Types of Mining Processing Plants
Mining processing plants are designed based on the type of mineral being processed and the recovery method employed. Understanding the different plant types helps in selecting the right configuration.
Crushing and Screening Plants
These plants reduce the size of mined ore without recovering any valuable mineral. They are used for:
- Aggregate production for construction
- Pre-concentration sizing
- Dimensional stone processing
Key Equipment: Jaw crushers, cone crushers, impact crushers, screens, conveyors
Concentration Plants
These plants separate valuable minerals from gangue based on physical or chemical properties:
Gravity Concentration Plants:
- Use density differences for separation
- Common for gold, tin, tungsten, iron ore
Flotation Plants:
- Use surface chemistry differences
- Standard for copper, lead, zinc, nickel sulfides
Types of Mining Processing Plants
Magnetic Separation Plants:
- Use magnetic properties for separation
- Common for iron ore, magnetite, some copper
Leaching Plants
These plants dissolve valuable metals in chemical solutions:
- Heap leaching: For low-grade ores, copper, gold
- Agitation leaching: For higher-grade ores, gold, copper
- In-situ leaching: Solution injected into ore body
DRI (Direct Reduced Iron) Plants
These process iron ore to produce metallic iron for steel-making, using reducing gases rather than traditional smelting.
WSHT provides equipment and EPC services for all major types of mining processing plants.
