Media Release

For immediate release

JKTech Upgrades JKDW & SMC Test with New Specific Energy Parameter: the “SCSE”

A landmark improvement has been made to JKTech’s JK Drop Weight Test and SMC Test® by enhancing the usefulness of the A and b parameters and converting them to a more meaningful specific energy value.

For over 20 years, the results of JK DW and SMC tests have been reported as A and b parameters which have been universally accepted as representing an ore’s resistance to impact breakage. These parameters however have no physical meaning in their own right, but are ore hardness parameters used by the AG/SAG mill model in JKSimMet which permit the prediction of the product size distribution and the power draw of the AG/SAG mill for a given feed size distribution and feed rate.

Using A*b as the single parameter to describe the impact resistance of a particular ore has been shown to have dual drawbacks. Firstly, A*b is inversely related to impact resistance, which adds unnecessary complication. Secondly, A*b is related to impact resistance in a non-linear manner.

Thus, to give a more intuitive parameter, JKTech Pty Ltd and SMC Testing Pty Ltd have developed a “standard” simulation methodology to predict the specific energy required for a particular tested ore when treated in a “Standard” circuit comprising a SAG mill in closed circuit with a pebble crusher.

The specific energy value for the “standard” circuit, SAG Circuit Specific Energy (SCSE), will be included in future JKTech Pty Ltd reports of JK Drop Weight and SMC Test® results in addition to the traditional A, b, ta and crusher parameters.

Of course, the SCSE quoted value will not necessarily match the specific energy required for an existing or a planned AG/SAG mill due to differences in the many operating and design variables. SCSE will be an effective tool to compare in a relative manner the expected behaviours of different ores in AG/SAG milling.

+ENDS+

Further information:

Dominic Stoll

Manager - Metallurgical Solutions

JKTech Laboratory Services

E:

T: +61 7 3346 5883


About JKTech

JKTech is a global provider of innovative technologies to the international resources industry offering a range of cutting edge technologies aimed at increasing productivity and metal recovery and reducing operation costs, while improving the long term sustainability of an operation. We deliver world class solutions to the minerals industry by providing products and services in ore characterisation and process improvement within all areas of the life-of-mine cycle including geology, mining, mineral processing and sustainability. JKTech Pty Ltd is wholly owned by The University of Queensland as the technology transfer company for all Centres within the Sustainable Minerals Institute.

About the Sustainable Minerals Institute


The Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI) at the University of Queensland is a world leading research institute dedicated to finding knowledge-based solutions to the sustainability challenges of the global minerals industry.

SMI’s purpose is to develop practical solutions to the challenges of operating sustainably in the resources sector. It has a unique inter-disciplinary approach including expertise in engineering, science and the social sciences.
SMI’s expertise comes from experience across the research, government and industry sectors and is genuinely independent and objective. Its work covers all facets of the life of mine from geology, to minerals extraction, water management issues, minerals processing, workplace health and safety, mine rehabilitation and community engagement.

About The University of Queensland

The University of Queensland is one of Australia’s leading research and teaching institutions. It strives for excellence through the creation, preservation, transfer and application of knowledge. For more than a century, it has educated and worked with outstanding people to deliver knowledge leadership for a better world.
UQ is in the top 100 universities worldwide, measured through a number of major independent university rankings: the Academic Ranking of World Universities, Times Higher Education World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings and, Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers for World Universities. UQ is also the largest university in Queensland.

JKTech is the technology transfer company for the Sustainable Minerals Institute at The University of Queensland.

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