270 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
traversing the particles and notably passing through light-
colored minerals, which are indicative of sulfides in the
ore. Figure 14 displays three different particles exhibiting
a higher crack density, signifying the occurrence of internal
damage. This evidence suggests that the HVP processing
effectively induces pre-weakening in the ore particles.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The preliminary proof-of-concept discussed in this paper
originates from the High Voltage Pulse Collaborative
Research Program at the JKMRC. This collaborative effort
involves partnerships between research institutions and
industry stakeholders with the shared objective of
advancing High Voltage Pulse (HVP) technology for appli-
cation in the mining sector.
Currently, the technology is positioned at Technology
Readiness Levels (TRL) 3–4 and is approaching a critical
phase commonly referred to as the innovation “valley of
death”. The “valley of death” represents a challenging stage
in technology development, typically occurring between
TRL 4 and 6, where promising innovations encounter sig-
nificant obstacles in transitioning from the research and
development phase to commercialization. During this
phase, technologies often face funding gaps, market uncer-
tainties, and regulatory hurdles, impeding their progres-
sion toward widespread adoption. This phase is depicted
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
0 20 40 60 80 100
Cum mass Recovery (%)
Grade Heterogeneity
Final Pre-concentration
Previous batch test
Figure 13. Copper pre-concentration performance of the initial tests of the experimental plan
Figure 14. Computed X-ray tomography of particles from the concentrate product indicating the occurrence of micro-crack
formation within the rocks
Cum
Cu
R
ecover y
(
traversing the particles and notably passing through light-
colored minerals, which are indicative of sulfides in the
ore. Figure 14 displays three different particles exhibiting
a higher crack density, signifying the occurrence of internal
damage. This evidence suggests that the HVP processing
effectively induces pre-weakening in the ore particles.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The preliminary proof-of-concept discussed in this paper
originates from the High Voltage Pulse Collaborative
Research Program at the JKMRC. This collaborative effort
involves partnerships between research institutions and
industry stakeholders with the shared objective of
advancing High Voltage Pulse (HVP) technology for appli-
cation in the mining sector.
Currently, the technology is positioned at Technology
Readiness Levels (TRL) 3–4 and is approaching a critical
phase commonly referred to as the innovation “valley of
death”. The “valley of death” represents a challenging stage
in technology development, typically occurring between
TRL 4 and 6, where promising innovations encounter sig-
nificant obstacles in transitioning from the research and
development phase to commercialization. During this
phase, technologies often face funding gaps, market uncer-
tainties, and regulatory hurdles, impeding their progres-
sion toward widespread adoption. This phase is depicted
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
0 20 40 60 80 100
Cum mass Recovery (%)
Grade Heterogeneity
Final Pre-concentration
Previous batch test
Figure 13. Copper pre-concentration performance of the initial tests of the experimental plan
Figure 14. Computed X-ray tomography of particles from the concentrate product indicating the occurrence of micro-crack
formation within the rocks
Cum
Cu
R
ecover y
(