Alfa Laval has a range of equipment to optimize key processes such as separation and heating and cooling in the beneficiation, leaching and extraction of precious mineral ores including gold, platinum and silver. Our solid-liquid separation can be used in various process steps including dewatering of ore concentrates. Importantly, this technology is a proven alternative to manage tailings safely and cost effectively without the use of dams.
Robust technology designed for tough mining applications
- Optimal operation performance with minimal intervention
- High volume capacities with smaller foot-prints save space
- Contained processes resulting in clean and safe working conditions
- Maximize recovery of valuable products, water and waste heat
- Water re-use helps boost operational sustainability
Our solid-bowl decanter centrifuges increase separation efficiency by cutting lifecycle costs and helping to minimize environmental impact. They can be used to replace or complement existing solutions (such as thickeners, sedimentation dams, filters, etc.) and will help boost capacity and save space. In addition, our heat exchangers are a proven design for heating and cooling duties in a number of precious mineral processing applications.
Tackling tailings safely and sustainably
Alfa Laval decanter centrifuges are a proven, efficient solution for large-scale dewatering of tailings and removing the finest particles that conventional solids control equipment is unable to deal with. They offer a cost effective, sustainable and, above all, safe solution to manage tailings, acting as a complement to traditional separation systems such as thickeners, sedimentation basins and filters or replacing old systems altogether.
How it works
Alfa Laval solid bowl decanter centrifuges are specifically designed to separate mining and mineral slurries, tailings and sludge into a solid phase and liquid phases.
Separation takes place in a horizontal cylindrical bowl equipped with a scroll conveyor. The product is led into the bowl through a stationary inlet tube and is then smoothly accelerated in a full-flow feed zone design. Centrifugal forces of up to 3,500 G make the solids accumulate on the inner surface of the bowl.
The conveyor rotates in the same direction as the bowl, but at a different speed. This moves the solids towards the conical end of the bowl. The solids leave the bowl through the solids discharge openings into the casing.
Separation takes place throughout the length of the cylindrical part of the bowl, and the clarified liquid leaves the bowl by flowing over adjustable plate dams into the casing.
Contact us
Contact Alfa Laval Australia today to get a quote or find out more about our solid bowl centrifuge trial unit.
A centrifuge trial allows to you determine parameters such as the moisture in the cake, centrate clarity, determine scalable capacity and to see how this technology can work in practice for your specific facility.
Local support for your solid bowl decanter centrifuge
No site is too remote. Our team of experienced service engineers based at our Huntingwood/Sydney Service Centre and around Australia help you ensure that your solid bowl decanter centrifuge is performing at its best, so you can focus on the rest. Alfa Laval Australia is at your service.
Opportunities throughout your process
Explore the mining flowchart and discover how an Alfa Laval decanter centrifuge can help streamline your operations in various process areas.
On the pulse of precious minerals and mining processing
Alfa Laval help producers of gold, silver and platinum to get the most out of raw ores – cost-effectively, energy-efficiently and in an environmentally friendly way. From smart reuse of process waters and recirculation of cooling waters to treatment of bleed streams and smart solid waste reduction, count on Alfa Laval. Smart reuse of the vast amounts of heat involved in these processes can contribute directly to the bottom line. While dewatering and separation technologies help extract valuable by-products, reduce waste streams, and minimize environmental impact. Alfa Laval has the process know-how as well as a broad portfolio of equipment and services to help precious mineral and mining producers cut costs, achieve significant energy savings and raise yields.
Big energy savings through heat transfer
Beneficiation, digestion, roasting, leaching, smelting and electro-winning are all energy-intensive processes. By harnessing the heat generated during extraction processes and reusing it in other processes, metal producers not only save big on energy costs, but also boost productivity.
Our heat exchangers (gasketed, welded or spiral) are a proven and highly efficient technology for heat transfer to feed the heat back into the process with unparalleled yield. The heat exchangers’ close temperature approach, high internal turbulence and large heat-transfer areas combine to squeeze out up to 30% more energy than conventional shell-and-tube units out of every heat flow. By replacing costly and bulky units with Alfa Laval heat exchangers, processing plants can save cost and many megawatts of hidden energy each year.
Optimizing separation efficiency
Whether used for solvent extraction, electrowinning, dewatering, recovery of intermediate products, or separation processes, Alfa Laval decanter and separators are reliable, resilient and equipped to deal with the complex solid-liquid or solid-liquid-liquid separation processes involved in mining production production.
Due to highly efficient operation, robust design and the resulting high purity output, Alfa Laval separation solutions are an integral part of nearly all processes in the recovery of mineral raw materials. Which is why metal producers the world over rely on Alfa Laval to help maximize productivity and increase yields.
Customer stories
Tailings management
Meet the tailings dewatering challenge with Alfa Laval’s decanter centrifuges. They offer a cost effective, sustainable and, above all, safe solution to manage tailings. Download the brochure to read more about our cleaner, more efficient and safer solid-liquid separation systems.
Learn more
Read more about the efficiency, practicality and technical details of our range of equipment for solid-liquid separation in precious mineral ore processing by downloading the brochure