Arrium (Now Simec Mining) – Iron Baron & Iron Duke

Project highlights

• Variable low grade tailings stockpiles beneficiated to deliver high grade Iron Ore product
• Preassembled modular plant design for minimal site construction time
• Whole Plant Delivery – fully integrated processing solutions from concept to operation
• EPC project

Smart engineering

Extensive testwork over a 2-year period combined with robust industrial mining technologies and clever design resulted in cost-effective beneficiation plant design for Arrium’s* Iron Baron and Iron Duke projects.

The challenge for these projects was managing the high variability of the low-grade and mine waste stockpiles. Mineral Technologies’ know-how and experience in metallurgical testwork was a key part of the solution, uncovering a number of beneficiation options. The extensive testwork delivered process designs utilising the latest HC33 gravity separation spiral technology to achieve cost-effective solutions.

The Iron Baron plant is beneficiating highly variable low-grade ore from a nominal 50% Fe to an Fe content of 64%. At full feed capacity the plant is capable of treating 2.2 mtpa production capacity.

These projects are further evidence of a trend across Australia to beneficiate low-grade tailings stockpiles to produce high-grade ore.

Total solution – Iron Duke

Due to the success of the Iron Baron project, Mineral Technologies was engaged to deliver a complete solution including testwork, design, delivery and commissioning for the new Iron Duke spiral processing plant which was completed in 2013.

Arrium* engaged Mineral Technologies’ expertise from concept through design and execution. Awarded the EPC contract in 2010 for the Iron Duke plant, Mineral Technologies and its parent Downer delivered the construction phase.

Based on Mineral Technologies’ extensive testwork on the project, the total solution also included a process guarantee which significantly reduced project risk for Arrium*.

*Arrium is now Simic Mining