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INNOVATIVE mining solutions company Reynolds Soil Technologies (RST) has developed a new technology Total Fines Control custom made for the hard rock ore mining industry.
The Total Fines Control product, specifically designed to improve the material handling process of ore and precious metals, was developed following the March launch of Total Coal Control, RST’s coal focused breakthrough technology.
RST technical and operations director David Handel said while the TCC technology shared similar characteristics, the newly launched Total Fines Control was developed to strategically manage the entire material handling process of mined ore, offering multi-functional application benefits to deliver a premium product at the end of the supply chain.
“In hard rock mining, we are not too concerned about protecting the ore from degradation or changes to its mined form, which is the focus of our recently released product Total Coal Control,” said Mr Handel.
“For this kind of mining, we are interested in materials handling improvements throughout the complete materials supply chain. This is where Total Fines Control has been specifically developed.”
Mr Handel said TFC was designed and created to assist the challenges faced by the hard rock mining industry, indentifying the need to manage contaminated fine particles as well as improve mine safety and overall efficiency.
“Fine particles are the fine fraction of mined material responsible for a large number of issues associated with the mining industry,” said Mr Handel.
“Throughout the material handling process, there is always the danger of fugitive dust or run off occurring.
“The consequences can be hazardous, costly and maintenance absorbing. We have long played witness to this and for this reason we have developed a solution that will counteract these problems.”
Mr Handel said TFC is a specially formulated polymer solution applied at low dosage rates to mined ore to encapsulate contaminated ore fines, protect quality and improve handling and storage characteristics.
He said the TFC solution could also be diluted in water for spray application.
“Our latest product Total Fines Control improves the efficiency of the material handling process during conveying and transport, improving ore recovery during processing and ensuring mineral quality is of the highest level at the end of the supply chain,” said Mr Handel.
“By applying Total Fines Control to untreated ore, it not only improves the quality, but also greatly reduces material slumping, fluidity, carry back, erosion and sediment formation. It also suppresses fugitive dust throughout the supply chain, prevents rain erosion and material loss, improves moisture control and protects employees from hazardous dust levels.”
Mr Handel said RST’s commitment to the constant improvement and development of its existing solutions was the driving force behind the development of the new technology, TFC.
“We are constantly researching and looking for new ways to offer the best, most advanced and cost-effective solutions for our clients,” he said.
RST has more than 24 years experience specialising in total dust management, soil stabilisation and erosion, water and agricultural solutions for mine sites, haul roads, ports and land sites in Australia and overseas.
The company, headquartered in Burleigh Heads, Queensland, with offices in Welshpool, Western Australia, design, construct and maintain all systems. With qualified site technicians managing each program, RST implements continual improvement programs to ensure that all products and systems are supplying clients with optimum results.
For more information please contact Reynolds Soil Technologies on (07) 5522-0244 or visit www.rstsolutions.com.au.
