Ten years of continuous research and development have led to a major improvement in the field of iron ore Wet High Intensity Magnetic Separation - WHIMS. With this cutting-edge technology, Gaustec has established a new world record in this class of Magnetic Separators, by providing a sheer feed rate of up to 1400 tph for iron ore fines. Although low-grade iron ore mines will benefit from this new technology, focused on herein is the reclaiming of low-grade iron ore tailing from ponds, having in mind its huge positive environment impact and business opportunity. Based on this newly developed technology, the construction in Brazil of a Concentration Plant started in 2012 for dressing iron ore tailings at 45% Fe grade, at Itaminas Mine. This plant went into operation this year. Based on the good performance of this first unit, the construction of a second Concentration Plant of the same type, to further reduce to 18% Fe in the tailings, is under way, scheduled to be started-up in 2014.
New mega-sized wet high intensity magnetic separator: a cost-effective solution to reclaim iron ore fines from tailing dams
