Finally the time has come: The construction work for our two new bulk material boxes in the pilot plant of the IAM in a nearby quarry is over; now, nothing stands in the way of researching into new strategies for the processing of native complex ores as part of the AFK joint project! Continue reading “Topping-out ceremony in the pilot plant of the Institute of Mineral Processing Machines (IAM) in the quarry”

…especially if they are valuable Saxon ores! These contain high proportions of sulphides, cassiterite and fluorite minerals, which contain the economically important elements indium, copper, iron, tin and fluorine.

But how can these complex ores, which are demanding in their processing, be used in an economically and ecologically efficient manner? The AFK research project for the processing of fine-grained native complex ore deposits, of which the Institute of Mineral Processing Machines (IAM) of the TU Bergakademie Freiberg is a project partner, is currently working on this question. Continue reading “Even raw materials need a roof over their heads…”

Our Lego bricks in the form of concrete blocks might awake some fond childhood memories 😀 Yet they are a lot bigger and heavier! After all, two stable, new bulk material boxes are to be constructed for our pilot plant in order to store fine-grained complex ores!

The Institute of Mineral Processing Machines of the TU Bergakademie Freiberg participates as a partner in the AFK research project aimed at processing fine-grained native complex ore deposits. In particular, the already comprehensively developed deposits in the Western Ore Mountains are ideally suited for exploring new processing technologies for these complex, polymetallic ores, as their contents of the economically valuable elements zinc, tungsten, indium, fluorine and tin are particularly high.

However, there is still plenty of work to be done before the large-scale complex ore samples from the Tellerhäuser and Hämmerlein deposits can be safely stored in our test facility, since our concrete blocks cannot be put together quite as easily and quickly as Lego bricks 😉

For the processing of polymetallic complex ores within the framework of the AFK joint project, the pilot plant in the quarry of the Institute of Mineral Processing Machines (IAM) will receive two new bulk material boxes this week. The test materials used for the project come from the Tellerhäuser and Hämmerlein deposits in the Western Ore Mountains. With the help of the two boxes, the complex ores can be stored in a dry and space-saving way and are easier to pick up with the wheel loader to operate the processing machines.

The bulk material boxes are assembled from several concrete blocks, which were already delivered to the quarry yesterday. We will report on the gradual construction of the boxes on our blog in the upcoming days! Subscribe to our RSS feed to stay current 😉

Lightweight construction is a key technology in modern vehicle engineering. The deployment of innovative materials and the development of new production technologies allow for the realization of ever more functional structural components. However, possible weight savings are often offset by economic and environmental overhead in manufacturing and recycling.

Only a realistic estimation of costs and benefits through a holistic view of all cycle phases from the production of semi-finished products to the usage of vehicles to the recycling of the residual material by means of a comprehensive life cycle assessment leads to a proper evaluation of economically and ecologically sensible solutions. To this end, a broad coalition of research institutions, automotive suppliers and manufacturers has adopted a joint position paper on the topic of “The Importance of a Holistic Life Cycle Engineering for Automotive Lightweight Construction” (in German).

Here’s a detailed report on life cycle engineering (in German).