2827
NovaCell™—Technology to Meet the World’s Future
Copper Demands
S. Morgan
NovaCell™, Jord International Pty Limited
G.J. Jameson
Laureate Professor, Centre for Multiphase Processes, University of Newcastle
L. Cooper
Flotation, Jord International Pty Limited
ABSTRACT: The NovaCell™ is a novel flotation device that improves recovery efficiencies across all size
fractions, whilst also targeting lower energy and water consumption in mining. Invented by Laureate Professor
Graeme Jameson, it can recover coarse and fine valuable particles that conventional flotation technologies,
like mechanically agitated flotation machines, typically miss. Implemented in coarse particle flotation (CPF)
applications, it has the potential to increase revenues at existing copper mines and significantly improve
efficiencies across the entire concentrator plant for new copper mines.
Jord International Pty Ltd (Jord) has the global exclusive rights to commercialize the NovaCell ™ technology
and has investigated the technology benefits across various porphyry copper deposits. The paper discusses three
case studies, where the NovaCell ™ metallurgical performance has been compared to conventional flotation
technology. In case study 1, fresh run-of-mine (ROM) ore from Canada was investigated at the flotation feed
grind size (P80) of 350 µm. The NovaCell ™ obtained copper and molybdenum recovery improvements of 10%
and 17%, respectively. This would enable a 11% higher throughput rate to be targeted consistently, with the
potential revenue increase estimated to be ~$97 million USD /year. In case study 2, a plant tailings sample
from Chile was investigated at the flotation feed grind size (P80) of 200 µm. The NovaCell ™ obtained a copper
recovery improvement of 4%, suggesting a potential revenue increase of ~$40 million USD /year. Finally in
case study 3 a fresh feed ore from Australia was investigated at a flotation feed grind size (P80) of 550 µm. A new
rock breakage system, targeting lower carbon emissions was used for preparation of the flotation feed.
In all three case studies, the NovaCell ™ consistently produced higher copper recoveries than conventional
flotation technology. This was most evident for the coarser size fractions. This paper highlights the benefits of
novel flotation technologies, like the NovaCell ™, to satisfy the growing demand for copper, whilst also reducing
carbon emissions produced through mining.
NovaCell™—Technology to Meet the World’s Future
Copper Demands
S. Morgan
NovaCell™, Jord International Pty Limited
G.J. Jameson
Laureate Professor, Centre for Multiphase Processes, University of Newcastle
L. Cooper
Flotation, Jord International Pty Limited
ABSTRACT: The NovaCell™ is a novel flotation device that improves recovery efficiencies across all size
fractions, whilst also targeting lower energy and water consumption in mining. Invented by Laureate Professor
Graeme Jameson, it can recover coarse and fine valuable particles that conventional flotation technologies,
like mechanically agitated flotation machines, typically miss. Implemented in coarse particle flotation (CPF)
applications, it has the potential to increase revenues at existing copper mines and significantly improve
efficiencies across the entire concentrator plant for new copper mines.
Jord International Pty Ltd (Jord) has the global exclusive rights to commercialize the NovaCell ™ technology
and has investigated the technology benefits across various porphyry copper deposits. The paper discusses three
case studies, where the NovaCell ™ metallurgical performance has been compared to conventional flotation
technology. In case study 1, fresh run-of-mine (ROM) ore from Canada was investigated at the flotation feed
grind size (P80) of 350 µm. The NovaCell ™ obtained copper and molybdenum recovery improvements of 10%
and 17%, respectively. This would enable a 11% higher throughput rate to be targeted consistently, with the
potential revenue increase estimated to be ~$97 million USD /year. In case study 2, a plant tailings sample
from Chile was investigated at the flotation feed grind size (P80) of 200 µm. The NovaCell ™ obtained a copper
recovery improvement of 4%, suggesting a potential revenue increase of ~$40 million USD /year. Finally in
case study 3 a fresh feed ore from Australia was investigated at a flotation feed grind size (P80) of 550 µm. A new
rock breakage system, targeting lower carbon emissions was used for preparation of the flotation feed.
In all three case studies, the NovaCell ™ consistently produced higher copper recoveries than conventional
flotation technology. This was most evident for the coarser size fractions. This paper highlights the benefits of
novel flotation technologies, like the NovaCell ™, to satisfy the growing demand for copper, whilst also reducing
carbon emissions produced through mining.