About Prochaine

PROCHAINE ’Design and upscaling in mineral processing’ is an educational project supported by EIT RawMaterials. It initiated in 2017 for the upgrading skills and knowledge in mineral processing.

The training program

The objective is to give learners a good knowledge on the theory and practical issues related to the design and upscaling of the ore beneficiation process, and how this information is related to the operational and economical aspects in the concentrating plant. The training program could be partly tailored to the specific needs of each particular student group.

The course modules

It includes individual training courses distributed in 3 modules. Theoretical lectures organized by Luleå University of Technology (LTU) and Oulu Mining School (OMS), which is one unit of the University of Oulu (UO). Statistically designed laboratory test work module for simulation is organized by LTU and experiments in the plants is organized by OMS and mineral processing laboratory of Geological Survey of Finland (GTK Mintec). Outotec is training to participants in modelling and simulation of various units operation and mineral beneficiation flowsheets. Control and Automation of beneficiation plants are taught by Schneider Electric.

Environmental aspects and health and safety issues related to the process design are considered in each course.

After finishing the training program, the learners have a good fundamental understanding and knowledge in design and scale-up in mineral processing, and the factors affecting the functionality of the process.

Project objective and scope

The objective is to ensure that mineral processing engineers working in the sector gain new knowledge and understanding about the theory and practical issues concerning the design and upscaling of ore beneficiation processes; and, how design and upscaling relates to the operations and economics of mineral processing plants.

The target group

Professionals already working in the mining sector, who are keen to learn more about mineral processing. After the programme the professionals can contribute to more efficient and better controlled processes, which have less environmental impact.

Infrastructure

The combination of mineral processing infrastructures of OMS and GTK Mintec as well as simulation and process mineralogy expertise of LTU and Outotec provides internationally high-level and unique platform for organizing training and educational courses in process design from ore characterization to pilot and industrial scale processes. The course is organized together with Swedish and Finnish partners, strengthens Nordic collaboration in the mining related education and furthers the role of Nordic Mining School. Moreover, the created concept is easily adaptable to students from other universities in Europe and globally, leading to wider networks in the research area.

Modelling and simulation is essential for Mineral Processing professional
Students leaning modelling and simulation using HSC Chemistry software, Antti Remes from Outotec taught from basic to advanced HSC used in various mineral beneficiation flowsheets and scaling-up from batch to plant
Control room for training in automation and control.