Gonzalo Montoya, Innovation and Technology Superintendent
There is a latent challenge with respect to how to characterize in line the minerals that are really transported by the belt, with the purpose of adjusting certain parameters in time and with that, to be able to maximize the recovery of the plant. Specifically in the case of Minera Los Pelambres, it is important to know and control the pH of the ore, in order to optimize lime consumption and recovery.
The proposal is to implement an equipment that takes samples from feeding lines and performs the sampling (chemical analysis, hyperspectral chambers, etc.) autonomously. It will work in the bin after the primary crusher (belt speed 6.9 m/s) by means of a robotic equipment. This robot takes the samples from the belt and places them in a grinder and/or pulverizer. Water will be added to part of the ground sample and the pH will be measured.
1. Make accurate measurements on PH which implies a decrease in the consumption of lime (8% is expected).
2. Improved recovery in Collective Flotation (lower pH variability
3. Improvement of the quality of the concentrated Cu product.
