About the International Mineral

Processing Congress (IMPC)

The International Mineral Processing Congress has been in existence now for more
than sixty years. The very first congress was held in September 1952 as a symposium
on Mineral Dressing in London, organized by the then Institution of Mining and
Metallurgy (IMM), which coincided with its 60th years celebrations. The
symposium was held in the Imperial School of Science and Technology, London.
With 39 technical papers and 332 delegates, it was indeed an impressive beginning
of what is known today as IMPC. IMPC has been a major driving force for the
promotion of scientific and technical knowledge in mineral processing and
extractive metallurgy worldwide. It is the most prestigious event in the field of
mineral processing in the world today.
The IMPC council is an elected body and is responsible for matters such as
deciding on the venue and date of International Mineral Processing Congresses,
ensuring that Congresses maintain the high standards generally associated with
such events, establishing Commissions in areas of interest to the global minerals
processing community and making awards to distinguished mineral processors.

The IMPC council 2012-2014 consisted

of the following members:

Cyril OConnor, Chairman IMPC Council &

CongressChair2003,SouthAfrica
Juan Yianatos, Vice-Chair & Chair IMPC 2014 Congress
Jim Finch, Vice-Chair designate & Chair IMPC 2016 Congress
Eric Forssberg, Immediate past Chair of Council
Pradip, Congress Chair 2012, India
Robin Batterham, Congress Chair 2010, Australia
Wang Dianzuo, Congress Chair 2008, China
Guven Onal, Congress Chair 2006, Turkey
Giuseppe Bonifazi, Congress Chair 2000, Italy
Roberto Villas-Bas, Chair IMPC Commission on Sustainability
Diana Drinkwater, Chair IMPC Commission on Education
Rod Elvish, Chair IMPC Commission on Mineral Processing
Brij Moudjil, Elected member 2012-2014
John Herbst, Elected member 2012-2014
Vladimir Vigdergauz, Elected member 2012-2014
Vladko Panayotov, Elected member 2012-2014
Sun Chuanyao, Elected member 2012-2016
Kari Heiskanen, Elected member 2012-2016
Ralph Holmes, Elected member 2012-2016
Jan Cilliers, Elected member 2012-2016

Organizers

The IMPC 2014 Congress was organized by The Department of Mining

Engineering at the Universidad de Chile; The Department of Metallurgical
Engineering at the Universidad de Concepcin, Chile; The Universidad
Tcnica Federico Santa Mara, Chile; The Colegio de Ingenieros de Chile A.
G. and Gecamin, Chile.

Universidad de Chile
Department of Mining Engineering
The Universidad de Chile began educating mining engineers in 1853. Since
the graduation of the first four engineers in 1856, the Department has
trained over 1,300 professionals for one of the most important Chilean
industries. Graduates of the Universidad de Chile have become leaders in
areas such as block caving, heap leaching and the El Teniente converter,
and have brought the University worldwide recognition. The department
conducts research in areas such as mineral resource evaluation,
geostatistics, mine planning, mining technology, rock mechanics, mineral
processing, hydro-electrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy, environment and
mineral economics. The Department is also responsible for three graduate
programs: a Masters in Extractive Metallurgy, a Masters in Mining and a
Doctorate in Mining Engineering.
Learn more about the Mining Engineering Department by visiting www.
minas.cec.uchile.cl

Universidad de Concepcin, Chile

Department of Metallurgical Engineering
The Department of Metallurgical Engineering at the Universidad de
Concepcin, Chile was founded in 1961 and offers undergraduate, masters
and doctoral degrees in Metallurgical Engineering. More than 600 students
have graduated from its programs, among them Chiles first generation of
metallurgical engineers.
The Department was created in response to the lack of national
metallurgical experts in the Chilean mining industry during the era of the
Departments founding. Now, approximately 30 professionals graduate each
year from the metallurgical engineering program.

The Departments main areas of research and expertise are

mineral processing, chemical metallurgy, modeling and environmental issues.
The Metallurgical Engineering Department has close ties with the
mining industry as well as with foreign universities and research centers. It
has continued its program development over the years by closely adhering
to international standards.
Learn more by visiting www.eng.metalurgia.udec.cl

Universidad Tcnica Federico Santa Mara

Department of Chemical Engineering
and Environmental Engineering
The Universidad Tcnica Federico Santa Mara was founded in
Valparaso on April 27, 1926, when the Federico Santa Mara foundation was
established, thanks to his will and testament. The entrepreneur and
businessman from Valparaso wanted to leave his country with a center of
scientific and technological studies to train professionals at the highest
level. On December 20, 1931, the Crafts School and the Engineering College,
Jos Miguel Carrera, were inaugurated with academic activity starting in
1932. In 1935, the Foundation was officially named Universidad Tcnica
Federico Santa Mara.
Since the beginnings of the university the Chemical Engineering career
contributed to the formation of process engineers and in the 1970s the new
Faculty of Chemistry and Metallurgy incorporates the Metallurgical
Engineer career. From those years several generations of chemical engineers
and metallurgical engineers have been graduated with a strong formation in
industrial plant operations including mineral processing plants and plant
training during his final project. Later in 1980s, the Department of Chemical
Engineering and the Department of Materials Sciences, now Metallurgical
Engineering, have developed specific areas in mineral processing both in
terms of students formation and applied research. A large number of process
engineers and Masters specialized in mineral processing have been
graduated. The university also has strong links with the mining industry
through its wide offer of engineering careers such as Electrical, Mechanical,
Electronic and Industrial Engineering.
After 80 years the university is reputed for its prestige and leadership in
engineering, science and technology.
Learn more by visiting www.usm.cl

Colegio de Ingenieros de Chile A. G.

In over half a century since its founding, el Colegio de Ingenieros de Chile
(Chilean Council of Engineers) has congregated professionals from
different engineering disciplines, having the Council of Mining and
Metallurgy as its direct link to the mining industry.
The members of Colegio de Ingenieros de Chile have permanently
represented a key element in the countrys development; participating in the
most diverse areas of the national activity.
The Councils mission is to promote the professional, scientific and
technological development of its members; to provide community service;
and to watch over the development and streamlining of engineering, as well
as the progress, prestige and prerogative of the engineering profession.

Gecamin
Potenciando el desarrollo profesional
para una minera sustentable
Gecamin es una empresa con 16 aos de experiencia en la organizacin de
conferencias y seminarios internacionales, orientados a generar polos de
transferencia y actualizacin de conocimientos en la industria minera.
Ms de 18.000 profesionales han asistido a los seminarios que Gecamin
ha organizado en las principales reas de inters para la industria minera,
tales como Geologa y Minera, Procesamiento de Minerales,
Hidrometalurgia, Sustentabilidad y Medio Ambiente,
Agua y Energa, Mantenimiento y Automatizacin, y Recursos Humanos.
Conozca ms sobre las conferencias Gecamin visitando www.gecamin.com

Congress Organization

Organizing Committee
chair
Juan Yianatos, Professor, Universidad Tcnica
Federico Santa Mara, Chile

Seher Ata, The University of New South Wales,

Australia
S. K. Biswal, Institute of Minerals and Materials
Technology, India
Dee Bradshaw, University of Queensland, Australia

honor ary chair (chile)

Virginia Ciminelli, Universidade Federal de Minas

Diego Hernndez, Executive Director, Antofagasta

Gerais, Brazil

Minerals, Chile

Fernando Concha, Universidad de Concepcin,

honor ary chair (p eru)

Chile

Igor Gonzles, Instituto de Ingenieros de Minas

del Per
im p c 2 01 2 chair
Dr. Pradip, Tata Research Development and Design
Centre, India

Mike Daniel, CMD Consulting Pty Ltd., Australia

Robert Dunne, Independent consultant, Australia
Jean Paul Franzidis, University of Cape Town,
South Africa
Barun Gorain, Barrick, Canada
Stephen Grano, University of Adelaide, Australia

im p c 2 016 chair

Graeme Heyes, CSIRO , Australia

James Finch, Professor, McGill University, Canada

Bert Huls, Goldcorp, USA

e x ecu tiv e dir ec tor

Graeme Jameson, University of Newcastle, Australia

Carlos Barahona, General Manager, Gecamin, Chile

congr ess m an ager
Romke Kuyvenhoven, Gecamin, Chile

Directing Members

Carlos Lara, Servicios Industriales Peoles, Mexico

Mauricio Larran, Codelco, Chile
Janusz Laskowski, University of British
Columbia, Canada
Javier Linares, Minera Antamina, Peru
Alban Lynch, University of Queensland, Australia

Willy Kracht, Professor, Universidad de Chile

Jan Miller, University of Utah, USA

Jaime lvarez, Professor, Universidad de

B. K. Mishra, CSIR , Institute of Minerals and

Concepcin, Chile

Materials Technology, India

Luis Bergh, Professor, Universidad Tcnica Santa

Chris Moran, Sustainable Minerals Institute,

Mara, Chile

Australia

Luis Mondaca, Advisor, Colegio de

D. R. Nagaraj, CY TEC , USA

Ingenieros de Chile

Francis Pitard, Francis Pitard Consulting, USA

congr ess coor dinator s

Jorge Pontt, Universidad Tcnica Federico Santa

Anna Lobkareva, Gecamin, Chile

Paulina Valdez, Gecamin, Chile

Advisory Committee
Peter Amelunxen, Aminpro, Peru
Octavio Araneda, Codelco, Chile

Mara, Chile
Jorge Rubio, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande
do Sul, Brazil
Jaime Seplveda, Moly-Cop, Chile
Andre Carlos Silva, Federal University of Gois,
Brazil
Som Somasundaran, Columbia University, USA
Matti Tarvainen, Outotec, Finland

Roberto Valle, Metso Process Technology &

ne w ap p lic ations in flotation of non-

Innovation, Peru

su lfid e or es

Jannie van Deventer, University of Melbourne,

Marco Vera, Rio Tinto, Australia

Australia

flotation t echnolog y

Richard Williams, University of Birmingham, UK

Roe-Hoan Yoon, Virginia Tech, USA

Editorial Committee
com min u tion
Lus Marcelo Tavares, Universidade Federal do Rio

Willy Kracht, Universidad de Chile

geom e ta llu rg y a nd p rocess miner a log y
Ursula Kelm, Universidad de Concepcin, Chile
gr avit y separ ation
Rob Dunne, Independent Consultant, Australia

de Janeiro, Brazil

h y d rom e tallu rgic al t r e at m en t of or e,

d esign of miner al p rocesses

Juan Patricio Ibaez, Universidad Tcnica Federico

Kari Heiskanen, Aalto University, Finland

tailings and concen t r at e

Santa Mara, Chile

com m u nition mod eling

Marco Vera, Rio Tinto, Australia

Brian Flintoff, Metso Minerals, Canada

m agne tic separ ation

Miguel Becerra, Anglo American, Chile

d e wat ering & wat er m an agemen t
Jacques Wiertz, Universidad de Chile
Fernando Valenzuela, Universidad de Chile
energ y efficienc y in com min u tion
Mike Daniel, CMD Consulting, Australia
flotation chemis t ry
Janusz Laskowski, University of British Columbia,
Canada
flotation f u nda m en tal s
Seher Ata, The University of New South Wales,
Australia
flotation mod eling & op timiz ation
Miguel Maldonado, Universidad de Santiago, Chile

James Finch, McGill University, Canada

miner a l economics a nd h u m a n c a pita l
Diana Drinkwater, JKTech Pty Ltd., Australia
p rocess mod eling , sim u l ation , con t rol
and op timiz ation
Luis Bergh, Universidad Tcnica Santa Mara, Chile
sorting & cl a ssific ation
Aldo Casali, Universidad de Chile
tailings m a n agem en t, en viron m en ta l
a sp ec ts & sus tain a bilit y
Silvia Frana, CETEM, Brazil
u r ban mining
Giuseppe Bonifazzi, University of Rome, Italy

ne w ap p lic ations in flotation of non-

Technical Committee

su lfid e or es

Perla Acua, Consultant, Chile

Jean-Paul Franzidis, University of Cape Town,

South Africa

Jonas Addai-Mensah, University of South Australia

Claudio Aguilar, Universidad Tcnica Federico Santa
Mara, Chile

Mayeli Alvarez, Universidad Tcnica Federico Santa

Mara, Chile

Karina Arburo, Xstrata Technology Chile

Lev Filippov, Nancy University, France

Jos Aury de Aquino, MCE Consultoria e

Frederic Flament, Algosys Inc., Canada

Engenharia Ltda., Brazil

Leonardo Flores, Aminpro, Chile

Samad Banisi, Shahid Bahonar University of

Silvia Frana, Cetem, Brazil

Kerman, Iran

Dante Garcia, Glencore Copper, Peru

Derek Barratt, DJB Consultants Inc., Canada

Eduardo Garrido, NA LCO, Chile

Arturo Barrientos, Universidad de Concepcin,

Cesar Gomez, McGill University, Canada

Chile

Christian Goi, Universidad de Concepcin, Chile

Osvaldo Bascur, Osisoft Inc., USA

Cristin Gonzlez, Xstrata Technology Chile

Miguel Becerra, Anglo American, Chile

Rodrigo Grau, Outotec, Finland

Gabriel Berkovitz, Im2, Chile

Christopher Greet, Magotteaux, Australia

Alain Broussaud, Metso Cisa, France

Sami Grnstrand, Outotec, Finland

Marcos Bueno, Ausenco, Australia

Leonel Gutierrez , Im2, Chile

Teresa Carvalho, Universidade Tcnica de

Levi Guzman, Moly-Cop Adesur S.A. , Peru

Lisboa, Portugal

Kathryn Hadler, Imperial College London, UK

Aldo Casali, Universidad de Chile

Antti Hakkinen, Lapeenranta University of

Aldo Cipriano, Pontificia Universidad

Technology, Finland

Catlica, Chile

Henrik Hansen, Universidad Tcnica Federico

Vctor Ciribeni, Universidad Nacional de

Santa Mara, Chile

San Juan, Argentina

David Hatton, SGS Lakefield, Canada

Luis Cisternas, Universidad de Antofagasta, Chile

Sonia Helle, Universidad de Concepcin, Chile

Antnio Eduardo Clark Peres, Universidade Federal

Len Hennen, Magotteaux Andino S.A., Chile

de Minas Gerais, Brazil

Felipe Henriquez, Minera Los Pelambres, Chile

Percy Condori, Rio Tinto, Australia

Daniel Hodouin, Laval University, Canada

David Deglon, University of Cape Town,

Maria Holuszko, University of British

South Africa

Columbia, Canada

Carol Davis, BHP Billiton, Chile

Pekka Itavuo, Tampere University of

Paul Daz, Ingeniera y Tecnologa Limitada, Chile

Technology, Finland

Rene del Villar, Laval University, Canada

Antti Jaatinen, Metso Automation, Finland

Glenn Dobby, Woodgrove Tech, Canada

Patricio Jaime, FEI Australia

Alex Doll, Alex G. Doll Consulting ltd., Canada

Miguel Jimenez, S.C.M. El Morro, Chile

Diana Drinkwater, JKTech Pty Ltd., Australia

Komar Kawatra, Michigan Technological

Marie-Veronique Durance, Caspeo, France

University, USA

Hernan Elgueta, Arcadis Chile

Muammer Kaya, Osmangazi University, Turkey

Rodolfo Espinosa Gomez, Minseg Pty Ltd.,

Ursula Kelm, Universidad de Concepcin, Chile

Australia

Toni Kojovic, The University of Queensland,

Oscar Fernandez, Moly-Cop Chile

Australia

Leopoldo Gutirrez, Universidad de Concepcin,

Kostas Komnitsas, Technical University of

Chile

Crete, Greece
Greg Lane, Ausenco Ltd., Australia

Kingsley Larbi, Starkey & Associates, Canada

Juan Patricio Ibaez, Universidad Tcnica Federico

Virginia Lawson, Vale, Canada

Santa Mara, Chile

Alejandro Lopez Valdivieso, Universidad Autonoma

Marcos Pincheira Nez, Universidad de

de San Luis Potos, Mexico

Concepcin, Chile

Christian Lucion, Recyclage et Valorisation, Belgium

Yongjun Peng, University of Queensland, Australia

Susan Lynch Watson, Metso Minerals, Australia

Malcolm Powell, JK MRC, Australia

Maria Lcia Magalhes de Oliveira, MCE

Sergio Prado, FLSmidth S.A., Chile

Consultoria e Engenharia Ltda., Brazil

Patricio Rodriguez, Outotec, Chile

Edgardo Marinkovic, Arcadis Chile

Ana Mara Rojo, Gecamin, Chile

Zoran Markovic, University of Belgrade, Serbia

Fernando Romero, Anglo American, Chile

Jacob Masliyah, University of Alberta, Canada

Jorge Rosas, Hatch Ingenieros y Consultores

Robert Maron, Cidra Minerals Processing, USA

Ltda., Chile

Paul Mavros, Aristotle University of

Kim Runge, Metso Minerals, Australia

Thessaloniki, Greece

Stuart Saich, Promet 101 Consulting, Chile

Jorge Menacho, De Re Metallica Ingeniera, Chile

Gerson Sandoval, Aminpro, Chile

Mitra Mirnezami, McGill University, Canad

Orivaldo Savassi, SGS geosol, Brazil

Mohammad Massinaei, University of Birjand, Iran

Daniel Sbrbaro, Universidad de Concepcin, Chile

Ekkhart Matthies, K HD Humboldt Wedag,

Gianni Schena, University of Trieste, Italy

Germany

Sirish Shah, University of Alberta, Canada

Andre McKen, SGS Minerals, Canada

Fengnian Shi, The University of Queensland,

Marcial Medina, Glencore, Peru

Australia

Surya Mehrotra, Indian Institute of

William Skinner, University of South Australia

Technology, India

Roger Smart, University of South Australia

Francisco Melo, Minera Esperanza, Chile

Jaime Solari, SGA, Chile

Ivan Menacho, Minera Antamina, Peru

Francisco Soto, Empirica Consultores, Chile

Sanja Miskovic, University of Utah, USA

Heriban Soto, SGS Lakefield Research, Chile

Gonzalo Montes, Universidad de Chile

Wayne Stange, The University of Queensland,

Juan Enrique Morales, Universidad Adolfo

Australia

Ibaez, Chile

John Starkey, Starkey & Associates Inc., Canada

Gareth Morris, Imperial College London, UK

Sivakumar Subramanian, Indian Institute of

Robert Morrison, JK MRC, Australia

Science, India

Stephen Neethling, Imperial College London, UK

Vytas Svalbonas, Metso Minerals Industries, USA

Jan Nesset, Nessetech Consulting, Canada

Lus Marcelo Tavares, Universidade Federal do Rio

Mark Niederhauser, FLSmidth, USA

de Janeiro, Brazil

Ivan Nishkov, University of Mining and Geology,

J. Temuujin, Institute of Chemistry and Chemical

Bulgaria

Technology, Mongolia

Patricio Nuez, Universidad Tcnica Federico

Matthew Thurley, Lule Technical University,

Santa Mara, Chile

Sweden

Karin Olson Hoal, JKTech, USA

Maurcio Leonardo Torem, Pontifical Catholic

Jorge Ornelas, Unam, Mexico

University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Magin Torres, Minera las Cenizas, Chile

Rodrigo Araya, X T, Canada

Alejandro Uribe Salas, Cinvestav-IPN Unidad

Jos Aurlio da Luz, Universidade Federal de Ouro

Saltillo, Mexico

Preto, Brazil

Waldo Valderrama,UniversidadTcnicaFederico

Maarten Bakker, Delft University of Technology,

SantaMara, Chile

The Netherlands

Marcello Veiga, The University of British

Grant Ballantyne, The University of Queensland,

Columbia, Canada

Australia

Claudia Velasquez, Asmin, Chile

Niko Banic, De Beers, Canada

David Verreli, Csiro, Australia

Claude Bazin, Universit Laval, Canada

Sergio Vianna, Flsmidth S.A., Australia

David Beattie, University of South Australia

lvaro Videla, Pontificia Universidad Catlica

Megan Becker, University of Cape Town,

de Chile

South Africa

Jacques Wiertz, Universidad de Chile

Girolamo Belardi, The National Research

Steve Williams, Geomet Tech, Canada

Council, Italy

Manqiu Xu, Vale, Canada

Wolfram Bernhart, Metso, Austria

Massimiliano Zanin, University of South Australia,

Dhavala Bhargav, Tata Steel, India

Australia

Jocelyn Bouchard, Laval University, Canada

Ghislain Bournival, University of New South

Paper reviewers
Papers were reviewed primarily by the members of
the Technical Committee with support from the
Advisory and Organizing Committee. Moreover,
many authors and colleagues, in addition to those
listed below, supported the organization in the
paper review process.
Claudio Acua, Universidad Catlica del
Norte, Chile
Andrew Akin, Project Engineer, Dufrane Nuclear
Shielding, USA
Boris Albijanic, Curtin University, Australia
Chris Aldrich, Curtin University, Australia
Byambasuren Altantuya, Mongolian University of
Science and Technology, Mongolia
Igor Ametov, University of South Australia,
Australia
Bradley Angove, A LS, Canada
Celedonio Aranda, Compaa Minera
Antamina S.A., Peru

Wales, Australia
Paulo Braga, CETEM , Brazil
Michel Brissette, Starkey & Associates, Canada
Paul Brown, Rio Tinto, Australia
Warren Bruckard, CSIRO Process Science
and Engineering, Australia
Debra Burkhardt, Fluor, Canada
Mike Buxton, Delft University of Technology,
The Netherlands
Rodrigo Carvalho, Universidade Federal do Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil
Sergio Castro, Universidad de Concepcin, Chile
Sabri Celik, Istanbul Technical University, Turkey
Rajiv Chandramohan, Ausenco, Australia
Aparup Chattopadhyay, Process Research
Certech, Canada
Milind Chikhale, Hatch, India
Nick Clarke, Anglo Gold Ashanti, Australia
Rob Coleman, Outotec, Australia
Peter Colvin, Barrick Gold Corporation, Australia
Percy Condory, Rio Tinto, Australia

Kirsten Corin, University of Cape Town,

Roberto Galry, Universidade Federal de Minas

South Africa

Gerais, Brazil

Brendan Costello, Fluor, Canada

Sandra Garca, Universidad Nacional de Colombia

Vince Craig, Australia National University

Vernica Gautie, BioSigma, Chile

Francisco Cubillos, Universidad de Santiago

Andrea Gerson, University of South Australia,

de Chile

Australia

Adrian Dance, SR K Consulting, Canada

Hassan Ghaffari, Tetra Tech, Canada

Kittelty Daniel, Rio Tinto, Australia

Ismail Girgin, Hacettepe University, Turkey

James Davidson, Hatch, Canada

Rod Grant, Australia

Jose Delgadillo, Universidad Autnoma de

Anja Grohme, T U Bergakademie Freiberg The

San Luis Potos, Mexico

University of Resources, Germany

Mike Dennis, FLSmidth, USA

Stoyan Groudev, University of Mining and Geology

Andre Desbiens, Laval University, Canada

St. Ivan Rilski, Bulgary

Francesco Di Maio, Delft University of Technology,

Leopoldo Gutierrez, Universidad de Chile, Chile

The Netherlands

Ralph Hackl, Rio Tinto, Australia

Stamen Dimov, Western University, Canada

Kota Hanumantha Rao, Lule University of

Grant Douglas, CSIRO Land and Water, Australia

Technology, Sweden

Jarek Drelich, Michigan Technological

Hartmut Harbeck, TOMR A Sorting

University, USA

Solutions, Germany

Jan Drzymala, Wrocaw University of

Colin Hardie, BBA, Canada

Technology, Poland

Rodrigo Herrera-Urbina, Instituto Tecnolgico

Carl Duchesne, Laval University, Canada

de Sonora, Mexico

Hakan Dndar, Hacettepe University, Turkey

Marko Hilden, JK MRC, SMI, The University of

Zafir Ekmekci, Hacettepe University, Turkey

Queensland Australia

Hassan El-Shall, University of Florida, USA

Tsuyoshi Hirajima, Kyushu University, Japan

Levent Ergun, Hacettepe Universitesity, Turkey

Peter Holtman, The University of Queensland,

Lucy Esdaile, Australia

Australia

Geoffrey Evans, The University of Newcastle,

Darryl Howard, WorleyParsons, South Africa

Australia

Julie Hunt, University of Tasmania, Australia

Magnus Evertsson, Chalmers University of

Rene Jackman, SGS, Canada

Technology, Germany

Alex Jankovic, Metso, Australia

Marijke Fagan, University of Cape Town,

Sunil Jayasekera, SJ Mets Consulting, Australia

South Africa

Helen Johnston, A LS Minerals Division, Canada

Saeed Farrokhpay, The University of Queensland,

Adam Jorgens, McGill University, Canada

Australia

Henrique Kahn, Escola Politcnica da USP, Brazil

Andrea Festa, Orway Mineral Consultants, Canada

Heather Kaminsky, Joslyn North Mine Project

Chris Fleming, SGS, Canada

- Mining, Canada

Daniel Fornasiero, University of South Australia

Stoyan Karakashev, The Sofia University St. Kliment

Chris Fountain, The University of Queensland,

Ohridski, Bulgary

Australia

Sadan Kelebek, Queens University, Canada

Roger Kelley, Chile

Simon Michaux, The University of Queensland,

Wantae Kim, K IGA M, Korea

Australia

Sam Kingman, University of Nottingham, UK

Jerzy Mielczarski, Nancy-Universit, France

Bern Klein, The University of British Columbia,

Hajime Miki, Kyushu University, Japan

Canada

David Miljak, CSIRO, Australia

Sergey Kondratyev, Russian Academy of

David Minson, MinTecProcess, Canada

Sciences, Russia

Ron Molnar, Independent Consultants in

Shiva Kumar, N MDC, India

Hydrometallurgy, Canada

Arun Kuymar, Indian Institute of Technology

Neil Morrison, Amec, UK

Karagpur, India

Rich Morrow, Moly-Cop, Canada

Munya Kwatara, Gibraltar Mines Limited, Canada

Steve Moult, Hatch, South Africa

Chris Larsen, MinProTec Inc., Canada

Mike Moys, University of the Witwatersrand,

Dewetia Latti, Rio Tinto, Australia

South Africa

Dariusz Lelinski, FLSmidth, USA

Johnna Muinonen, Royal Nickel Corporation,

Kitty Leong, enQuiring Consultants, Canada

Canada

Cleve Lightfoot, BHP Billiton, Chile

Claudio Muoz, Collahuasi, Chile

Tim Lilley, Pall Corporation, UK

Vasile Murariu, Metso, USA

Tony Lipiec, A MEC, Canada

Madali Naimanbayev, Joint Stock Company Center

Qi Liu, University of Alberta, Canada

of Earth Sciences, Metallurgy and Ore

Jos Luis Delgado, Collahuasi, Chile

Benefication, Kazahstan

Ricardo Maerschner Ogawa, Metso, Brazil

Tim Napier-Munn, the University of Queensland,

Aubrey Mainza, University of Cape Town,

Australia

South Africa

Satyanarayana Narra, Brandenburg University of

Rodrigo Maldonado, Anglo American, Chile

Technology Cottbus, Germany

Jens Markowski, Brandenburg University of

Marisa Nascimento, CETEM, Brazil

Technology Cottbus, Germany

Andrew Newell, PA H Australia

Sudarshan Martins, McGill University, Canada

Anh Nguyen, The University of Queensland, Australia

Douglas Mazzinghy, Anlgo American, Brazil

Khoi Nguyen, JK MRC, The University of

Karen McCaffrey, Tastufo Consulting, Australia

Queensland, Australia

Rod McElroy, A MEC Mining and Metals, Canada

Kari Niiranen, LK A B, Sweden

Belinda McFadzean, University of Cape Town,

Glen OMalley, Murdoch University, Australia

South Africa

Manochehr Oliazadeh, Hatch, Canada

Eddie Mclean, Ausenco, Australia

Orhan Ozdemir, Istanbul University, Turkey

John Meech, University of British Columbia,

Samayamutthirian Palaniandy, JK MRC, SMI, The

Canada

University of Queensland, Australia

Herman Mendoza, University of the Philippines

Lisa Park, Process Engineering Options, Australia

Andrew Menzies, Universidad Catlica del

Randolph Pax, R A P Innovation and Development,

Norte, Chile

Australia

Alex Mezei, SGS, Canada

Roberto Perez-Garibay, Cinvestav, Mexico

Daniel Michaud,CoReM,Canada

David Phelps, Ambleside Trading Ltd., Canada

Michael Pietrobon, MinProcesSer Pty Ltd.,

Luis Sobral, CETEM, Brasil

Australia

Susana Stegen, Universidad Catlica del

Xiangjun Qiu, Metso, USA

Norte, Chile

Peter Radiszewski, McGill University, Canada

Rebecka Stomvall, Chalmers University of

Beena Rai, Tata Research Development & Design

Technology, Germany

Centre, India

Stephen Sturk, Hatch, Canada

Venkateswara Rao, N MDC Limited, India

Constantino Suazo, Collahuasi, Chile

Peter Rem, Delft University of Technology,

Pratik Swarup Dash, Tata Steel, India

The Netherlands

Xin Tan, University of Science and Technology,

Marc Revalor, Metso, France

BGR IMM, China

Luisa Reyes Ciriaco, University of the Philippines

Kent Tano, LK A B, Sweden

Graham Reynolds, BHP Billiton, Australia

Matthew Thurely, Lule University of

Christopher Robben, TOMR A Sorting

Technology, Sweden

Solutions, Germany

Jianjun Tian, CITIC SMCC Process

Blaine Ross, B. Ross Design Inc., Canada

Technology, Australia

Victor Ross, Lonmin, South Africa

George Tsatouhas, Interchem, Australia

Neil Rowson, University of Birmingham, UK

Andrian Valchev, Kaolin A D, Bulgaria

Venkat Runkana, Tata Consultancy Services, India

Elbert Valdioviezo, University of Campina

Zygmunt Sadowski, Wrocaw University of

Grande, Brazil

Technology, Poland

Waler Valery, Metso, Australia

Abbas Sam, Shahid Bahonar University of

Steven Valine, Derrick Corporation, USA

Kerman, Iran

Gus Van Weert, University of British

Daniel Saramak, AGH University of Science and

Columbia, Canada

Technology, Poland

Karla Veln, Escuela Politcnica Nacional, Ecuador

Daniel Sbarbaro, Universidad de Concepcin, Chile

Esther Ventura-Medina, The University of

Mark Schmidt, Weir Minerals, Canada

Manchester, UK

Nora Schreithofer, Aalto University School of

Andre Vien, Metso, Canada

Chemical Technology, Finland

Vladimir Vigderguaz, Russian Academy of Sciences,

Andrew Scott, Scott Mine Consulting

Institute of Earths Crust, Russia

Services, Australia

Maarten Vijfeijken, STM Minerals, Switzerland

Brigitte Seaman, Newcrest Mining, Australia

Adrian Villanueva, BASF, Germany

Arkady Senchenko, TOMS Institute, Russia

Eric Wang, CITIC SMCC Process Technology,

Yuri Seredkin, TOMS Institute, Russia

Australia

Silvia Serranti, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy

Liguang Wang, The University of Queensland,

Frank Shi, The University of Queensland, Australia

Australia

Daniel Silva, Los Pelambres, Chile

Kris Waters, McGill University, Canada

Manisha Singh, M. N. Dastur & Company, India

George Widelski, George Widelski & Associates

Nalini Singh, McGill University, Canada

Pty Ltd., Australia

Hikmet Sis, Inonu Universitesi, Turkey

Jenny Wiese, University of Cape Town, Australia

Grant Small, Magotteaux, Australia

Greg Wilkie, Rio Tinto, Australia

Alan Woodley, The University of Queensland,

Australia
Liu Xiaodong, Shandong University of Science
and Technology, China
Zhenghe Xu, University of Alberta, Canada
Mohsen Yahyaei, JK MRC, SMI, The University
of Queensland, Australia
Michael Young, Xstrata Technology, Australia
Jos Yvan Leite, Instituto Federal de
Educao, Brazil
Patrick Zghang, Florida Industrial and Phosphate
Research Institute, USA
Jinhong Zhang, The University of Arizona, USA
Yale Zhang, Vale, Canada
Wang Zhongming, BGR IMM, China
Joe Zhou, Alberta Innovates, Canada
B. K. Parekh, University of Kentucky, USA
G. Prabhulingaiah, Xanthate Technologies, India
H. Rao, Lule University of Technology, Sweden
G. Sedelnikova, Central Research Institute of
Geological Prospecting, Russia
Xiao Feng Zheng, The University of Queensland,
Australia

Foreword

This book contains the abstracts of the XXVII International Mineral

Processing Congress, which took place from October 20-24, 2014 in
Santiago, Chile. This unique international forum focussed on recent
developments in research and investigation in the field of mineral
processing. The IMPC congresses have been a major driving force in the
promotion of scientific and technical knowledge in areas such as
comminution, flotation and other physical separation methods, minerals
sciences and hydrometallurgy. The 2014 edition of the IMPC congress is
the 27th edition.
Over the past few decades, the International Mineral Processing
Congress has become the most prestigious global forum in promoting
scientific and technical knowledge in mineral processing and extractive
metallurgy. The congress was initiated in 1952 in the United Kingdom and
since then has taken place periodically around the world. The 2014 edition
includes more than 500 peer-reviewed papers and brought together over
1,000 professionals and academics from the mining industry, representing
approximately 50 countries.
As has been the case in previous editions, the congress is extremely
valuable for professionals as it allows them to come together and exchange
experiences in operations and management of the minerals processing
sector, and discuss latest technologies that have been found as response to
the challenge posed by the ever diminishing ore grades.
The International Mineral Processing Congress, IMPC 2014 slogan,
Optimizing Water and Energy Usage for Sustainable Mining, describes
the exact status of the mining industry of the year 2014. Mining companies
are nowadays dealing with fresh water scarcity and increasing energy
prices, a situation that reduces the operational margins and puts return on
investment at risk. New mining projects, in addition to the challenge of
reduced fresh water resources and increased energy prices, have to deal
successfully with human capital management, community relations and
external affairs, in order to assure the so-called license to operate.

Exactly for this reason, the IMPC congress the IMPC congress is seen
as a very important platform where all stakeholders involved in the mining
industry, being mining companies, universities and research institutions,
equipment providers and engineering firms, can join forces in order to
work along the road of optimizing water and energy usage, in order to
assure a true sustainable development of the mining sector.
Juan Yianatos
congr ess chair and he ad editor
IMPC 2014~X X VII International
Mineral Processing Congress

Preface

IMPC 2014, held on October 20-24, 2014 in the Sheraton Hotel, Santiago, is
the 27th version of the International Mineral Processing congress and was
organized by the following five institutions: Universidad de Chile,
Universidad de Concepcin, Universidad Tcnica Federico Santa Mara,
Colegio de Ingenieros de Minas de Chile and Gecamin.
The mining industry is nowadays constantly challenged by the need to
reduce energy consumption and to optimize the use of water resources. The
introduction of more energy efficient comminution technologies and the
use of sea water in froth flotation are good examples of how the industry is
responding to these challenges. The IMPC 2014 slogan Optimizing Energy
and Water Consumption for Sustainable Mining reflects the reality of
many, if not all mining companies.
The International Mineral Processing Congress is organized every two
years to provide a global platform where mining professionals, operators,
researchers and suppliers can meet to exchange, interact, analyze and
discuss experiences and recent innovations in the area of mineral processing.
These proceedings contain 511 abstracts written by authors from the 48
countries in total. The abstracts are organized by area of interest and
include Plenary Presentations (9 in total, all in chapter 01) and Keynote
Presentations (17 in total; distributed over the different chapters according
to their specific technical focus). The technical papers are distributed over
19 chapters in total including: Flotation (6 chapters in total); Comminution
and energy efficiency (3 chapters in total); Design of mineral processes;
Sustainability, environmental aspects and tailings management; Water
management and dewatering; Geometallurgy and process mineralogy;
Process modeling, simulation, control and optimization; Classification,
screening and sorting; Gravity separation; Magnetic concentration; Urban
mining; Hydrometallurgy; Mineral economics and human capital.
These proceedings contain all abstracts received as of June 2014.
The full version of the papers can be found on the following website:
www.gecaminpublications.com/impc2014

All papers for this congress were peer-reviewed by experts from around
the world. The paper review process was coordinated and supported by the
chapter editors and the executive editors. We would like to thank all of them
involved in this process for their valuable contribution by dedicating their
time to reviewing, correcting and commenting articles. It is unquestionable
that these congress proceedings, as well as the congress program, are of
great interest to professionals from the mining industry and especially
those from the field of mineral processing.
Romke Kuyvenhoven
congr ess m anager and e x ecu tiv e editor
IMPC 2014~X X VII International
Mineral Processing Congress

Acknowledgements

The Organizing Committee acknowledges with gratitude the efforts of all

the authors for contributing a large variety of high quality, detailed and
innovative papers to the technical program. We also would like to thank the
reviewers, the Universidad de Chile, the Universidad de Concepcin, the
Universidad Tcnica Federico Santa Mara, Colegio de Ingenieros de Chile;
the employees from Gecamin, and all those involved in the creation of these
proceedings for their assistance. The support of the Organizing, Advisory,
Editorial and Technical Committees has been greatly appreciated, as has
been the support of the IMPC 2014 Chair, Co-Chairs and the Chairs of
technical sessions.
The Organizing Committee also wishes to thank the following sponsors
(as of September 2, 2014 in the order in which they were confirmed) for their
generous support:
Main Sponsors: Outotec and Antofagasta Minerals
Gold: EDEMET, ThyssenKrupp, Russell Mineral Equipment
and A LS Global
Silver: CiDR A , TI A R, AzkoNobel, FLSmidth, Elecmetal, Cytec, Weihai
Haiwang Hidrocyclone Co. Ltd., Thermo Scientific, Scantech, TOMS, FEI,
Derrick, Changsha Research Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Bruker,
Shandong Huate Magnet Technology, Honeywell, Ingeniera de Minerales,
Weir Minerals and ST Equipment & Technology LLC
Social: Metso
Students: Magotteaux
Others: Patterson & Cooke and Outotec
Institutional Partners: Sociedad Nacional de Minera (SONA MI), Chile;
Consejo Minero, Chile; Servicio Nacional de Geologa y Minera
(SER NAGEOMIN), Chile; Instituto de Ingenieros de Minas del Per (IIMP);
Asociacin de Ingenieros de Minas, Metalurgistas y Gelogos de Mxico;
the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM); the
Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM); the
Brazilian Mining Association (IBR A M) and the Society for Mining,
Metallurgy & Exploration (SME), Estados Unidos
Official Media: Nueva Minera & Energa, Chile
Media Partners: MEI online, United Kingdom; International Mining,
United Kingdom; and AreaMinera, Chile.

Finally, we would like to thank all the delegates who attended the
congress and exchanged their valuable knowledge and expertise, thus
contributing to the great success of the X X V II International Mineral
Processing Congress, IMPC 2014.
Organizing Committee
IMPC 2014~X X VII International
Mineral Processing Congress

Proceedings Sponsors

We proudly acknowledge Codelco and Mitsui & Co., as the Proceedings Sponsors
of the XXVII International Mineral Processing Congress.

Editors

Head Editor
Juan Yianatos
Juan has a Ph.D. in Mineral Processing from McGill University in Montreal,
Canada, a M.Sc. degree in Process Modeling and Control from cole
Polytechnique, University of Montreal, Canada, and a Bachelors degree in
Chemical Engineering from the Catholic University of Valparaso, Chile. He
is a professor in the Chemical Engineering Department at the Universidad
Tcnica Federico Santa Mara, Valparaso, Chile, where he has been
developing his academic career since 1973. He has also been involved in a
large number of research projects as well as engineering consulting in
mineral processing, mainly focused in characterization and modeling of
industrial flotation processes, for more than 30 years.

Executive Editors
Alex Doll
Alex has a BASc degree in Mining and Mineral Process Engineering from
the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. He has 20 years of
engineering consulting and design experience in base metals and oil sands,
and has also been focusing on comminution testing, modeling and
geometallurgy for the past six years. Alex became an independent
consultant in 2000 and has since spent time as a process engineer in the
Canadian oil sands industry on the massive Albian Sands and CNR L
Horizon projects.

Cesar Gomez
Cesar graduated from Universidad Tcnica del Estado, Santiago, Chile, with
a diploma in chemical engineering, and was granted M.Sc. and Ph.D.
degrees in Fuel Science from The Pennsylvania State University, USA. He
has been mainly associated with academy teaching and directing the
research work of students at several universities. He also has extensive
industrial experience gained by coordinating, at McGill University,
technology transfer to industrial partners and research groups, and by
acting as a consultant on the hydrodynamics characterization of flotation
systems, the development of sensors for gas dispersion, and the diagnosis
of flotation cells and circuits.

Romke Kuyvenhoven
Romke holds a M.Sc. degree in Mining and Petroleum Engineering from
the Technical University of Delft, in The Netherlands. In addition, she has a
double Masters degree in Business Administration from the Universidad de
Chile and Tulane University (USA). She has 15 years of professional
experience in the Mining Industry, specifically in Metallurgical Testing,
Flowsheet Design and Project Management.