Consulting Services for Diamond Producers

Consulting Services for Diamond Producers

Bateman Engineering provides a comprehensive range of services to processors of diamond-bearing ores to enable the effective recovery of diamonds. These services enable diamond producers to achieve their project objectives, optimise the performance of their diamond-processing facilities and maximise the value extracted from the diamond resource.

The consultancy covers both new and existing facilities and includes technical and due-diligence audits, modelling of the processing parameters, estimation of the economic viability of projects, sampling campaigns, ore-dressing studies, the selection and sourcing of equipment and the provision and development of plant-operating skills.

Technical audits are conducted on established plants, whether originally supplied by Bateman Engineering or not, and assess the extent to which the facilities meet or deviate from the client’s expectations and accepted standards. Calibrated tracers are introduced into the process streams and statistical methods are used to interpret the plant’s performance from the quantities of tracers recovered at the end of each stream.

The plant processes are modelled using computer programs to study the process parameters and materials-feed conditions. Typically, the ore, carat and water streams are modelled at the appropriate levels of simulation. Steady-state simulation permits the analysis of variances in the material flow and enables the base-case mass balance to be determined. Dynamic simulation is applied to time-related processes, such as in the design of the circuit’s storage and transfer points.

The economic viability of proposed diamond-recovery ventures is estimated and risk profiles prepared. This is based on the client’s early geological knowledge of facie types, size and grade of the diamond resource and estimates of the average value of the diamonds and waste in the resource. A cash-flow projection (discounted and undiscounted) is developed, based on Bateman Engineering’s extensive knowledge of the capital and operating cost of appropriate processing facilities. Optimal processing routes are selected, e.g. X-ray or grease-table recovery, and estimates made of the process plant’s specifications, potential return and payback period.

Consulting services on sampling of particulate matter in the process circuits ensure that the sampling is conducted at the correct level of confidence by specifying sample sizes, increments and frequencies and the minimum sizes necessary for screening analysis. Suitable sampling equipment is sourced and selected and appropriate analytical methods applied. The sampling and sample-preparation personnel are trained and the data interpreted and subsequent corrective action proposed.

Ore-dressing studies permit the prediction of the potential effect of an ore feed on the process plant. Quality sampling of the ore is vital and is conducted by accredited agencies. The characteristics of the ore and the diamonds in it are determined and the results used to verify and optimise the flowsheet of the process plant.

Due-diligence audits are conducted on early plant, process or project designs and incorporate financial (capex and opex) modelling, value optimisation and technical evaluation. Sampling may also form part of due-diligence studies, as required for listing on securities or stock exchanges (per the SAMREC or equivalent international codes of practice).

Equipment for the processing circuit is specified and selected and potential suppliers and sources of the equipment identified. Objective evaluations are made of the available products, backed up by Bateman Engineering’s experience with equipment used elsewhere.

Assistance is provided to acquire the skills to effectively run and maintain diamond-processing facilities. This could be either through direct management, operation and the commissioning of the plant and equipment or through the provision of cost-effective higher-level technical skills, advanced and specialised diamond processing personnel and even basic training of novice staff.

These services are based on Bateman Engineering’s comprehensive engineering, project-management and consulting experience to the diamond-mining industry in support of the total lifecycle of diamond-processing operations. Through more than 400 diamond projects in more than 60 countries throughout the world since the 1960s, Bateman Engineering has established a leading capability in the processing and recovery of diamonds.

More detail on Bateman Engineering’s consulting services for diamond producers may be obtained from Liam Cafferty, General Manager, Business Development – Diamonds, on +27-11-899-9111 or email Diamonds@BatemanEngineering.com.

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