithium is a Western Australia-based mining company which is 51%-owned by a joint venture comprising Tianqi Lithium Corporation and IGO Limited, and 49%-owned by Albemarle Corporation.

Together with its predecessor company, Talison Lithium has been producing lithium concentrates at Greenbushes since 1983, which are ultimately used in lithium batteries. The Greenbushes project, directly south and adjacent to the town of Greenbushes in Western Australia, is a major supplier of lithium mineral concentrates.

Bechtel wins EPCM contract for Lithium Americas’ Thacker Pass project

Energy minerals, Mineral project development, Mining services, , , , , , , ,

Lithium Americas says it has awarded the engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) contract for the construction of the Thacker Pass lithium project, in Nevada, USA, to Bechtel.

Lithium Americas has all federal and state permits needed to commence construction at Thacker Pass, a project with the potential to produce 40,000 t/y of battery-quality lithium carbonate in its first phase. The company says it anticipates a ruling on the Thacker Pass Record of Decision appeal in early 2023 and looks forward to working with Bechtel to begin construction activities shortly thereafter.

Jonathan Evans, President & CEO of Lithium Americas, said: “Awarding the EPCM contract is a significant milestone in advancing Thacker Pass towards production. Bechtel is a globally recognised and respected engineering firm with deep understanding of value-driven project delivery. This key partnership is a big step forward towards enabling North American production of battery-quality lithium carbonate to help secure our nation’s clean energy future.”

Bechtel’s Mining & Metals President, Ailie MacAdam, said: “By partnering with our customers and collaborating with contractors, suppliers and local communities, we’re able to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges and I’m excited to have this opportunity that will enable the project to responsibly unlock the resources needed for the energy transition.”

Lithium Americas and Bechtel share a commitment towards a safer, cleaner, more equitable and prosperous future, by advancing towards increased energy security and advanced decarbonisation targets, the company says. By working closely together, Lithium Americas can leverage Bechtel’s world-class team, a suite of seamless execution systems, global logistics and innovative construction strategies, it says. Bechtel will be fully integrating into the owner’s team and will be responsible for engineering, procurement and execution planning services, along with overall project management.