Belgium is not a major hub for gold mineral processing, but it does have a presence in the equipment and technology sector related to mineral processing. Companies in Belgium may supply equipment or technologies used in gold mining and processing, such as crushers, mills, flotation cells, and filtration systems. Here are some key aspects of equipment used in gold mineral processing that could be sourced or supported by Belgian companies:
1. Crushing and Grinding Equipment
– Jaw Crushers: Used for primary crushing of gold ore.
– Cone Crushers: For secondary and tertiary crushing.
– Ball Mills and SAG Mills: For grinding the ore into fine particles.
2. Gravity Separation Equipment
– Shaking Tables: Used to separate gold from other minerals based on density.
– Centrifugal Concentrators: For recovering fine gold particles.
3. Flotation Equipment
– Flotation Cells: Used to separate gold from sulfide ores by creating froth to which the gold adheres.
4. Leaching Equipment
– CIL (Carbon-in-Leach) Tanks: Used in the cyanidation process to dissolve gold from the ore.
– Heap Leach Pads: For low-grade ores where cyanide solution is percolated through the ore heap.
5. Filtration and Dewatering Equipment
– Filter Presses: To remove water from the slurry after leaching.
– Thickeners: To concentrate the slurry before filtration.
6. Smelting and Refining Equipment
– Furnaces: For smelting gold concentrate into doré bars.
– Electrolytic Cells: For refining gold to high purity.
7. Automation and Control Systems
– Belgian companies may provide advanced control systems for optimizing mineral processing operations.
Belgian Companies Involved in Mineral Processing
While Belgium is not a major mining country, it has companies that specialize in engineering, equipment supply, and technology for mineral processing:
– Magotteaux: A global leader in high-performance wear-resistant solutions for grinding mills and crushers.
– FLSmidth (Belgium branch): Provides equipment and services for the mining industry, including gold processing.
– Metso Outotec (local partners): Offers a range of mineral processing equipment.
Research and Development
Belgium has universities and research institutions that may