Abstract: A process for recovering nickel from a solid feed material containing nickel in the form of millerite is disclosed. The process includes treating a slurry of the solid feed material and a process solution so that all or at least part of the nickel in the millerite forms an acid leachable solid form. The process also includes pressure acid leaching the treated slurry and leaching nickel in solids in the slurry into solution. Finally, the process includes recovering nickel from solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gravity/flotation circuit where a mineral stream, such as a flotation rougher or cleaner concentrate, undergoes a two stage size separation wherein: i) the screen of the first stage provides a coarse stream of particles greater than 110 microns and a fines stream of particles less than 110 microns; and ii) the fines stream of less than 110 microns is subjected to the second stage separation whereupon a cyclone provides an ultrafine/slimes stream of p80 less than about 25 microns and a middlings stream of p80 greater than around 25 microns. The middlings stream is subjected to flotation to recover nickel sulphide which is sent to final concentrate, and reject or depress magnesia which undergoes gravity separation to concentrate the MgO. It has been discovered that a large proportion of the MgO minerals in the concentrate are contained in the 30 to 100 micron size fraction and that they are well liberated making physical separation possible.

Abstract: A data acquisition system for gathering geophysical data, a corresponding method, and a data acquisition unit for use with the system and method are disclosed. The system (10) comprises a plurality of data acquisition units (14) for gathering geophysical data, each data acquisition unit (14) being connectable to at least one sensor (15) and being arranged, during use, to gather geophysical data from the at least one sensor (15). Each data acquisition unit (14) comprises time referencing means (48) arranged to generate time reference data usable to control the time at which samples of geophysical data are taken. The system (10) further comprises means for calculating spatial derivatives between samples associated with adjacent sensors (15) connected during use to the data acquisition units (14).

Abstract: A solvent extraction process is disclosed. The process includes using an organic solvent that contains a non-ionic extractant and a conductivity enhancer that increases the electrical conductivity of the solvent to reduce build-up of static electricity in the process and thereby reduce the electrostatic discharge hazard of the solvent to an adequate fire safety level.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for flotation of sulphide minerals where a flotation pulp is separated into a coarse stream and a fine stream, preferably containing particles coarser than about 30 micron and particles finer than about 30 micron, respectively. Typically, alkali and depressant are added to the coarse flotation stream only and acid and activator are added to the fine flotation stream only. During flotation of the fine stream, acid and/or activator may be added at the conditioning, cleaning, re-cleaning, cleaner-scavenging or third cleaning stage. During flotation of the coarse stream, alkali and/or depressant may be added at the conditioning or cleaning stage.

Abstract: A data acquisition system for gathering geophysical data, a corresponding method, and a data acquisition unit for use with the system and method are disclosed. The system (10) comprises a plurality of data acquisition units (14) for gathering geophysical data, each data acquisition unit (14) being connectable to at least one sensor (15) and being arranged, during use, to gather geophysical data from the at least one sensor (15). Each data acquisition unit (14) comprises time referencing means (48) arranged to generate time reference data usable to control the time at which samples of geophysical data are taken. The system (10) further comprises means for calculating spatial derivatives between samples associated with adjacent sensors (15) connected during use to the data acquisition units (14).