ACG member travels to Chile

PhD student Ashlee Espinoza visits Santiago to learn about composite in the mining industry

In March 2019, Ashlee travelled to the Weir Group facilities in Santiago, Chile to learn about some of the challenges associated with current processing technology on mine sites. The Weir site in Santiago is responsible for the manufacturing of wear resistant lining (currently made of rubber and ceramics) for application in mill circuits.

Chile is home to a large percentage of the world’s copper mines. The conditions at the mines are a challenge for most materials, however heavy cast parts can result in difficult maintenance and safety hazards to workers. Ashlee’s project is looking at ways to incorporate light-weighting by use of polymer composite materials. She was able to see separation technology such as hydrocyclones (the focus of her project) operating in the mill circuits and understand the obstacles faced by redesigning the components. Her project is undertaking fundamental research into the wear mechanisms of composites under these conditions, a topic she will be presenting on at upcoming conferences. ACG is thankful for the opportunity to learn more about the potential for composites in this industry.