First Outotec HIGmills(TM) - getting ready for production

The Outotec HIGmill was added to the Outotec comminution portfolio in 2012, and the first HIGmill is included as part of the comminution package in a sulphides application for a customer project in Africa.

"HIGmills were selected to this project due to the fact that we are able to reduce the particle size significantly in one pass," states Jimmy Loucas, Outotec Manager for Grinding in the Sub-Saharan Africa region.

The HIGmill provides several unique advantages such as a low specific grinding energy (SGE) value combined with high power intensity, simple flow sheet with no recirculating loads, true flexibility in process variables and long maintenance intervals.

"We also conducted a trade off study, which indicated that the HIGmill would save money in terms of maintenance costs compared to the other two mills," Loucas adds. The delivery of the HIGmill will be effected in early 2014.

New features - the HIGmill mobile test unit available

To serve customers even better and to provide more data in the feasibility phase, Outotec has developed a HIGmill mobile test unit designated HIG 25. It is a small scale mill which simulates full size operations.

"It is of great benefit to have a mobile test unit in a transportable container ready for fast shipment. All documentation and certificates are according to industry standards, and the compact design makes it fast to install on-site and easy to operate. "All we have to do is transport the unit to the customer's site and plug-it in to the customer's operations," states Mattias Åstholm, HIGmill Technology Manager.

"The test unit functions as a part of a portable laboratory that includes testing equipment to handle samples at customer sites," Mattias continues.

The Outotec HIGmill has the following advantages:

• High energy efficiency;
• High energy intensity and vertical orientation
• Small footprint
• Low wear rates and easy maintenance
• Low operating cost, high availability
• Large installed power base up to 5,000kW
• Open circuit: no classifiers, simpler process

In the HIGmill technology Outotec co-operates with Swiss Tower Mills Minerals Ltd (www.stmminerals.com), who is an innovative company specialising in fine and ultra-fine grinding equipment and services in the mineral processing industry and  Outotec's exclusive technology partner for High Intensity Grinding Mills.

For more information, please visit
www.outotec.com

Contact us at grinding@outotec.com