09. October 2018 – Christian Jan Heiner Wolterink

Day 2 of the IAM Rhineland field trip, or: What do gypsum rock and shrimp have in common?

First stop: Thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions AG in Beckum

Today, we started the second day of our field trip of the Institute of Mineral Processing Machines at the Thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions AG in Beckum. On-site, we received a brief introduction into the company’s R&D department for mineral processing by its head, Dr.-Ing. Falk Silbermann. He then reported on a new process, the so-called torrefaction, to roast biomass and biogenic waste – similar to the production of coffee – to make biochar by means of an energy self-sufficient process. To this end, wood pellets, straw and manufacturing waste (for instance from sugar production), green waste or organic waste, among other things, can be used.

During our tour of the R&D department’s technical center, we then learned how to test new raw materials for cement production on a pilot scale to ensure that the subsequently built aggregates and equipment perform perfectly for each and every customer in their respective application. Continue reading “Day 2 of the IAM Rhineland field trip, or: What do gypsum rock and shrimp have in common?”

08. October 2018 – Christian Jan Heiner Wolterink

Day 1 of the IAM Rhineland field trip, or: What do gummy bears and microphones for hard rock singers have in common?

Both make use of wire mesh of the medium-sized family business Haver & Boecker OHG in Oelde, founded in 1887!

On Monday, 08 October, our group of students and staff of the Institute of Mineral Processing Machines (IAM) visited the wire weaving division – one of the two business units of Haver & Boecker – in Oelde. After arriving from Freiberg, we received a warm welcome during a joint lunch by the company’s managing partner, Mr. Walter Haver, as well as Mr. Michael Stichling – responsible for the field of industrial wire screens.

A short presentation on its history and the current product portfolio was followed by an interesting tour of the company. Starting with the delivery and inspection of the wires, we were shown the complete manufacturing process of the 3,600 different specifications of wire mesh products. Haver & Boecker’s wire weaving division – also known as “Die Drahtweber” – produces precision fabrics out of wires between 15 μm and 6.3 mm in diameter in Oelde. 15 μm – i.e. 0.015 mm – is a much thinner diameter than the one of a human hair, which has a diameter of 0.04 – 0.1 mm! No wonder that Mr. Stichling did not immediately find the end of the wire on the spool 😉 Continue reading “Day 1 of the IAM Rhineland field trip, or: What do gummy bears and microphones for hard rock singers have in common?”

27. September 2018 – Christian Jan Heiner Wolterink

Current exploration results presented at the EUMICON 2018 in Vienna show Europe’s rich raw material deposits!

EUMICON Prof. Frank Melcher Leoben Montane University Prof. Jens Gutzmer HIF exploration raw materials Europe Institute of Mineral Processing Machines recycling TU Mining Academy Freiberg
Europe is rich in raw materials: Prof. Frank Melcher (Montane University Leoben) is showing a map displaying Europe’s potential in raw material deposits using the latest exploration results (click to enlarge)

“If you want to see an elephant, go where the elephants live”

With this little bit of witticism, Prof. Frank Melcher of the University of Leoben for Mining, Metallurgy and Materials opened his joint presentation with Prof. Jens Gutzmer from the Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology today on “Mineral Raw Materials from Europe for Europe – Europe’s Potential in Mineral Deposits” within the opening panel “Raw Materials Are the Future”. If one seeks to prospect new raw material deposits, one should start near old mines! Continue reading “Current exploration results presented at the EUMICON 2018 in Vienna show Europe’s rich raw material deposits!”

27. September 2018 – Christian Jan Heiner Wolterink

Day 2 of the EUMICON 2018 in Vienna: High increase in demand for primary raw materials through the use of advanced technologies for renewable energies

EUMICON Vienna Prof. Peter Moser renewable energies energy mix Institute of Mineral Processing Machines (IAM) TU Mining Academy Freiberg
Prof. Peter Moser is speaking at the EUMICON 2018 in Vienna: “The demand for raw materials will rapidly rise until 2050, caused mainly by the shift towards renewable energies” (click to enlarge)

“What is renewable in renewables? Just the wind and the sun.”

This is how Prof. Peter Moser, Vice Rector for Infrastructure and International Relations and Head of the Chair of Mining Engineering and Mineral Economics at the University of Leoben for Mining, Metallurgy and Materials, today answered his own question.

Solar cells, wind turbines, etc. must still be produced out of raw materials – and to a considerable extent from primary raw materials! The selection of materials required to this end is usually much more complex than it is the case with conventional power plants.

For the Rare Earth Elements (REE) and other important raw materials, large quantities of ores have to be mined and processed, often in conjunction with predatory nature exploitations due to the sometimes minute amounts in the ores. Continue reading “Day 2 of the EUMICON 2018 in Vienna: High increase in demand for primary raw materials through the use of advanced technologies for renewable energies”

26. September 2018 – Christian Jan Heiner Wolterink

Opening of the EUMICON International Raw Materials Conference 2018 in Vienna

EUMICOM Elisabeth Köstinger Institute of Mineral Processing Machines (IAM) raw materials recycling TU Mining Academy Freiberg
At the opening of the EUMICON 2018, Elisabeth Köstinger, Austrian Federal Minister of Sustainability and Tourism, points to the importance of a reliable and sustainable supply of raw materials within Europe (click to enlarge)

“Europe is rich in scarce resources”

With this key statement, Elisabeth Köstinger, Austrian Federal Minister of Sustainability and Tourism, today inaugurated the International Raw Materials Conference of the European Raw Materials Initiative EUMICON. Only with innovative technologies can Europe’s future demand for raw materials be secured without having to resort to imports from potentially conflict-laden regions of the world. The shift towards renewable energies in particular is a major driving force for the increasing global need for raw materials that implies a by no means inconsiderable potential for conflict!

At the EUMICON 2018 from 26 – 28 September in Vienna, approx. 250 renowned representatives from research, business, politics, as well as the raw materials and processing industry will speak on new solutions for a sustainable and responsible way of supplying raw materials within Europe, and the necessary processing technologies and machines to this end. Tomorrow, Prof. Dr. Jens Gutzmer, Director of the Helmholtz Institute for Resource Technologies, Freiberg, will give a lecture on the topic of “Mineral Raw Materials from Europe for Europe – Europe’s Potential in Mineral Deposits”.