Abstract: A method of controlling a froth flotation cell in a froth flotation circuit for separating substances comprises periodically carrying out a control routine to maximize froth stability during the operation of the cell. The control routine comprises changing the gas flow rate to the cell in a series of steps and assessing the froth stability at each gas flow rate and continuing the step changes in the gas flow rate until the froth stability is a peak froth stability or is within a predetermined range of the peak froth stability of the cell.

Abstract: A method of controlling a froth flotation cell in a froth flotation circuit for separating substances is disclosed. The method includes controlling flotation gas flow rate to the cell based on changes in cell conditions to maintain the operation of the cell at a peak froth stability of the cell or closer to the peak froth stability of the cell than if the flotation gas flow rate was not changed.

Abstract: A method of mining is disclosed. The method includes mining material in a mine in accordance with a mine plan designed to maximise the financial performance of the mining operation at the mine.

Abstract: A method of sorting mined material to separate the mined material into at least two categories is disclosed. The method comprises exposing particles of the mined material to microwave energy and heating the particles depending on the susceptibility of the material in the particles. The method also comprises thermally analyzing the particles using the temperatures of the particles as a basis for the analysis to indicate composition differences between particles and then sorting the particles on the basis of the results of the thermal analysis. The method also comprises compensating for temperature variations in the mined material that is supplied to the method.

Abstract: A method of sorting mined material to separate the mined material is disclosed. The method comprises exposing particles of the mined material to microwave energy and heating the particles depending on the susceptibility of the material in the particles. The method also comprises thermally analyzing the particles using the temperatures of the particles as a basis for the analysis to indicate composition differences between particles and sorting the particles on the basis of the results of the thermal analysis. The method also comprises controlling the temperature of particles as the particles are moved between a station at which particles are exposed to microwave energy and a station at which particles are thermally analyzed.

Abstract: A method of sorting mined material to separate the mined material is disclosed. The method comprises exposing particles of the mined material to microwave energy and heating the particles depending on the susceptibility of the material in the particles. The method also comprises thermally analyzing the particles using the temperatures of the particles as a basis for the analysis to indicate composition differences between particles. The thermal analysis step includes thermally assessing particles against a background surface. The thermal analysis step also includes heating the background surface to a temperature that is different to the temperature of the particles to provide a thermal contrast between the particles and the background surface. The method also comprises sorting the particles on the basis of the results of the thermal analysis.

Abstract: This invention relates to a flotation gas flow controller for controlling a flow of a flotation gas to a flotation cell that separates valuable minerals from other materials in crushed ore. The gas flow controller includes a valve for controlling gas flow to the cell and a flow meter for monitoring gas flow to the cell via the valve. The flow meter is also for adjusting the valve as required to change the gas flow to meet the gas flow requirements for the cell. The invention also relates to a flotation cell that includes the gas flow controller, a flow control system and a method of controlling gas flow to a flotation cell with a gas flow controller.

Abstract: A method of controlling a froth flotation cell in a froth flotation circuit for separating substances comprises periodically carrying out a control routine to maximise froth stability during the operation of the cell. The control routine comprises changing the gas flow rate to the cell in a series of steps and assessing the froth stability at each gas flow rate and continuing the step changes in the gas flow rate until the froth stability is a peak froth stability or is within a predetermined range of the peak froth stability of the cell.

Abstract: A method of sorting mined material to separate the mined material into at least two categories is disclosed. The method comprises exposing particles of the mined material to microwave energy and heating particles depending on the susceptibility of the material in the particles. The method also comprises allowing sufficient time for heat generated in the particles to be transferred through the particles so that the surface temperature of the particles is a measure of the mass average temperature through the particles. The method further comprises thermally analysing the particles to detect temperature differences between particles which indicate composition differences between the particles; and thereafter sorting the particles on the basis of the results of the thermal analysis.

Abstract: A method of sorting mined material to separate the mined material into at least two categories is disclosed. The method comprises exposing particles of the mined material to microwave energy and heating the particles depending on the susceptibility of the material in the particles. The method also comprises thermally analysing the particles using the temperatures of the particles as a basis for the analysis to indicate composition differences between particles and then sorting the particles on the basis of the results of the thermal analysis. The method also comprises compensating for temperature variations in the mined material that is supplied to the method.

Abstract: A method of sorting mined material to separate the mined material is disclosed. The method comprises exposing particles of the mined material to microwave energy and heating the particles depending on the susceptibility of the material in the particles. The method also comprises thermally analysing the particles using the temperatures of the particles as a basis for the analysis to indicate composition differences between particles and sorting the particles on the basis of the results of the thermal analysis. The method also comprises controlling the temperature of particles as the particles are moved between a station at which particles are exposed to microwave energy and a station at which particles are thermally analysed.

Abstract: A method of sorting mined material to separate the mined material is disclosed. The method comprises exposing particles of the mined material to microwave energy and heating the particles depending on the susceptibility of the material in the particles. The method also comprises thermally analysing the particles using the temperatures of the particles as a basis for the analysis to indicate composition differences between particles. The thermal analysis step includes thermally assessing particles against a background surface. The thermal analysis step also includes heating the background surface to a temperature that is different to the temperature of the particles to provide a thermal contrast between the particles and the background surface. The method also comprises sorting the particles on the basis of the results of the thermal analysis.

Abstract: A method of sorting mined material to separate the mined material into at least two categories is disclosed. The method comprises exposing particles of the mined material to microwave energy and heating particles depending on the susceptibility of the material in the particles. The method also comprises allowing sufficient time for heat generated in the particles to be transferred through the particles so that the surface temperature of the particles is a measure of the mass average temperature through the particles. The method further comprises thermally analysing the particles to detect temperature differences between particles which indicate composition differences between the particles; and thereafter sorting the particles on the basis of the results of the thermal analysis.