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Mining › Metallurgy and Process Design

Mining Engineering Data and Modeling

SGS experts generate engineering data from rheology and liquid-solid separation tests using state-of-the-art testing equipment and procedures.

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We model this data to identify the most efficient pumping and flow constraints to help you ensure that capital equipment such as pumps are sized properly. Such a study is a critical component of test programs for most process industries and its timely planning and execution is key because the flow behavior and pumpability impacts:

  • Movement of slurries (feeds, concentrates or tailings) through a plant, to a tailings area or to a port for onward transport
  • Energy and mass transfer-based unit operations such as pumping 
  • Processes that involve physical separation of liquids from solids (settling, thickening and filtration) 
  • Processes that involve the separation of solids from solids (screening and cycloning)

With our comprehensive rheology database for minerals and metallurgical materials, SGS’s data interpretation leads to the selection of accurate process rheology design criteria.

Rheology tests produce design criteria for processes that:

  • Are mass and energy transfer based
  • Involve physical separation of liquids from solids 
  • Involve physical separation of solids from solids

Such unit operations include:

  • Grinding
  • Pumping
  • Adsorption
  • Gas transfer
  • Precipitation
  • Solid Liquid separation
  • Screening
  • Leaching
  • Mixing
  • Heat exchange
  • Drying
  • Paste production
  • Cycloning
  • Crystallization

Rheological data requirements consist of overall flowability assessment studies and generation of design criteria for the above unit processes. The test results influence directly the bottom line of the operation because optimized rheological conditions minimize energy consumption and capital equipment sizing and foot print, both large components of the operating costs of a continuous flow plant.

SGS provides high quality rheological testwork results because we:

  • Understand rheology fundamentals
  • Generate unambiguous test-data
  • Provide expert interpretation of the results

Engineering modeling of rheology testwork data will enable:

  • Understanding of process design criteria
  • Proper sizing of equipment (ie. pumps)
  • More process control

SGS uses state-of-the-art rheological testing equipment and procedures to test a wide variety of ore, waste and chemical process slurries. We provide significant interpretive value to your rheology testwork, leading to engineering data and slurry flow modeling that positively impacts your bottom line.