World leading Finnish technology: history and future outlook Kari Heiskanen, Prof in Minerals and Recycling Engineering, Aalto University Mining On Top: Helsinki 16-17 September 2013 | Helsinki

1. “World leading Finnish technology:
history and future outlook”
Kari Heiskanen
D.Sc., professor
Aalto University

2. Content
• Some theses to start with
• A few worlds of history
• Discussion of processing paradigm
• Discussion of operations paradigm

3. Some theses to start with
• Paradigm levels
–Operations, production
• Paradigm development
– Effects on technology offerings
• Paradigm orchestration
– Technology breakthroughs

4. Operations paradigm
• Compartmentalisation
– Mining as a technical exercise
• Emphasis on production development
– Mining as an economical exercise
• Mining as an techno-economical
exercise
– Life time costs
– Services
– Complete technical solutions

5. A few words of history
• Roots of the existing technology level are
– During compartmentalized operations
paradigm
– Engineering and maintenance arms of
operating companies
• Individual inventors within these organisations
• Focused on engineering and local needs.

6. A few words of history
• The history has taken us to consider more
solving the processing issues
– Better, bigger and more efficient machines

7. Weighted average percentage head grades of copper mines, 1970 onwards.
Crowson P., Some observations on copper yields and ore grades, Resources Policy Volume 37, Issue 1 2012 59 – 72

8. Processing paradigms
• Scale effects
• CAPEX / OPEX

9. Processing paradigm solutions
Courtesy Sandvik
Courtesy IMA engineering

10. Processing paradigm solutions
• Mill sizes grown to +28MW of power
• A single line with SAG/BM can treat +130 000 mtpd
Courtesy Metso

11. Processing paradigm solutions
Courtesy Metso

12. Processing paradigm solutions
Courtesy Outotec

13. Processing paradigm solutions
Courtesy Outotec

14. Processing paradigm solutions
Courtesy Outotec

15. Question ?
• Do we have enough of
resources to maintain our
competitive edge?

16. Some facts to the question
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
Year
Volume(m3)
OK / TankCell®
Dorr-Oliver has license for OK cells
Bateman has license for OK cells
BGRIMM
2002
2007
1997
1994
19911986
1980
1972 1989
2002
2006
2005
1992
2008
2009
FLSmidth
2005
Courtesy Outotec
FLSmidthOK / TankCell® BGRIMM

17. Future for processing ?
• Processing paradigm shifts
• Asking stupid questions
• Not taking anything granted

18. New processing paradigm solutions
Courtesy Metso

19. Changes
• Changing conceptions of Nature
• Social Media
• Position of raw materials in the value chains
– Perceptions
• Society averse to risks

20. Big issues to be tackled by changing the
operations paradigm
• Energy,
• Waste and other emissions,
• Water,
– use and waste water release
• Workforce,
• Local societal fabric.

21. Operations paradigm
• Compartmentalisation
• Mining as an techno-economical
exercise
• Systemic exercise
–Environmental and social issues affect
strongly and form major constraints
when optimising the operations

22. Systemic paradigm
• Energy
– New ideas on comminution
• Will the SAG become obsolete in 10 years?
• Tailings
– Tailings treatment
• Water
– Real closed water circulation (indoors)
• No wet tailing ponds

23. Conclusions
Paradigm shift will happen
Do we want to lead or follow?