BHP and Eriez Launch Innovative HydroFloat Plant for Enhanced Mineral Recovery

BHP, a leading global resources company, and Eriez, an expert in advanced mineral processing solutions, have successfully launched a HydroFloat coarse particle flotation (CPF) plant at BHP’s Carrapateena mine in South Australia. This initiative marks a significant advancement in the realm of sustainable and efficient mineral recovery, poised to transform practices within the mining industry.

The project was completed through a collaborative effort involving BHP, Eriez, VOLPRO Pty Ltd, and Paradocs Metallurgy. The teams worked closely to integrate HydroFloat technology into the existing processing circuit. Their joint efforts spanned from installation to commissioning and optimization, achieving performance targets within an accelerated timeline and budget constraints.

The HydroFloat CPF technology is designed to recover coarse, high-value particles that traditional flotation methods typically fail to capture, thereby enhancing metal recovery rates and overall plant throughput. This not only supports more sustainable mining operations but also improves tailings management, which is increasingly critical in today’s environmental landscape.

Significant Milestone for BHP’s Operations

Anna Wiley, the asset president for BHP Copper South Australia, emphasized the importance of this project, stating, “We are making great progress in building our South Australian copper province. This is a massive achievement for our team and a significant step forward for our Copper SA operations.” She further noted the HydroFloat technology as a prime example of the innovative approaches and investments that will drive BHP’s future success in the region. Wiley highlighted that this project is a first-of-its-kind for BHP, which will notably enhance processing capacity while maintaining high recovery rates.

Jose Concha, global director of mining products at Eriez, commented on the collaborative nature of the project, saying, “BHP’s focus on innovation and operational excellence was critical to the success of this project. The trust, transparency, and teamwork with the Carrapateena operations team, VOLPRO Pty Ltd, and Paradocs Metallurgy have raised the bar for future HydroFloat deployments.”

The newly commissioned plant is now fully operational and delivering results that align with initial expectations. This success lays the groundwork for broader adoption of HydroFloat CPF technology in processing both base and precious metals. Moving forward, BHP, Eriez, and their partners plan to refine the technology and CPF flowsheets while sharing valuable insights. They will also explore additional opportunities to expand the application of HydroFloat across other operations.

This collaboration not only exemplifies advancements in mineral processing but also underscores a commitment to innovation within the mining sector. The ongoing enhancements in technology and process efficiency represent a significant leap towards sustainable mining practices, aligning with global efforts to reduce environmental impacts and improve resource management.

For further information on this initiative, visit the official websites of BHP at www.BHP.com and Eriez at www.Eriez.com.