Royal Visitor Introduced to State-of-the-art Mining Technology
Mine development technology “all under one roof”
The Duke of Kent recently officially opened the Wheal Jane Earth Science Park in Cornwall. During the visit he took the opportunity to learn about mining focussed metallurgical testwork technology at Wardell Armstrong International (WAI).
“It was a great honour to play a part in hosting this royal visit,” said Phil Newall, Managing Director of Wardell Armstrong International.
“As well as learning from others something of the fascinating history of the site, His Royal Highness was able to see how the cutting-edge metallurgical testwork technology in our laboratories and modular pilot plant is helping mining companies around the world to optimise their product quality and recovery, and operate economically.”
Accompanied by other dignitaries including Colonel Bolitho, Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall and Lorrie Eathorne-Gibbons, Mayor of Truro, the Duke of Kent saw examples of Wheal Jane’s rare mineral specimens and 17th century mine plans during his visit.
Mining technology on view
In the WAI laboratories the Duke of Kent talked with Barrie O’Connell, principal mineral processing engineer, and saw state-of-the-art technology such as JK drop weight testing and SAGDesign™ semi-autogenous grinding equipment – part of the £500,000 investment made by Wardell Armstrong in mineral testing at its Truro facility over the past two years.
The main image (top) shows a small gravity separator set-up where a tungsten mineral (scheelite) was being separated from unwanted silica gangue minerals.
Benefits for mining clients
“Our in-house technology makes us unique in being able to carry out under one roof everything that our international clients need for mine development,” said Phil Newall.
“Our team of geologists, mining engineers, mineral processing engineers, mineralogists, chemists and environmental specialists can take care of everything from geological and environmental assessments to mineral processing testing and full feasibility studies.”
Wheal Jane Earth Science Park
The Science Park was previously an historical site of one of Cornwall’s many tin mines and has benefited from a £1.8 million regeneration project including ERDF Convergence funding.
The owners of Wheal Jane transforming the disused mine site into an environmentally pioneering earth science cluster by attracting international mining and minerals consultancies, harnessing renewable energy resources and creating a sustainable blueprint to boost the local economy.
