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Pics from topto bottom:Spiralseparation ofchromite.Densityfractions ofan iron-oresample.TheSarcheshmehmine in Iran.The project proposals and funding agreements for the ferrousand base metals pillars of the Advanced Metals Initiative, whichquarter of 2007. Three projects have been proposed under thisinitiative, all of which are aligned strongly with the automotiveindustry.An investigation was begun on the pre-reduction of manganeseore and the possibility of recovering energy from the liquid slag.These processes hold potential for reducing the carbon dioxideemissions produced during smelting, and possibly for theproduction of hydrogen.Work continued on iron ore characterisation for KumbaResources in support of the Sishen Expansion Project. Inaddition, investigations were carried out on the upgrading ofelutriation, and magnetic separation.Metallurgical testwork, involving investigations of the sizedistribution, comminution characteristics, washability using heavyliquid separation, and gravity separation using tables and spirals,was conducted on material from Chromex Mining’s Mecklenburgchromite project. The results were used as input for the detaileddesign and costing exercise, and to forecast the product split intochemical, and foundry grade).NON-FERROUS METALS INDUSTRYThe bioleaching work package under the European Union’s BioMinEproject, which is co-ordinated by Mintek, has continued to progress well.During the year under review, a number of project partners investigatedthe process engineering development, as well as the more fundamentaltechnology, related to the bio-hydrometallurgical treatment of two low-gradeIntegrated pilot campaigns on the complex polymetallic concentrates from bothof these deposits is scheduled to begin at Mintek in the second half of 2007,and will run through to mid-2008. It is anticipated that a number of our Europeancolleagues in BioMinE will participate in this programme, which, if successful, willlead to pre-feasibility studies. Although the resources are of European origin, theoutcome of the work will be directly relevant to similar deposits in southern Africaand in other parts of the world. BioMinE is funded under the EU’s Sixth FrameworkProgramme (FP6), and is also supported by a major strategic investment by theDST.Large-scale piloting of Mintek’s heap bioleaching technology for chalcopyritebearingcopper ores continued at the Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex in southern2005, a further three 20 kt heaps were commissioned at approximately three-monthlyCopper Industries Company (NICICO) has decided to proceed with the developmentof a commercial plant, with a capacity of 12 kt of copper metal per annum, at theDahrezar copper mine. Mintek will be contributing to the feasibility study for the project,which is scheduled for completion towards the end of 2007, and will remain closelyinvolved in the engineering and commissioning of the planned commercial plant.The successful heap bioleaching of chalcopyritic ores depends on the generation andpreservation of heat of chemical reaction in the heap, and prolonging the permeabilityof the heap. These objectives have been realised by a combination of certain heapconstruction features and operational tactics, and the life cycle of each heap has beenannual report 2007 24