The Sullivan concentrator—the last (and best) 30 years

The optimal production of the metals needed by society is best achieved by a close synergy between concentrate production and smelting. For over 75 years commencing in 1923, such a close relationship was enjoyed between the Sullivan Mine in Kimberley, BC and the Trail zinc–lead complex. An effective program of continual change and improvement at the Sullivan concentrator was achieved through a strong entrepreneurial spirit. This spirit was in part maintained through a favourable location in southeastern British Columbia that resulted in a dynamic local community that has survived the closure of the mine. Innovations to be reviewed include feed forward reagent control, the use of column flotation to zinc and lead cleaning and the application of ultrafine grinding coupled with concentrate dewatering using hyperbaric filter technology.