Job Descriptions - Definitions - Career Fields: Extraction metallurgist
 

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Extraction metallurgist

Extraction Metallurgists or Mineral Processing Engineers are concerned with the concentration of valuable minerals and with primary metal production. During concentration, the metallurgical concentrator or processing plant receives broken ore from the mining department. The ore is crushed and milled to reduce it to a size where valuable mineral components are released and become individual grains among the other less- valuable ore particles. The mineral mixture is now ready for concentration.
A variety of processes exist, and these take advantage of the physical and chemical properties of the minerals. One, or a combination of processes will be selected to separate the valuable minerals, with the rest of the ore being deposited on waste dumps or in tailings dams, depending on the size to which the ore has been milled. Concentrated industrial minerals such as soda ash or phosphate, or precious/semi-precious gem products such as diamond, tiger's eye or garnet obtained from the extraction process are then sold. Metalliferous minerals require further treatment such as smelting to reduce them to the required metal.

Extraction Metallurgists need to have knowledge of a variety of mineral processing operations, and work closely with geologists and engineers to determine not only the correct treatment route for the mineral, but also to design a processing plant that is efficient and economical to run. Production metallurgists are experts on the treatment process for which they are responsible, and must manage their workforce to ensure the smooth operation of the metallurgical plant.


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Earth Sciences

 

Courtesy: CareerExpo

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