South32’s Hermosa to Install the Second Jameson Concentrator in North America

Media Release
Brisbane, Australia

South32’s Hermosa operation has placed orders to install a Jameson Concentrator by Glencore Technology for their lead zinc project. 

Glencore Technology’s Director of Growth and Solutions, Glenn Stieper, says the Jameson Concentrator came to be the best fit for purpose for four reasons.

First, the metallurgical performance of the Jameson Concentrator showed Hermosa would obtain what it needed and more.  Testing saw low losses of fines and a high concentrate grade.  “And because it’s not a new technology it’s low-risk,” said Stieper.

Second, the benchtop testwork reliably scales up to full-scale, eliminating the need for pilot testwork and further de-risking the option.

Third, the Jameson Concentrator needs minimal people and time to operate and maintain it  “We felt this would help South32 with their safety focus,” said Stieper.  “They have a guarantee that ‘everyone goes home safe and well’ and the Jameson Concentrator reduces hazardous tasks because it avoids lifting, confined spaces and excessive numbers of people and time on site for maintenance.”

Fourth is footprint.  The operation’s surface space is limited and the Jameson Concentrator configuration means 10 Jameson Cells replaced the alternative of about 22 ‘conventional’ flotation cells and only needs around 60% of the footprint.

Last, Glencore Technology projections showed that switching to Jameson Cells would deliver an energy saving of around 30% in the flotation section compared to a comparable tank cell circuit.  That translates to a significant advantage in ongoing costs and carbon impact.

Advanced detailed engineering and procurement is underway.  Construction starts in 2025, and commissioning will start in mid-2027.

“We expect this will be a very durable decision,” says Stieper.  “This is not just giving our client up-front wins.  It’s a decision for South32 that positions them as a progressive thinking company willing to embrace and drive positive change in the mining industry.”

End.

For further information, please contact:

Stephen Johnson
email: Marketing team