Engineering and Mining Journal - Whether the market is copper, gold, nickel, iron ore, lead/zinc, PGM, diamonds or other commodities, E&MJ takes the lead in projecting trends, following development and reporting on the most efficient operating pr
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will identify problem areas where the plant is not performing adequately or according to its original design. Based on the survey, corrective action can be planned with the incorporation of the latest technologies where appropriate. Easton: A firm understanding of the classification requirements in a particular application are the best starting tools an engineer or operator can use. Recognizing what the process requirements and con- straints are, and reconciling those with equipment solutions, is critical. Having the right screening and classifying equipment to achieve the desired process at the best combination of capex and opex will ensure the highest return on investment. Leblond: The answer to this question varies depending on whether tensioned media or modular panels are being used on shaker screens. Looking specifically at ten- sioned-wire media, either woven or Flex- Mat 3, the media should wear and not break. Operators should know how to install screen media so as to eliminate breakage. Perkins: "The single largest contribu- tor currently to reducing operating costs within mineral processing is the applica- tion of the Derrick Stack Sizer. Derrick's application engineers are enabling con- centrators to drastically reduce grinding costs through the use of fine screening to replace more traditional separation devices like hydrocyclones." Future Trends Finally, E&MJ; asked the experts how they see screening practice developing, especially in terms of screen media de- sign and properties. Easton: "Continued development of materials of construction as well as config- urations will inevitably improve valuable material recovery. Thinking outside of the box is key to finding better ways of classi- fying and screening. Just because this is how it always has been done is no longer a valid selection criteria. Undoubtedly there will be those who stick with 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it,' but rest assured soon they may be left in the dust by those inter- ested in finding a better way." Sandvik: More advanced products are to come, both regarding material and design. Customers are requesting longer lifetimes combined with high efficiency. That will not be solved just by using thick- er media; it has to be something else. Leblond: "I see Flex-Mat 3 replacing 75% of the woven-wire screen media and 76 E&MJ; • JUNE 2014 www.e-mj.com COMPANY PROFILE-PAID ADVERTISEMENT Major Wire developed its line of crown bar adaptors, pictured here, to help producers who had flat screen decks that were limited to only using modular type screen media but wanted to use Major Wire's Flex-Mat 3 tensioned high-performance screen media. S C R E E N S EMJ_pg72-77_EMJ_pg72-77 6/3/14 3:06 PM Page 76