The starting point for the program, where the role of the mineral processing professional is viewed in the broader context of mineral and metal production. Participants will study their company’s annual production and environmental reports and reflect on their own potential to impact bottom line performance, either positively or negatively.

Key learning outcomes include the ability to:

• Identify key operational objectives based on the company’s annual report.
• Develop a simple revenue model for the operation based on operational data.
• Review the safety, environmental and social policies of the organization.

This course will help learners recognise the impact of valuable and gangue minerals on economic and environmental outcomes. A sound understanding of mineralogy is essential to mineral process management. Practical examples and case studies introduce the latest tools and analytical methods, and highlight the importance of mineralogy for effective process operation.

Participants will learn:

• Familiarity with modern measurement techniques and conventions for data presentation.
• How to conduct a critical review of mineralogical information at the learner’s own operation.

Effective mineral process management requires regular use of statistical methods to analyse and interpret plant and laboratory data. This course will enable learners to select the best analytical tools and experimental designs, and execute them effectively. This understanding is essential for the success of any process investigation, from simple laboratory tests to major plant trials.

Participants will learn to:

• Develop familiarity with experimental design tools and statistical techniques.
• Know where and when to use various tools.
• Apply selected statistical tools to a typical mineral processing problem.

The course is in two parts. The first covers fundamental breakage theory and the relationship between energy input and size reduction for crushing and grinding, together with technical specifications for traditional and novel comminution machines. The second focuses on the effective management of comminution circuits, practical methods and tools for data collection, and best practice in process modelling, optimization and control.

Participants will learn to:

• Develop a sound knowledge of breakage mechanics in crushing and grinding.
• Conduct a performance audit of a section of comminution plant, and benchmark against industry standards.
• Undertake a process optimization study applying industry standard techniques for process trouble-shooting and problem-solving.

This course addresses fundamental theory and current best practice in mineral flotation. Flotation process theory is introduced along with the most common applications, using examples from well-known operations. Learners then consider strategies for managing operational issues, including laboratory-based investigation methods. A deeper dive into flotation theory then looks quantitively at reactions at the mineral surface, in the pulp phase and in the froth phase. The course then shows how this deeper knowledge can be used for circuit diagnostics and process optimization.

Learners will:

• Develop a sound knowledge of the physical and chemical aspects of the flotation process, and how these are manipulated in flotation machines and circuits.
• Become familiar with best practice in flotation circuit management, monitoring and control.
• Develop circuit optimization strategies by applying knowledge of scientific fundamentals and best practice.

The course is in two parts which can be taken separately.

The key learning outcomes are:

• Solid-liquid separation (dewatering) – Learn about filtration and thickening, and the solid-liquid separation methods most commonly used for mineral processing and tailings disposal.
• Solid-solid separation – Learn about physical separation methods such as magnetic, electric, sensor-based sorting and gravity (water and dense-medium), together with a brief review of the fundamentals that drive them.

This is an introductory course designed to round-out the learner’s knowledge of this aspect of the mineral processing discipline. It provides an overview of leaching chemistry, the main factors that influence the rate and extent of leaching, as well as types of leaching configurations. A summary of extraction options is also provided. (Assessment does not require direct access to a hydrometallurgical process.)

Learners can expect to:

• Understand the role of leaching in metal recovery and its impact on the downstream metal purification and recovery processes.
• Understand the basic flowsheet and the main components of a hydrometallurgical metal recovery process.

The capstone of the Metcelerate program. Working individually or in groups, participants must design and implement a technical investigation in their workplace. Successful completion will demonstrate an ability to: formulate a project in engineering terms, manage a schedule and resources, find solutions by applying current mineral processing tools and methods, and apply skills to a real-world problem in the work environment.

Participants will need to:

• Successfully execute a significant project that adds value for their organization.
• Demonstrate an ability to formulate a project objective and develop an execution plan.
• Develop and demonstrate problem-solving ability and project management skills.