Mining and MineralsMineral Processing and Metallurgical Plant Operations
A processing plant decides how much of the metal in the ore actually reaches a saleable product, and a point of recovery is usually worth more than any cost saving available elsewhere on site. This course covers running one. Delegates work through comminution from crushing through milling and the energy it consumes, classification and screening, and the separation processes including gravity, flotation, leaching and magnetic separation. Dewatering, thickening and tailings handling complete the flowsheet. Metallurgical accounting and mass balancing are taught properly, since recovery cannot be improved if it cannot be measured, and the course closes on plant optimisation and troubleshooting a drop in recovery.
Course objectives
- Describe a processing flowsheet from run of mine ore to final product
- Assess comminution performance and the energy it consumes
- Explain classification, screening and their effect on downstream recovery
- Compare gravity, flotation, leaching and magnetic separation
- Operate dewatering, thickening and tailings handling
- Construct a mass balance and carry out metallurgical accounting
- Troubleshoot a drop in recovery systematically
Who should attend
- Metallurgists and process engineers
- Plant operators and shift supervisors
- Mining engineers working with processing teams
- Laboratory staff supporting metallurgical accounting
- Graduate engineers entering a plant role
Course outline
- 01The flowsheet from run of mine ore to product
- 02Crushing, milling and comminution energy
- 03Classification and screening
- 04Gravity separation
- 05Flotation
- 06Leaching and hydrometallurgy
- 07Dewatering, thickening and tailings handling
- 08Mass balancing and metallurgical accounting
- 09Optimisation and troubleshooting lost recovery
Scheduled sessions
| Dates | Venue | Format | Price | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 to 9 October 2026 | Maseru, Lesotho | Classroom | R19,950 per delegate | Register Now |
| 9 to 13 November 2026 | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Classroom | USD 1,325 per delegate | Register Now |
| 28 December 2026 to 1 January 2027 | Durban, South Africa | Classroom | R19,950 per delegate | Register Now |
| 4 to 8 January 2027 | Online | Online | R8,500 per delegate | Register Now |
| 22 to 26 February 2027 | Pretoria, South Africa | Classroom | R19,950 per delegate | Register Now |