EBARA HG is working to stand at the forefront of innovative mixing solutions that help mining companies meet copper supply needs efficiently and sustainably.
Copper may be found in numerous places worldwide, but Australia holds some of the most significant reserves on the planet, coming in third after Peru and Chile.
But, according to Geoscience Australia, Australia’s current production levels do not align with its vast reserves, with the country ranking eighth in global copper production behind countries including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, China, the US, Russia and Indonesia.
Copper is found in native deposits but is mostly mined as an ore. There are several types of copper ores, with chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) and chalcocite (Cu2S) being commonly extracted.
These sulfide ores are usually processed through froth flotation – a process that separates minerals from ore using bubbles – and thickening before smelting and electrolysis. Another major process involves acid leaching of oxide-based ores, followed by solvent extraction and electrowinning.
These procedures often use Hayward Gordon agitators for conditioning, surge and storage, as well as solvent extraction processes.
Hayward Gordon is one of three brands operated by EBARA HG and EBARA Mixers, a subsidiary of the EBARA Corporation.
Other brands under the EBARA HG and EBARA Mixers umbrella include Sharpe Mixers, which specialises in portable, top-entering and side-entering mixers, and Scott Mixers, which creates high shear mixing and milling solutions that aim to increase productivity, enhance efficiency and reduce downtime.
Together, the companies aim to deliver a complete line of pumps and mixers to support the Australian mining industry.
EBARA Corporation was established in 1912, with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. The company now has more than 100 operations and over 19,000 employees worldwide. It is one of the world’s leading producers of pumps, compressors, fans, gas turbines, chillers, and semiconductor equipment for the mining, industrial, energy, infrastructure and environmental sectors.
Conditioning before copper flotation
EBARA HG specialises in providing efficient Hayward Gordon agitators for conditioning tanks in copper flotation.
According to Seal, maximising recovery in the flotation circuit begins with optimal conditioning tank performance.
“Ensuring uniform dispersion of reagents while maintaining homogeneous suspension of solids is crucial for maximum contact between the components,” EBARA HG business development manger for mixing Graham Seal told Mining.
“EBARA HG collaborates with clients to optimise conditioning tank mixing, enhancing the flotation circuit’s recovery.
“With extensive process knowledge, the company’s application engineers deliver mixers offering optimal results in a reliable, robust mechanical package.”
Surge and storage
Copper processing plants require surge and storage tanks to manage fluctuating feeds and buffer flow between process stages.
EBARA HG’s impeller design and layout aim to ensure consistent performance in surge and storage tank agitators, with hundreds of installations under the company’s belt globally. It has also supplied surge tank agitators for tanks up to 6000m3.
“Our mixers’ ability to provide effective low-level mixing maximises surge and storage capacity during plant upset conditions,” Seal said.
Seal emphasised the fact copper solvent extraction systems benefit from its extensive expertise in pump and mixer technology.
Developing specialised mixing equipment for solvent extraction mixer–settler systems involves selecting and designing suitable primary (or pump) mixers, which generate the necessary head while mixing aqueous and organic phases through optimal droplet formation and dispersion.
Secondary (auxiliary) mixers follow primary mixers, ensuring vigorous low shear mixing and adequate residence time before phase disengagement in the settler.
Versatile solutions
“While EBARA HG’s agitators are essential in copper mining, their versatility extends to other mineral applications,” Seal said.
EBARA HG’s mixers are used in iron ore processing storage tanks, conditioning tanks for nickel, lithium and rare earth metals in gold supply leach, clean in leach (CIL), and clean in place (CIP) agitators.
Each mineral processing application requires slurry storage or agitation that could benefit from EBARA HG’s tailored mixers, which are selected based on the required duty using appropriate materials and impeller styles. Seal said its success stems from a team of engineering experts who collaborate closely with clients to design and implement customised mixing solutions.
“Our comprehensive industry knowledge and technical proficiency ensure that each project meets the highest quality and performance standards,” Seal said.
“Hayward Gordon-branded mixers and agitators are available locally through EBARA Pumps Australia, offering local knowledge and experienced engineers backed by global support.”
EBARA HG prioritises sustainability and innovation across all products and operations. The company’s large agitators are designed for energy efficiency and durability, reducing environmental impact while ensuring long-term reliability.
Continual investment in research and development helps to keep EBARA HG at the forefront of technology in the mineral processing industry.
