SRC opens mineral processing plant

The Saskatchewan Research Council’s (SRC) new mineral processing pilot plant in Saskatoon is now up and running.

The pilot plant, announced in the fall of 2012, will support the development and demonstration of new and improved methods for processing minerals such as potash, uranium, gold, base metals, coal, oilsands and oil shale.

It is also one of the few centres in Canada with an emphasis on rare earth minerals. It is hoped by enabling the pilot-scale demonstration of new technologies, it will be able to assist companies increase mining yields and decrease associated costs.

The pilot plant, coupled with SRC’s existing mineral processing expertise, laboratory and testing facilities, including a new Quantitative Evaluation of Minerals by SCANning electron microscopy (QEMSCAN) service, allows mining companies to access a full range of mineral processing services.

The plant adjoins SRC’s diamond facilities and Pipe Flow Technology Centre. Operating at a throughput capacity of about two metric tonnes per day, the plant can process 400-500 metric tonnes per year for multiple clients and projects.

“The response we have received to this pilot plant has been encouraging and we are pleased to be able to offer these much-needed services to the mining industry not only here in Saskatchewan but in Canada and internationally,” said SRC president and CEO Dr. Laurier Schramm.

Funding of $1.27 million was provided through the Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement, with SRC providing $930,000 toward the project.