Communition

The co-founder of BRS, Ted Bearman, has been working in comminution since 1987 and has been involved with a wide range of topics and developments.  Some of the main areas have included:
 

  • Mechanical design of crushers and screening equipment
  • R&D into HPGR operation and performance
  • Evaluation of alternative comminution approaches, including electric pulse discharge, ultrasonics, microwaves and cone-inertial crushers
  • Fundamental studies of rock breakage, including the use of the Hopkinson Bar
  • Advanced simulation of comminution equipment
  • Advanced blast modelling
  • Process control of comminution equipment
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    Of the over 75 papers written and co-written by Ted Bearman, over 80% have been related to comminution, with three papers being generated from keynote speeches at major international conferences.
     

    Coarse Beneficiation and Waste Rejection

    BRS have been working in the area of waste rejection since its inception and are thought-leaders in this space.  In broad terms, waste rejection is the use of processes to remove waste or very low grade material prior to major treatment in a processing plant or concentrator.  The main areas of interest are:
     

  • Size based separation
  • Particle based ore sorting
  • Mass sensor-based sorting
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    BRS has led initiatives to connect the properties of ore deposits and the mineral content, with amenability to upgrading using the above mentioned approaches.
     

    Sensors

    Sensors are a critical part of waste rejection as described in the previous section.  Due to the importance of the subject, BRS has worked to gain a deep knowledge of available sensor, their width of application and the fit of sensors to particular material types.  As part of this work BRS has been closely connected to work undertaken by CSIRO  in the field of magnetic resonance sensing and the use of gamma activation techniques.
     

    System Modelling

    BRS take the view, as part of its DNA, that it is the performance of the system that dictates the value delivered in a vast majority of instances.  Ensuring that BRS have access to the best possible analytical approaches to modelling systems means that we work extensively with Met Dynamics in terms of both steady state and dynamic process simulation.  Outside of process simulation we are also connected to skilled Associates in the discrete event simulation space.  As such when it comes to the analysis of systems in mining and processing BRS can assemble high quality teams with proven track records in the area.
     

    In-Pit Crushing & Conveying

    The option to consider IPCC versus traditional truck-shovel open pit methods is often difficult to judge objectively. BRS has had extensive experience in the evaluation of IPCC in a like-for-like manner and has developed tools in association with Met Dynamics that assist in the process.