Electrometallurgy 2013 Workshop

Electrometallurgy Workshop : Opportunities and challenges

20-21February 2013 | Misty Hills, Muldersdrift

Hydrometallurgical processing plays an important role in modern extractive metallurgy. Ore materials are becoming increasingly complex in their elemental and mineralogical composition, coupled with lower concentrations of the desirable metals. More recycled and secondary materials are being processed due to sustainability concerns. The complexity of these feed materials-ores and secondaries-require processing that can effectively concentrate and purify the varied feed materials. In this respect hydrometallurgical methods often provide suitable solutions to the problems.

After the initial leaching-, purification and concentration steps the valuable metals have to be recovered from solution. This is often done by electrowinning. The tankhouses required for this are usually large and require good control to provide a quality product at an acceptable electrical power input. Such control requires an understanding of the electrochemical principles underlying the process to deal effectively with the problems that invariably crop up.

Of late electrical power usage has come under the spotlight in South Africa. The minimisation of power use requires that inefficiencies are minimised-issues such as electrical short circuits due to nodule- or dendrite formation; wasteful side reactions etc. A good understanding of the technical principles, both theoretical and practical, is necessary to optimise the tankhouse operations.

This workshop thus has two components. The first, day 1, provides an overview of the applicable electrochemical theory. It can equip new staff with the basic knowledge required to gain an understanding of the processes in a tankhouse, or act as a refresher course to those who already have a background in electrometallurgy. The second component, days 2 and 3, provides for a more practically oriented focus on modern tankhouse practice and technology. It is intended to provide an overview of many processes, thus allowing participants to obtain insight into a broad range of industries.

Sponsorship Opportunities
Companies wishing to sponsor or exhibit should contact the Conference Coordinator
Caron Kos
Conference Co-ordinator
SAIMM, P O Box 61127
Marshalltown
2107
Tel: (011) 834-1273/7
Fax: (011) 833-8156 or (011) 838-5923
Co-ordinator Email: caron@saimm.co.za

Preliminary Programme
Day 1: Wednesday 20th February 2013

07:30-08:30        Registration & Early Morning Refreshments

08:30-08:35        Welcome by Chairman
                             Dr D. Groot

08:35-08:50         Opening
                              Dr Gordon Smith, President SAIMM

08:50-09:20          Opening address

09:20-10:00          Overview of electrometallurgy
                               Vusi Sibande

10:00-10:15          Tea Break

10:15-11:20          Electrochemical cells
                               Prof. Mike Nicol, Murdoch University Western Australia

11:20-13:00          Rate processes in electrometallurgy
                               Prof. Mike Nicol, Murdoch University Western Australia

13:00-14:00          Lunch

14:00-15:15          Electroprecipitation
                               Prof. Roelf Sandenbergh, University of Pretoria

15:15-15:30          Afternoon Tea

15:30-17:00           Design of electrochemical plant
                                Prof. Roelf Sandenbergh, University of Pretoria

17:00-17:30           Networking cocktail function

Day 2: Thursday 21st February 2013

07:30-08:30           Registration & Early Morning Refreshments

08:30-09:30           Diaphragm cells (Ni, Co, Mn)
                                Frank Crundwell and Tim Robinson

09:30-10:00            Cobalt electrowinning
                                 Dr Kathy Sole

10:00-10:30            Tea Break

10:30-11:00            Zinc electrowinning
                                 Estelle Alberts, Skorpion Zinc

11:00-11:30            Copper electrowinning
                                 Barry McGeorge, Amplats

11:30-12:00             Gold electrowinning
                                  Prof. Mike Nicol

12:00-12:30             Gold and silver electrorefining
                                  Rieker Ackerman, Rand Refinery

12:30-13:00              Chromic acid production
                                   Mike Techow, Lanxess

13:00-13:30               Lunch

14:00-15:00               Panel discussion: Challenges facing the electrometallurgical
                                    industry

15:00-15:30               Afternoon tea

15:30-16:00               Copper electrowinning
                                    Nico Steenekamp, Lonmin

16:00-16:30                Electrometallurgy in the nuclear industry
                                     Dr Willie Meyer, Necsa

16:30-17:00                Electrogalvanising and electrotinning
                                     Dr Koos Greyling, Arcelor Mittal

17:00                            Conference Closure


Who should attend
- Chemical engineers
- Metallurgical engineers
- Technical managers
- Academics
- Research staff

Registration Fees

Please note:
- Non-members are entitled to free membership of the SAIMM, up to 30 June 2013, for
  attending this event
- Registration fee does not include accommodation
- Prepayment is required for all Registration Fees on or before the date of the event.
- Delegates who have not paid will not be permitted to attend the event

Accommodation
The conference will be hosted at the Misty Hills Conference Centre, which is located in the Cradle of Humankind in Muldersdrift.

For more information visit: www.recreationafrica.co.za

Please Note:
- Registration fee does not includes accommodation

Contact
Caron Kos
Conference Co-ordinator
SAIMM, P O Box 61127
Marshalltown
2107
Tel: (011) 834-1273/7
Fax: (011) 833-8156 or (011) 838-5923
Co-ordinator Email: caron@saimm.co.za