The Svedala (ECC International) detritor and the metals industry

Improved concentrator economics can be achieved by the recovery of the valuable locked minerals discarded in the tailings streams due to their fine grain size. This can be achieved if improved comminution systems are used which are designed to liberate the valuable minerals at the fine grain sizes. The present improved performances of beneficiation processes using the fine and ultra-fine feed sizes has enabled this option to be considered. However, most comminution systems being operated are not effective or economic in grinding to below 45 microns. A move to a more suitable technology is required; the technology of the Stirred Media (SM) Mills. One example of a SM Mill is the ECC International Wet SM Mill. This SM Mill has been used successfully in the kaolin and calcium carbonate industries for over 25 years. The Mill has shown economic benefits with non-ferrous metals feeds. The need for a large and expensive development programme to result in a new, but industrially unproved, grinding Mill, can be eliminated, the transfer of a technology from one industrial sector to another.