Sample Preparation

Sample Preparation
MINTEK has a fully equipped sample preparation facility. Its function is to provide support for
small-, medium-, or large-scale operations, both inside and outside Mintek, with respect to sample
preparation. This includes crushing, milling and blending of samples.
Facilities
•Concrete drying pad for bulk sample drying and sorting –
maximum capacity 2 000 t;
•Pilot-scale crushing and screening plant, consisting of
a 20 inch by 10 inch jaw crusher followed by a 2-foot
Symons cone crusher in closed circuit with a vibrating
screen. The maximum reduction ratio is from -150 mm to
-6 mm;
•A variety of small crushers are also available - jaw, roll,
cone, and pulverisers for handling small samples up to 50 kg. Samples up to 2 t can be treated with jaw crushers
and roll crushers;
•Samples up to 200 kg can be blended using a double
cone blender; and,
•Larger samples up to 100 t have been blended using a
layering technique similar to the stacker/reclaimer system
used in industry. This technique is recommended for
preparing representative feed for pilot plant campaigns.
Facility Fine Grind Capacity
•Grind ROM ores to below 38 μm;
•Handle 3 tons per day; and,
•All types of ores can be handled and processed in this
facility.
•In large-scale testwork, screen analysis can be carried
out using large screens or a rotary trommel screen.
Other Capabilities
•In small-scale testwork, particle size can be determined
using normal wet and dry screening techniques down
to 38 mm. Sub-sieve sizing to produce size fractions for
chemical analysis is performed using a Cyclosizer;
•Particle density and bulk density of samples;
•A Particle Size Analyser is used for size analysis down to 1 μm;
•Ceramic and steel mills are available for dry batch
milling;
For further information contact
Manager: Minerals Processing Division
Tel: +27 11 709-4736
Fax: +27 11 709-4427
MPDmanager@mintek.co.za
•Viscosity measurements;
•Preparation of standard analytical samples; and,
•Air classification.
Note: Mintek is registered with the National Nuclear
Regulator to process radioactive minerals such as uranium,
thorium and monazite.
Mintek
200 Malibongwe Drive, Randburg, South Africa
Private Bag X3015, Randburg 2125, South Africa
Tel: +27 11 709 4111
www.mintek.co.za