Report
Teaser, summary, work performed and final results
Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MetalIntelligence (European Industrial Doctorate in future efficient minerals analysis, processing and training)
Teaser
A resource-efficient EU is recognised as a societal challenge. However, the pathway from searching for mineral deposits to metal production is complex and involves a number of sectors (geosciences, chemical analysts, mining, processing, metallurgy) that have tended to work in...
Summary
A resource-efficient EU is recognised as a societal challenge. However, the pathway from searching for mineral deposits to metal production is complex and involves a number of sectors (geosciences, chemical analysts, mining, processing, metallurgy) that have tended to work in silos. The overall aim of MetalIntelligence is, therefore, to disrupt this compartmentalisation, by training 6 Early Stage Researchers (ESR) through a multidisciplinary network of academic and industry leaders with an exceptionally broad range of expertise and skills.
The team comprises three beneficiaries (two academic, in Ireland and Sweden, and one Industry, Finland) as well as four partners from the UK, Ireland, and Finland who will provide secondment opportunities and/or industrial supervision. The programme is arranged in six work packages, involving:
1. Management
2. Training
3. Improvement mineral analysis in preparation for more efficient processing
4. Advanced modelling of dynamic minerals processing
5. Modern, technology-enhanced training for future professionals
6. Dissemination
The tailor-made training programme consists of network-wide components, delivered by industry and academia leaders as well as specific training in the workplace. With this approach, the MetalIntelligence network aligns with European innovation capacity policies and the network will contribute to keeping the industries competitive by developing innovative, more gender-balanced human capital for the raw materials sector in Europe.
Work performed
A well-structured and coordinated training programme has been conducted, involving the two components (i) training though intersectoral individual research project and locally delivered training for each ESR as part of their PhD studies, and (ii) a series of structured mandatory network-wide training events. The latter comprised an induction program, Mineral Characterisation, HSC software and Geometallurgical training, in addition to Communication, Dissemination and Outreach, IPR, Entrepreneurship and Business Development and Leadership and Project Management training.
During the reporting period, research and development work has been conducted by the ESRs according to their personal career development plan. The primary results so far have been as follows: ESR1 has used a range of methods (including SEM-EDS) to characterize samples from the South Africa in terms of mineral composition and elemental distribution. ESR2 has begun to explore methods such as LA-ICP-MS, in order to examine trace element concentrations in samples which have been previously analyzed for mineral liberation analysis by SEM. (Trace matter can negatively impact on mineral processing plants, by reducing efficiency and causing an increase in energy consumption). ESR3 has developed an in-house tool to extract features like shape and textural information from a 3D drill core image acquired using X-ray tomography. Moreover, machine-learning based mineral classification has been used for differentiating minerals present in the 3D image, which has been proven able to discriminate minerals of similar density (i.e. having similar grey values), as for instance pyrite and chalcopyrite. ESR4 has made a detailed mineralogical and textural characterization of the Lappberget ore body in Sweden and identified five major ore types based on their mineralogy, texture, and host lithology and alteration. Preliminary results also show distinct metal zonation within the orebody; silver-rich ores on top, massive remobilised zinc ores in the middle, and increasing copper and gold grades at depth. ESR5 has created a dynamic process simulation model of lithium concentrator plant with grinding and flotation circuits. The dynamic component of the simulation makes the training more immersive, the operator being required to consider transient phases of the process when changing its settings. Moreover, this process simulation model is reusable for other purposes such as process design and scheduling, as well as for process operation optimization using model predictive control and process advisors. Finally, ESR6 has developed a training evaluation for flotation simulator-based training. The training was evaluated using the first two levels of Kirkpatrick’s training evaluation model: Reaction, measuring the attendee\'s satisfaction, and Learning, evaluating the knowledge and skills retention. The reaction evaluation showed a high level of satisfaction from the part of the operators.
Final results
MetalIntelligence demonstrates significant originality and innovation in both its doctoral training programme and the integrated and interdisciplinary research approach to mineral characterisation and processing.
The network combines the very best of academic and industry knowledge with state-of-the-art facilities to directly contribute to the objectives of the Resource Efficient Flagship Initiative for Europe 2020 through the development of more efficient mineral characterisation methods, as well as quantification methods for economically relevant trace elements. In particular, the following results are expected:
• MetalIntelligence interdisciplinary research will develop new techniques to bridge the divide between precise but slow and expensive academic minerals analysis and inflexible and oversimplified industry-type analysis.
• High resolution X-ray computed tomography will be used for developing novel spatially based predictive models for mineral processing which will integrate geology and metallurgy.
• Innovative technology enhanced learning tool for the virtual training of processing plant personnel will be developed to ensure that the technically changes to plant operate deliver the maximum benefit in terms of economic output, efficient use of raw materials and energy savings.
• The MetalIntelligence collaboration will facilitate network-wide access to essential infrastructure such as SEM dedicated to geoscience research, laboratory scale processing plant, high resolution X-ray computer tomography and a state-of-the-art simulator.
The research and training experience from MetalIntelligence will enhance the career perspectives and employability of the ESRs and contribute to their skills development with respect to:
• Interdisciplinary research skills
• International and intersectoral mobility
• Innovation and creativity
• Technology for remote working
• Networking and collaboration
• Complementary skills
Website & more info
More info: http://www.metalintelligence.eu.