Fundamentals of Mineral Processing

Code:

M.EMG0025

Acronym:

FPM

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Technology and Applied Sciences

Instance: 2021/2022 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Mining Engineering Department
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Mining and Geo-Environmental Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M.EMG	2	Plano de estudos oficial a partir de 2008/09	1	-	6	45,5	162

Teaching language

Portuguese
Obs.: Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

Knowledge: Knowledge of basic sciences (chemistry, physics) applied to the characterization of particulate systems. Comprehension: Recognize, describe and identify the unit operations involved in a reduction and classification of particle size. Application: To discriminate the field of application of different technologies: to select the most appropriate technology for a particular case.  Analysis: To calculate the materials balance in steady-state using analytical, numerical, and graphical methods for each unit operation. Synthesis: Create and organize coherent process flowsheets for each unit operation and the process as a whole. Evaluation: Compare different process alternatives.

Learning outcomes and competences

Knowledge of the different unit operations in processing raw materials. Fragmentation and Classification.

Working method

Presencial

Program

CAP. 1 - Comminunution and concentration of rocks and ores.  An introduction to Mineral Processing Technology.
1- Mineral Processing: Technology or Science? 2- Ore treatment as a technology for processing natural raw materials. 3- Notion of ore and mineral deposits.  4-Valorarization steps of mineral deposits. 5- First technical and economic considerations. 6- Major mineral processing methods. Introduction to plant flowsheet. 7- Characterization of a concentration operation: Recovery and weigh yield; The problems of sampling; Graphical analysis of the success of a concentration operation.
CAP. 2 - Characterization of particle properties.
1- Particle size: Sieve analysis; Graphical representations of the results; Classical particle size functions; Efficiency of industrial screening. 2 - Grade: Basis of the study the liberation of valuable minerals.
CAP. 3 - Comminution: Major mineral processing operation
1- Objectives of comminution. 2 - Stages of comminution. 3 - Principles of comminution: comminution theory; Grindability; Energy required for comminution.
CAP. 4 - Crushing
1- Introduction 2- Crushers technology. 3- Crushing circuits accounting; 4- Kinetics of comminution process. 4- Automatic control in crushing circuits.
CAP. 5 - Grinding
1- Introduction; 2- Characterization of grinding processes; 3 - Grinding equipment technology. 4- Tumbling mills. 5 - Special mills; 6- Kinetics of grinding process; 7- Autogenous milling: modern technology of milling.
CAP. 6 - Size separation - Major mineral processing operation
1- Introduction. 2- Fundamentals of size separation. 3- Industrial size separation; 4- Screening. 5- Size separation by hydraulic classification.

Mandatory literature

Mário Rui Machado Leite; Fragmentação e classificação de rochas e minerais, 1986
Barry A. Wills; Wills´s Mineral Processing Technology, Tim Napier-Munn, 2006. ISBN: 0-7506-4450-8

Complementary Bibliography

Adão Benvindo da Luz; Mário Valente Possa, Salvador Luiz de Almeida; Tratamento de Minérios, CETEM, 1998. ISBN: 85-7227-110-4

Teaching methods and learning activities

THEORETICAL - PRACTICAL CLASSES: Main concepts and its technological application. Some examples of paradigmatic situations.

LABORATORY CLASSES: Resolution of selected problems. Carry out scheduled laboratory tests, supported short useful presentations for disseminating the suitable procedures.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	80,00
Participação presencial	5,00
Trabalho laboratorial	5,00
Trabalho escrito	10,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	12,00
Estudo autónomo	84,00
Frequência das aulas	44,00
Trabalho escrito	10,00
Trabalho laboratorial	12,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Students are obliged to attend at least 75% of all the classes.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final Grade (NF) will be calculated using the formula:

NF =0.2*AC+0.8*NT

in which:

NT - Test assessment

AC- Continuous assessment. The continuos assessemente of the classe will calculated using the formula:

AC = 0,15* PL + 0,05* CA

in which:

PL - Laboratorial Component,  based on the following criteria: previous preparation of the experimental work (5%); students’ performance at the laboratory and report with results and discussion to be delivered seven days after the completion of the assignment (10%).

CA - Attendance

To complete the course unit, students have to reach a minimum grade of 7 out of 20 in the Test assessment component and in the continuous assessment component.

 

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable.

Internship work/project

Not applicable.