Recognized as a world-class organization, COREM provides a wide range of mineral processing and analytical services to companies that explore and develop ore bodies and transform or recycle mineral substances. Its highly qualified staff of more than 120 employees is able to carry out the most complex research projects, complete flow sheet development, pilot testing and ore characterisation for its members and all mining companies worldwide.
Areas of expertise
https://www.corem.qc.ca/en/pre-competitive-research-iron-ore-base-precious-metal
https://www.corem.qc.ca/en/expertise-services-ore-processing-pilot-plant
- Comminution
- Physical separation
- Flotation
- Extractive metallurgy
- Pelletizing and thermal processes (iron ore induration, calcination, roasting, etc.)
- Mineralogy
Substances:
- Precious metals – gold, silver, platinum group metals
- Base metals – copper, cobalt, lead, zinc, molybdenum, manganese
- Iron ore – hematite, magnetite, goethite, taconite
- Titaniferrous and ilmenite ores
- Nickel ores
- Rare earth and other exotic minerals
- Mineral sands
- Industrial minerals
Specialized services
Analytical Services Laboratory (ASL):
- Major, minor and trace element assays in various mineral matrices as well as the analysis of several parameters in liquid samples
- ISO/IEC 17025: 2005 accredited
Gold Processing:
- Detailed mineralogical studies in order to evaluate a number of key geological parameters such as the identification of gold-bearing matrices, their associations, the liberation mesh of metals of interest, etc.
Mineralogy:
- Full range of ore mineral characterization
Unique equipment
Complete list is available here:
https://www.corem.qc.ca/files/documents/cp/c3/prospectus-eng-avril-2016.pdf
Comminution:
- AG/SAG mills 6 ft x 2 ft
- Jaw, cone and roll crushers
- Rod, ball and pebble mills (12 in. x 12 in. to 30 in. x 60 in.)
- HPGR (800 mm x 250 mm)
Physical Separation:
- Spirals
- Enhanced gravity separators: Falcon and Knelson multigravity separators (MGS)
- Hindered settlers: CFS 8 in. x8 in. and 15 in. x 15 in., Floatex 18 in, x18 in, Hydrosizer, Reflux Classifier (pilot scale)
- Magnetic separators
Flotation:
- Denver flotation cells (1.5 to 10 L)
- Magotteaux flotation cells (1.5, 2.5 and 5 L)
- Semi-industrial flotation banks (8 to 250 L)
- Instrumented flotation columns (25 ft x 2, 4, 6 in. and 16 ft x 12 in.)
Pelletizing and Thermal Processes:
- 0.5 m and 1 m diameter pelletizing disk (~ 500 kg/h iron ore)
- Roller deck screen
- Firing simulators for travelling grate and grate-kiln processes (pot-grate, pot-grate/rotary-kiln)
- Eirich mixer (micropelletizing)
- Continuous rotary kiln (0.4 m diameter by 4.8 m length)
Extractive Metallurgy:
- 2 to 2,000 L reactors
- 1 L autoclave
- Pressure filter and vacuum filter (horizontal and vertical)
- Resin columns
Mineralogy:
- Mineral Liberation Analyser (MLA-FEG)
- Scanning Electron Microscope (Hitachi S-3000N)
Key Research Priorities
Comminution Active
Projects aiming to optimize ore grinding conditions to obtain liberation and/or size distribution offering the greatest recovery during subsequent processing (flotation, physical separation, pelletizing and thermal processes) are being conducted in response to the industry’s requirements. These efforts include the development of simulators and on-line measuring and monitoring tools (sensors, software).
Key Topic(s)
Material characteristics, grinding circuit operation, alternative process
Partners & Collaborators
Major mining companies, equipment suppliers
Benefits
- Value minerals recovery increase
- Opex reduction
- Tonnage increase
Physical Separation Active
Work aims to intensify initiatives targeting the evaluation and introduction of new technologies that could be used alone or in combination. This encompasses improved spiral performance, new gravity separators that are more effective in recovering fines and monitoring of gravity recoverable gold.
Key Topic(s)
Material characteristics, physical separation circuit operation, alternative process
Partners & Collaborators
Major mining companies, equipment suppliers, Université Laval
Benefits
- Product quality increase
- Value minerals recovery increase
Flotation Active
Projects are conducted to develop alternative solutions and equipment for flotation in order to increase the recovery of fine particles. Also, focus is set on on-line monitoring and hydrodynamic optimization of machinery and flotation circuits. Considerations related to sustainable development and the supply of fresh water and water management at mine sites emphasize the need to understand process water chemistry and to control the “water-reagents-solids” interactions.
Key Topic(s)
Hydrodynamics, chemistry, flotation circuit operation, water
Partners & Collaborators
Major mining companies, Reagent suppliers, McGill University, Amira, University of Western Ontario
Benefits
- Product quality increase
- Value minerals recovery increase
Extractive Metallurgy Active
Extractive metallurgy projects are conducted to address matrices of varying complexity for the separation and concentration of a multitude of elements, ranging from base metals, light metals, precious metals to other common metals. Hydrometallurgical processes such as atmospheric or pressure leaching of all kinds of matrices and recovering metals by varied processes such as adsorption, cementation, solvent or resin extraction and crystallization are an integral part of those research activities.
Key Topic(s)
Adverse reactions, leaching, recuperation, alternative process
Partners & Collaborators
Major mining companies
Benefits
- Value minerals recovery increase
- Mine life increase
Pelletizing and Thermal Processes Active
Principles of the various steps in the iron ore pelletizing process (agglomeration mechanisms), roller screening, induration furnace bed permeability, drying mechanisms and the study of reactions occurring inside the pellets are studied. Focus is particularly put on issues related to the environment and to sustainable development, which are especially important to users of thermal processes. These issues mainly concern increasing productivity, reducing energy consumption and reducing greenhouse gas emissions (CO2, NOx, SOx, etc.).
Key Topic(s)
Agglomeration, energy consumption, product quality, alternative process
Partners & Collaborators
Major mining companies, equipment suppliers
Benefits
- Product quality increase
- Opex reduction
- Tonnage increase
Key Projects, Programs and Initiatives
NRCan Rare Earth Elements and Chromite R&D Program Active
The Canadian rare earth element (REE) and chromite R&D program emphasizes the need to develop, de-risk and demonstrate the technologies required to establish these industries and bring their products to market. Further, technologies will be developed and assessed hand-in-hand with environmental impacts, with a strict goal of establishing methods that minimize environmental impacts and establish appropriate methodologies to manage them.
Additional Information:
Benefits
- Developing the next generation of Canadian professionals in the REE and chromite industry
- Improve the productivity and competitiveness of Canadian mines
- Establishment of Canadian rare earth and chromite industries
Areas of focus
Improved process efficiencies, economic and market analyses to inform technology directions that should be addressed, laboratory and pilot-scale testing facilities, technical reports and publications, engaged and informed REE and chromite stakeholder communities, high quality personnel (HQP) trained, and new processes developed and evaluated.
Partners & Collaborators
REE and chromite industry, Canadian universities, service providers, provincial government, NGO’s, and civil society