Smelter feed quality control

Final concentrates and furnace feeds from Anglo American Platinum are routinely monitored for quality. Merensky Reef, UG-2, and Platreef concentrates are sampled at the concentrators, as well as blended feed at the smelters, and the composition and mineralogy of these samples are determined at Anglo American Research.This information allows the smelting characteristics of the concentrates to be predicted. Parameters such as the matte fall, spinel formation, and smelting energy requirement can be calculated by modelling.The concentrates are characterised by chemical analyses for base metals, precious elements and trace elements. Various QEMSCAN techniques are used to determine the mineralogy of the samples and the abundance of gangue minerals and base metal sulphides (BMS), as well as the mineral association, are reported.

► Specialized techniques are used to predict smelter behaviour.
► Various QEMSCAN techniques are used for mineralogical analyses.
► Concentrates are blended according to their composition for the best smelting process.
► Major minerals affecting the smelting process are discussed.