Recent Publications

Project development in the mining industry

Roger Falls, BATEMAN Deputy Chief Executive, presented a paper on ‘Developing Projects from Feasibility & Finance to Construction & Operation’ at the MIGA, African Mining Investment Symposium in Denver. It reviews the increased role of contractors to industry, like BATEMAN, in assisting with the development phases of typical mining industry projects from inception to operation. These services range from the traditional consulting and EPCM or E & C services to financial and operating services. Special reference is made to the experience in Africa.

Kindly contact Dr Stephen Meijers, Chief Executive, Bateman Minerals & Metals, on +27-11-899-2468.

Ausmelt technology for base metal smelting

Steve Burks, BMI Director, Project Development and Peter Vernon, Ausmelt Consultant presented a paper on ‘The Application of Ausmelt Technology to Base Metal Smelting, Now and in the Future’ at a SAIMM Colloquium on Trends in Base Metals Smelting and Refining. Ausmelt is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly smelting technology for processing base metals. The furnace is small and enclosed, reducing capital costs and minimizing ingress and emission of gases. Both oxidising and reducing environments are possible and any one of a range of fuels may be used. The paper describes existing operations and potential southern African applications with the conclusion that Ausmelt technology could improve virtually every copper, nickel and PGM smelter operation in this region. Novel applications include the recovery ofzinc from sulphides.

Steve Burks may be contacted on +27-11-899-2756 for further details.

Marine diamond mining and processing

Robert Abate, a director of Bateman Minerals and Industrial Limited (BMI), presented a ‘Review of Marine Diamond Mining and Processing’ at the 28th Conference of the Underwater Mining Institute. The techniques and processing plant used today by the marine diamond mining industry were reviewed in depth. BATEMAN is a leading supplier of process plants to this industry. The review also revealed that the recovery of marine diamonds currently is limited to the west coast of southern Africa where De Beers and some five smaller companies are the main players in this industry.

More details may be obtained from Robert Abate on +27-11-899-2238.

Rapid rail load out systems

Eric Fletcher, Marketing Manager, Bateman Materials Handling Limited (BMH), presented a paper on ‘Rail Load Out Systems: Past, Present and Future’ at the International Materials Handling Conference - Beltcon 9. The paper traces the evolution and development of train loading to the present. The relative advantages of the flask versus the flood methods and large and small capacity silos in rapid loading systems are discussed as are the factors affecting the performance of such systems. Various methods of moving trains through the station are described. The presentation draws upon BMH experience with coal load out systems, particularly in southern Africa, but is equally applicable to other materials.

For further information, kindly contact Eric Fletcher on
+27-11-201-2300.

Processing cobalt in Africa

Steve Burks, BMI Director, Project Development, presented a paper on ‘Cobalt In Africa: New Developments’ at a SAIMM Colloquium on Trends in Base Metals Smelting and Refining and at the ALTA 1997 Nickel / Cobalt Pressure Leaching & Hydrometallurgy Forum. The current limited supply and high price of cobalt has generated considerable worldwide interest in cobalt producing projects. Technology has been developed to process any of the potential new sources for cobalt production in Africa, be it from nickel and platinum group metals processing, flotation tailings dams on copper / cobalt mining operations, copper and nickel smelter slags or cobalt bearing pyrite and arsenopyrite concentrates. In addition modifications and expansions to exisiting cobalt production facilities are likely to be initiated in the near future using processes developed specifically for treating the new potential feedstocks. These processes are potentially applicable all over the world, although Africa is a particularly promising region.

Please contact Steve Burks on +27-11-899-2756 for further information.

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