Productivity is the current catch phrase for the mining industry, and energy productivity has a large role to play where low grade ore bodies are processed in remote locations. Extracting the desired mineral requires the crushing and grinding of the mined ore, a process known as comminution. It is estimated 3 % of the world’s electrical energy is used to extract crush rock, therefore any productivity improvements in this process will result in improved business performance. CEEC is a global industry body who aims to focus attention on proven benefits of efficient processing strategies, with a view to improving shareholder satisfaction for all mining operators.
Improving shareholder satisfaction
OZ Minerals’ strategy is to create value for its shareholders and other stakeholders, with a focus on four areas: lean business, multiple assets, copper core and customer focus. Sponsoring CEEC is directly in line with these. Improving processing productivity delivers a lean business result.
Andrew Cole, Managing Director and CEO, Oz Minerals
“The resources sector and cycle is shifting rapidly,” said Andrew Cole, Managing Director and CEO.
“OZ Minerals’ response is to become a leaner, highly agile and decisive company focused on growth and creating long-term value.
“We have, and will continue to make changes across the entire business from a position of operational and balance sheet strength. Our new strategy will touch every part of our operation and demand a new way of working.
“The Company is ideally positioned to maximise cash generation from Prominent Hill as open pit waste movement falls and copper production continues at a strong run-rate.
“Changes in the resources cycle bring opportunities and this strategy is about ensuring we have the foundation and appropriate culture and discipline to capitalise on those,” Mr Cole said.
OZ Minerals joins industry leaders such as Antofagasta Minerals, Anglo American, MMG, Barrick Gold and leading METS companies in supporting CEEC’s work.
About CEEC: CEEC is a not-for-profit global company whose mission is to accelerate knowledge transfer in the field of energy-efficient comminution (crushing and grinding). CEEC aims to raise awareness of beneficial alternative comminution strategies with the objective of improving earnings, achieving lower processing costs and gaining energy productivity in the mining sector.
CEEC is the acronym for the Coalition for Energy Efficient Comminution. CEEC was established by a visionary group of mining industry leaders, who recognized the need to provide a platform for effective communication of the latest technical findings on efficient comminution practices.
Extensive research and improved engineering design has established that a range of improved blasting, crushing, sorting and grinding techniques may lower project costs. These include relatively straight forward strategies such as removing waste material before size reduction, a better combination of grinding technologies and targeting larger grind sizes where mineralogy allows.
CEEC is funded wholly by industry sponsorship from – Anglo American, Barrick Gold, IMARC, CITIC-HIC, Antofagasta Minerals, Oz Minerals, Gekko Systems, Ausenco, Glencore Technology, Outotec, Orica, New Gold Inc, Derrick Corporation, Metso, AMIRA International, MMG, Weir Minerals, Multotec Ltd and FLSmidth.