Past News Page

This page is a summary of recent (and some not so recent) SACPS activities.

26 January 2012 - The topic for discussion on this afternoon was dewatering of ultra-fine coal. Matt S. Fenzel of the Phoenix Process Equipment Company in Louisville, Kentucky, gave an update on the performance of the Phoenix filter at the Kiepersol plant. This was followed by Jacques Mik of Anglo Thermal Coal who presented an interesting comparison between the TH and Lasta filters at Phola Plant. Refreshments were sponsored by Malvern Engineering.

24 November 2011 - Two very interesting presentations on on-line analysis were presented. The first presentation was entitled “An Update of On-Line quality monitoring at Eskom” and was presented by Keith Buttemer (Scanmin) This was followed by “Evaluation of online XRF analyzer on Highveld coal”  which was presented by Lesego Moitsheki (Sasol). The refreshments enjoyed afterwards were jointly sponsored by Scantech and Scanmin.

29 September 2011 - The presentations for the afternoon were “Yield Optimization at ATCOM Plant” presented by Vicky van Schalkwyk (Xstrata Coal). This was followed by “Briquetting Coal Fines and Slurry for Profit” which was presented by David Hume (Coal 2 Char cc). Noko Analytical Services proudly sponsored the refreshments which followed a lively discussion.

28 July 2011 - Two very interesting topics were presented: “The Phoenix Belt Filter” which was presented by Kobus du Plessis of Malvern Engineering and this was followed by “Stockpile Discharger (SPD) & Coal Valve or Feeder Combinations” presented by Shawn Faba of Ludowici. Malvern Engineering and Ludowici co-sponsored the snacks.

26 May 2011 - The topic for discussion was "Dry processing". Fabian Riedel of CommodasUltrasort (Pty) Ltd. gave a presentation entitled “Dry Coal De-Stoning by X-Ray Transmission Sorting” and this was followed by an overview of the operation of the FGX Plant at Middelkraal Colliery entitled "Dry beneficiation of raw coal with the FGX 24A" presented by Rory Power of Xantium. Isambane Processing (Pty) Ltd. kindly sponsored the refreshments.

31 March 2011 - The AGM was held on this afternoon and our new chairman, Mark Cresswell, started his tenure. The AGM was followed by two presentations on the topic of large diameter dense medium cyclones. Ian du Plessis of Multotec gave a presentation entitled "Knowledge gems from Australia" and this was followed by a presentation by Jeremy Bosman with the title "Dense medium cyclone capacities".

27 January 2011 - The topic for the afternoon was "Dry screening". Johan de Korte explained why dry screening of damp coal was so difficult and Josef Martin of Dabmar Manufacturing gave an overview of the operation and technical aspects of the Bivitec screen. Dabmar kindly sponsored the refreshments.

25 November 2010 - A talk entitled “Competent Persons and the Imminent Regulation of the Metallurgical Profession” was presented by Dirk J van Niekerk of Siyazi Consultants. Dirk's presentations can be downloaded here.

23 September 2010 - Guy Turner of Martin & Robson Industrial Minerals gave an overview of the magnetite milling plant put into operation at Broodsnyersplaas to ensure that the coal processing industry has a secure supply of magnetite available. This was followed by a joint presentation by Vicky van Schalkwyk of Anglo Coal and Arshad Nabbie of Debtech-De Beers on the new non-nuclear density meter developed by Debtech and under evaluation at Greenside Colliery. Martin & Robson sponsored the eats and drinks enjoyed after the meeting.

29 July 2010 - The topic under discussion was water with two very good presentations - Solly Motaung (CSIR) spoke on Acid mine drainage treatment processes followed by a talk on  Inyanda’s corrosion experience
presented by Norman Malatji of Exxaro.

27 May 2010 - A busy afternoon with the following presentations: “Coal stockpile fire monitor” presented by Gavin Westley of Protea Automation Solutions, “Enviro Coal briquettes” presented by Braam Ehlers and “Feedback from the ICPC held in Lexington” by David Power and Mark Cresswell. Snacks and drinks were sponsored by Protea Automation Solutions.

25 March 2010 - Our first Annual General Meeting as a Section 21 Company was held. The AGM was followed by a presentation entitled “Mozambique and its process challenges” by Steve van Barneveld of Sedgman (Australia). Sedgman also kindly sponsored the refreshments.
 

28 January 2010 - The topic for the first meeting in 2010 was "on-line coal analysis" An overview of the Bretby Gammatech Coal quality monitors was given by Alan Cooke of Bretby Gammatech (UK). This was followed by a presentation on the “NITA analyzer” by Keith Buttemer of ScanMin Africa. Final word belonged to Michael Edwards of Scantech (Australia) whose presentation was entitled “A Range of Online Analyzer Applications”. Pinnacle Instruments and ScanMin Africa co-sponsored the refreshments.

26 November 2009 - Bongani Mzotho of New Vaal and Ferdie Breedt of Grootegeluk gave account of how they manage to process coal at high relative densities (1.85 at New Vaal and 2.0 at Grootegeluk). The SACPS sponsored the refreshments.

8, 9 and 10 September 2009 - SACPS Conference "Coal - Powering the Future" held in Secunda.

30 July 2009 - The topic under discussion was "Spirals, TBS or both?" Dean Lincoln of Multotec presented the case for spirals, followed by Peter Hand of QVA stating the benefits of the TBS. Maynard Lombard of Anglo Coal presented an overview of the successful implementation at Navigation Colliery of a combined TBS/spiral circuit. QVS kindly sponsored the refreshments enjoyed afterwards.

28 May 2009 - Johan Engelbrecht from Multotec gave an informed overview of the parameters that influence the performance of dense-medium cyclones. This was followed by Neo Kgatuke of Exxaro who gave a recount of his trip to Australia to assess the performance and economics of large diameter cyclones. Multotec kindly sponsored the eats and drinks.

26 March 2009 - The Annual General Meeting of the Society was held and Gerrit Lok, as the new chairman, took over the reins from Mike Hayton. The AGM was followed by a presentation on pumps by Jim Jones from Metso U.K. and Europe Office. Metso kindly sponsored the refreshments.

15 January 2009 - An overview of Coal Preparation Research Work Conducted by Coaltech was presented by David Power of Anglo Coal (Chairman of Coaltech Coal Preparation Sub-Committee). This was followed by a presentation on dry beneficiation of coal Johan de Korte (CSIR).

30 October 2008 - David Peatfield of DMPConsulting gave a presentation entitled "Feedback Report from the Minerals Engineering Society 50th Anniversary". This was followed by an overview of the new Mafube Coal Preparation Plant Presented by Gideon Mpunga (Plant Superintendent of Mafube).

28 August 2008 - Steve Evans of Prosep Chemicals gave an overview of the new 'Baleen Filter', used for micro screening. Bongani Mzotho of Anglo Coal thereafter presented the results obtained from testing the Baleen Filter at New Vaal Colliery. This was followed by a presentation by Mark Whitter of Exxaro on the performance of the bivi-TEC screen which has been in operation at New Clydesdale Colliery for almost a year now. Prosep Chemicals sponsored the refreshments enjoyed by all after the meeting.

26 June 2008 - Keith Buttemer of ScanMin Africa (Pty) Ltd. gave an excellent presentation on the NITA analyzer. Scanmin kindly sponsored the refreshments enjoyed afterwards.

30 May 2008 - 40th Anniversary Dinner/ Dance held at the Sandton Convention Centre. More detail about the dinner as well as photo's of the award winners available.

22 May 2008 - A historic day for the Society as the first AGM of the new combined SACPS is held. The previous Central and Witbank branches are now amalgamated. Mike Hayton was elected as chairman for the next year and Gerrit Lok as vice-chairman. The AGM was followed by a presentation on plant efficiency testing by Johan de Korte. 

24 April 2008 - Dirk de Klerk of Seprotech presented a talk on the Ishigaki Filter Press. This was followed by a talk entitled ' Filter press operation at Goedehoop Colliery' presented by Hannes Esterhuizen of Anglo Coal.

21 February 2008 - Clive Hart (DRA/Minopex) spoke on "Capital and Operating Costs of Coal Preparation Plants". This was followed by Lydia van der Merwe (Total Coal SA) who gave a very good user's perspective entitled "Outsourcing the Operation of a Coal Processing Facility". DRA/Minopex kindly sponsored the refreshments.

28 November 2007 - Clive Hart of DRA gave an authoritative presentation on capital and operating costs of coal prep plants which was followed by a spirited discussion. (This was the last regular technical meeting held in Johannesburg. As from 2008, the technical meetings are to be held in Witbank).

11 - 13 September 2007 - SA Coal Processing Society International Coal Conference "Coal Processing in a Changing World" (Held in conjunction with the Pittsburgh International Coal Conference at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg) 

25 July 2007 - Jakes Jacobs of Xstrata Coal presented a talk on the concept of using a Tri-Flo Separator
to process discards.

30 May 2007 - Keith Buttemer of ScanMin Africa (Pty) Ltd. gave a presentation on the different types of on-line quality monitor technologies available. ScanMin Africa also sponsored the refreshments.

28 March 2007 - Dirk Dekker of Exxaro gave a very interesting overview of inland coal marketing. A lively discussion followed his presentation.

31 January 2007 - Anthony Yell of Multotec spoke about the difficulties of dry-screening coal at small apertures. Multotec sponsored the refreshments enjoyed after the meeting.

29 November 2006 -  Dr. Quentin Campbell from North-West University presented a talk entitled "Fine coal dewatering: should we try something different?". This was followed by Rein Buisman from Particle Separation Systems (PSS) who gave a talk entitled “Ultra Fine Coal from pulp to 10 % dry using Steel Belt Drying Technology. PSS kindly sponsored the refreshments enjoyed afterwards.

27 September 2006 -  Mark Cresswell and Clive Hart of DRA presented the results of a study aimed at deciding whether to use drums or large cyclones for the processing of coarse coal. A lively debate followed the presentation. DRA sponsored the refreshments after the meeting.

26 July 2006 -  Val Korzynski and Silviu Mihai of Linatex presented a thought-provoking overview on vibrating screens. Linatex kindly sponsored the refreshments enjoyed after the meeting.

24 May 2006 -  Technical Colloquium in Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal. Several very good presentations were given on this day. The presentations are available for download.

2 May 2006 -  Presentation on ECSA registration requirements by Lampies Lamprecht of Anglo Coal Project Services. The presentation given by Lampies is available for download.

29 March 2006 -  Annual General Meeting + Presentation by Zelmia Oppel of Kumba Resources on the new Batac Jig at Leeuwpan. A lively discussion followed the presentation - enough to bring tears to the eyes of certain members of the audience.

25 January 2006 -  Bea du Toit of Bateman presented a paper entitled “Characterization of static screens for dewatering and dense medium applications”. Bateman kindly sponsored the refreshments enjoyed after the meeting.

30 November 2005 -  Lutke Von Ketelhodt gave a very good presentation on the MikroSort Optical Sorting Technology.

14, 15 & 16 September 2005 -   SACPS Conference held at the Graceland Hotel, Casino and Country Club in Secunda. By all accounts, a very successful conference.

27 July 2005 -   Dave Michael gave a very informative overview of the Moatize Project in Mozambique. This was followed by an interesting review by Mark Cresswell of his visits to coal mines (and places where coal was thought to be) in three countries in Africa. The snacks enjoyed after the meeting were kindly sponsored by DRA.

25 May 2005 -   Koos de Beer of Sasol  presented a talk on a sampling exercise carried out at Sasol ‘s mines in Secunda to measure the size grading of ROM coal. Gerrit Lok of Multotec presented a talk on the pitfalls of data interpretation.

6 April 2005 -   Annual General Meeting followed by Jeremy Bosman presenting an interesting overview of the history of dense-medium cyclones entitled " Dense Medium Cyclones - The Evolution of a Revolution"

2 March 2005 -  Ernst Frohnwieser of Andritz AG (Austria) reviewed the advantages of dewatering flotation concentrate with a combination of screenbowl centrifuges and hyperbaric filters. Refreshments afterwards were sponsored by Andritz.

27 January 2005 -  Terence Osborn, Senior Technical Sales Consultant at Larox presented a talk on the Larox Membrane Filter Press, used for the dewatering of ultra-fine coal. Thierry Johannes, General Manager Drytech, gave an overview of thermal drying of fine and ultra-fine coal. Refreshments were sponsored by Larox.

25 November 2004 -  Mike Flanagan of Magnapower reviewed the history of magnetic separation in the minerals industry in South Africa. Wolf H. Schütte of Shumar Engineering presented a summary of the various crusher types and discussed Double Roll crushers in more detail. Magnapower sponsored the refreshments.

30 September 2004 -  Dirk Swartz, Senior Process Engineer of Joest, presented a talk on screening dynamics and screen selection. This presentation was a condensed version of the Joest half-day screen seminar. Anthony Yell of Multotec then present a talk on new developments in screen panels. Joest and Multotec jointly sponsored the refreshments.

29 July 2004 -  Gerrit Lok of Multotec gave a very interesting talk on the spigot capacities of dense medium cyclones. Alex Mpoepadira, Senior Plant Metallurgist from Greenside Colliery, presented an overview of testwork carried out at Greenside with the Triflo unit. A very lively discussion followed the presentations. Multotec sponsored the eats and drinks enjoyed by all after the meeting.

27 May 2004 -  Wally du Toit of Magra Process presented an overview of the Magra ultra-sep thickener. Peter Newling from Petan Enterprises Pty Ltd (Australia) then talked about the status of coal preparation in Australia and explained how coal preparation research, carried out under ACARP, is managed and funded.  Magra Process sponsored the refreshments.

25 March 2004 -   Annual General Meeting. David Peatfield resigned from the committee after 20 years of dedicated service.The outgoing chairman, Mark Craddock, as well as the new chairman, Dave Tudor, thanked David for all his hard work and dedication over the years. Ricky Pinheiro was elected as a new committee member. Kobus du Plessis of Ludowici Malvern Engineering presented an overview of new developments in magnetic separation. Refreshments, sponsored by Ludowici Malvern Engineering, were enjoyed by all after the meeting. 

29 January 2004 -   Mr. Zeus Venter of Vipro explained how to overcome problems with vibrating motors in centrifuges. This was followed by an overview given by Mark Craddock on the use of Teeter Bed Separators for the beneficiation of fine coal. Arno Steinmüller of Multotec explained how to get the best performance out of spirals. Multotec sponsored the refreshments.

27 November 2003 -   Mr. B. Feltkamp of Andritz presented an overview of recent developments in centrifuge technology.  This was followed by Danie van Wyk of Mintek explaining how to determine washability data for coal, iron ore, chromite and many other minerals using a “Minerals Density Separator”. Refreshments after the meeting was sponsored by Andritz.

25 September 2003 -   David Horsfall Memorial Lecture. Dr. Tako de Jong from the Technical University of Delft in the Netherlands gave a very interesting overview of technologies that may be employed for the dry beneficiation and sorting of coal (and other minerals and materials). The Society sponsored the refreshments enjoyed after the meeting.

24 July 2003 -   Dan Steyn of Jig Mining presented a talk on the use of jigs to recover saleable coal from plant discards.  Jakes Jacobs of Xstrata Coal discussed the new Larcodems installed at Tavistock to re-wash discard coal. Jig Mining sponsored the refreshments.

22 May 2003 - Paul Masia gave a presentation on the flotation testwork done at Koornfontein with the Multotec Column, the Outokumpu Cells and the G Cell. Rein Buisman of Particle Separation System introduced a number of new concepts and types of equipment that will influence fine coal beneficiation and dewatering in the near future. The refreshments after the meeting was sponsored by Particle Separation Systems and Maelgwyn Mineral Services.

27 March 2003 - Annual General Meeting followed by two technical presentations. Peter Hand & Mark Craddock from QVA Process Technologies (Pty) Ltd. gave an overview of fine coal beneficiation using the TBS / hydrosizer. Albrecht Truter (Micron Scientific) then gave a presentation on the determination of particle size consist with laser techniques.

23 January 2003 - Adrian Hinde (Mintek), Stephan Opperman (Goedehoop) and Andries Maoka (Optimum) gave excellent overviews of work done to date on the Kroosh Ultimate Screener. Their presentations are available on request from J de Korte.

5 November 2002 - David Horsfall Memorial Lecture. Peter Holtham of the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre gave an overview of coal research in Australia. He also showed that new technology is being used to improve the canal system in the UK - something that was close to David Horsfall's heart. (Peter's presentation is available on request)

22 August 2002 - Pieter de Rooy of Martin & Robson presented a talk on Magnetite and the long-term supply outlook for magnetite. Carl Bergman of Mintek gave a very interesting overview of testwork done on the "Yang Jig" at Mintek. Download Carl's presentation.

27 June 2002 - Koos Vermeulen of Krebs Engineers gave an overview of the Krebs Milmax pump. Johann Grobler of Kumba Resources gave a very interesting talk on the application of the Larcodems at Sishen. Johann's presentation can be downloaded. 

25 April 2002 - Multotec Day hosted by the Witbank branch. Talks were given by Spike Taylor, Anton vermeulen, Jeremy Bosman, Johan Engelbrecht, Horst Schulte and Ken Tuckey. See photographs taken on the day.

18 April 2002 - Annual General Meeting. David Brennan of SCMB Securities gave a very informative talk on the role of coal in the investment market.

11 - 14 March 2002 - XIV ICPC at the Sandton Convention Centre.

25 October 2001 - Stuart Turner of Consulmet presented a very interesting overview of the Falcon concentrator and it's application in the beneficiation of fine coal. This was followed by a talk on the revolutionary Kroosher screening technology given by Fedor Schiefer. 

23 August 2001 - Central branch technical meeting. A very insightfull talk was given by Peter Hand on the capabilities of Excel as a plant simulation and modelling tool. A copy of the Excel sheets Peter used can be downloaded. Johan de Korte presented some information on yield loss in plants. Refreshments were sponsored by CSIR Miningtek.

21 June 2001 - Central branch technical meeting (and also a spectacular solar eclipse but the latter not organised by the SACPS).

Talks were given on samplers and sampling by Steve Labram of Thermo Ramsey (who also kindly sponsored the refreshments) and by Ricky Pinheiro from Afriore on the new ISO 13909 sampling standard. Ricky's presentation is available for download. 

7 June 2001 - Witbank branch technical meeting. Jannie Maree (CSIR), P. Gunther (Anglo Coal) and F. Mare (Francois Mare and Associates) gave informative talks on the work done to minimise the impact that mining and processing has on the environment. This was followed by a talk on the capabilities of Coal and Minerals Technology (formerly SABS laboratories) given by A Ellis. Coal and Minerals Technology sponsored the refreshments. 

5 April 2001 - AGM and technical meeting held at 'The Barns'. Following the formalities, Rein Buisman gave a  presentation on the Pansep Screen.  David Maddison of IMS Engineering  then gave a presentation on the OmniScreen

9 March 2001 - The annual dinner was held this year at the Sandton Sun. As always, it was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone present. Thanks to Dave Tudor and Linda van Heerden for organizing the event.

14 February 2001 - Colloquium held in the Witbank Civic Centre. Visiting members of the IOC gave excellent feedback on the status of coal prep in their respective countries. The Witbank branch organised the day and did a great job.

26 October 2000 - Kobus Sutherland from Highveld Steel gave a very interesting overview of the importance of coal properties in steelmaking. Johan Grobler then presented the Iscor perspective on coal use and coal requirements. This was followed by David Moon from Nordberg who presented some new insights into screening.

The Witbank branch also had a meeting on this day at which Malvern Engineering gave an overview of new processing equipment.

29 August 2000 - Pawel Wuzyk presented an excellent overview of coal in the Sasol context. A copy of Pawel's presentation can be downloaded here.

David Wiseman, the author of LIMN, gave a very interesting presentation on "Limn: The Flowsheet Processor".

6 July 2000 - The use and the importance of coal at Eskom was presented by Mike Daly. Some of the pioneering research being carried out by TSI was also highlighted.