logo
Y&X Beijing Technology Co., Ltd.
Products
News
Home >

China Y&X Beijing Technology Co., Ltd. Company News

Mineral Flotation Process: 10 Common Problems (Part1)

Contents The Impact of Grinding Particle Size on Flotation Preventing and Mitigating Excessive Slimes in Grinding Pulp Why Coarse Particles Are Difficult to Float and What Measures to Take Difficulties in Flotation of Fine Particles and Measures to Take The Impact of Slimes on Flotation and Solutions   The Impact of Grinding Particle Size on Flotation Coarse particles (greater than 0.1mm) and extremely fine particles (less than 0.006mm) can negatively impact flotation effectiveness and recovery rates.   Flotation of Coarse Particles When floating coarse particles, their significant weight increases the detachment force, making it difficult for them to adhere to bubbles, resulting in metal loss and affecting the grade of the concentrate. To address this, the following measures should be taken: 1. Use sufficient amounts of the most effective collectors. 2. Increase aeration of the pulp, producing larger bubbles and more microbubbles precipitated in water. 3. Ensure appropriate agitation intensity of the pulp. 4. Increase pulp density appropriately. 5. Ensure rapid and steady scraping of bubbles during froth scraping.   Flotation of Extremely Fine Particles When floating extremely fine particles (usually less than 5-10μm), the following issues arise: 1. Fine particles easily adhere to bubbles, reducing the floatability of coarse particles, leading to poorer selectivity and separation efficiency, and lowering concentrate grade. 2. Fine particles have a large surface area, absorbing significant amounts of flotation reagents, reducing the reagent concentration in the pulp and disrupting the normal flotation process, thus lowering flotation indicators. 3. Fine particles have high surface activity, interacting easily with various reagents, making separation difficult. They have strong hydration, overly stabilizing the froth and making it difficult to concentrate, reducing the quality of the concentrate and the flowability and concentration efficiency of the froth product.   Preventing and Mitigating Excessive Slimes in Grinding Pulp To prevent and mitigate excessive slimes, the following methods are commonly used: 1. Reduce and prevent the generation of slimes by adopting multi-stage grinding processes and staged beneficiation processes. Proper selection of grinding and classification equipment and improving the efficiency of classifiers is essential. 2. Add reagents to eliminate the harmful effects of slimes, such as water glass, soda, and caustic soda, to reduce the covering and flocculation effects of slimes. To mitigate the harmful impact of slimes absorbing large amounts of reagents, consider staged reagent addition. 3. Deslime the ground ore before flotation, discarding it as tailings. If the slimes contain valuable components, they can be treated separately by flotation or sent for hydrometallurgical processing.   Common desliming methods include: -Classifier desliming. -Hydrocyclone desliming. -In special cases, add a small amount of frother before flotation to float and remove easily floatable slimes.   Why Coarse Particles Are Difficult to Float and What Measures to Take Coarse grinding can save grinding costs and reduce expenses. In flotation plants processing ores with uneven dissemination, there is a trend towards coarser grinding sizes, provided that the rougher recovery rate is ensured. However, coarse particles are heavier and harder to suspend in the flotation cell, reducing the chances of collision with bubbles. Additionally, once attached to bubbles, the large detachment force makes them prone to falling off. To improve coarse particle flotation, the following measures can be taken: 1. Use collectors with stronger collecting power and add auxiliary collectors like kerosene or diesel to strengthen coarse particle collection, increasing the attachment and adhesion strength to bubbles, reducing detachment. 2. Increase the pulp density to enhance buoyancy. Ensure stable froth layers and appropriate agitation to promote coarse particle suspension and attachment to bubbles. 3. Increase aeration to create larger bubbles and "bubble clusters" formed by large and small bubbles, which have higher buoyancy to carry coarse particles upwards. 4. Use shallow flotation cells to shorten the flotation path and reduce particle detachment. Alternatively, use specialized flotation machines suited for coarse particles, such as cyclonic flotation cells and SkimAir flotation machines. 5. Utilize rapid and steady froth scrapers to promptly remove floated froth, reducing particle detachment.   Difficulties in Flotation of Fine Particles and Measures to Take Fine particle separation in flotation is challenging due to: 1. Large specific surface area and increased surface energy, leading to non-selective aggregation between different mineral surfaces under certain conditions. Despite high reagent adsorption, selectivity is poor, making selective separation difficult. 2. Small volume reduces collision chances with bubbles. The small mass makes it difficult to overcome the hydration layer resistance between particles and bubbles, hindering attachment.   To address fine particle flotation challenges, the following measures can be implemented: 1. Selective flocculation flotation: Use flocculants to selectively flocculate target mineral micro-particles or gangue fines, then separate them by flotation. 2. Carrier flotation: Use regular flotation-sized particles as carriers to float target mineral fines. The carrier can be similar or different minerals. For example, pyrite can be used to float fine gold particles, and calcite to float micro-fine iron and titanium impurities in kaolin. 3. Agglomeration flotation, also known as emulsion flotation: Fine mineral particles treated with collectors form oil-coated froth under the action of neutral oils. The collector and neutral oil can be premixed into an emulsion and added to the pulp, or added separately into high-density pulp, agitated vigorously, then the upper froth is skimmed off. This method has been used for fine manganese, ilmenite, and apatite ores.   The Impact of Slimes on Flotation and Solutions If the flotation pulp contains excessive slimes, it negatively affects flotation in the following ways: 1. Slimes easily mix into froth products, reducing concentrate grade. 2. Slimes cover coarse particles, hindering their flotation. 3. Slimes absorb large amounts of reagents, increasing reagent consumption. 4. Slimes make the pulp viscous, worsening aeration conditions.   To solve these issues, the following measures can be taken: 1. Use dilute pulp to reduce viscosity, minimizing slime entrainment in froth products. 2. Add dispersants to disperse slimes, eliminating their harmful covering effect on other minerals. 3. Use staged reagent addition to reduce reagent consumption by slimes. 4. Deslime flotation materials before flotation.   Common desliming methods include hydrocyclone classification.   By understanding the impacts of particle size on flotation and implementing these measures, flotation efficiency and concentrate quality can be significantly improved.

2024

06/11

How to Observe Mineral Flotation Phenomena?

How to Observe Mineral Flotation Phenomena?   The responsibilities of a flotation plant operator include maintaining the normal operation of equipment, adjusting reagents and equipment based on flotation phenomena to ensure stable and optimal flotation indices. Therefore, accurate judgment of flotation phenomena is crucial for achieving good indices. Common methods for judging the quality of flotation products include observing the foam and washing the products.   1. Observing the Foam Flotation operators adjust the amount of flotation reagents, the quantity of concentrate scraped out, and the amount of middling circulated based on their judgment of the flotation foam's appearance. The main aspects of observing flotation foam include:   (1) Solid vs. Hollow Foam is described as "solid" when the mineralization degree on the mineral surface is high, resulting in firm, substantial foam, typically seen in roughing and cleaning operations. In scavenging operations, because useful minerals have been largely floated in roughing, the foam tends to be "hollow." Reagent addition directly affects flotation foam characteristics. If reagent dosage is appropriate, the foam in the first roughing cell will be "solid." Excessive depressant or insufficient collector will result in "hollow" foam.   (2) Large vs. Small The size of bubbles on the foam layer surface varies with ore properties, reagent regime, and flotation operation. In general sulfide ore flotation, bubbles with a diameter of 8-10 cm are considered large, 3-5 cm as medium, and 1-2 cm as small. Well-mineralized bubbles are usually medium-sized, commonly seen in roughing and cleaning operations. During bubble coalescence, some large bubbles may appear to increase concentrate grade. Poorly mineralized bubbles are often large (hollow bubbles), commonly seen at the tail end of scavenging operations. In oxidized ore flotation, small and numerous bubbles might indicate low-grade rough concentrate with high recovery, whereas small, numerous, and hollow bubbles suggest both low-grade and low recovery. Hence, observing bubble size and solidity is crucial for judging flotation indices.   (3) Color Foam color is determined by the attached minerals and the water film color. For instance, in hematite flotation, the foam is brick red. Scavenging tail foam is often white (water film color). The deeper the floating mineral color in scavenging, the greater the metal loss. Conversely, the deeper the color in roughing and cleaning, the better the concentrate quality. A common but not absolute standard for clean flotation in scavenging operations is whether the foam appears white, though specific situations need detailed analysis.   (4) Luster Foam luster is influenced by the mineral's luster and the water film's sheen. The coarseness of flotation mineral particles also affects foam surface luster.   (5) Outline Mineralized bubbles in flotation often appear nearly round or elliptical due to the influences of slurry flow, bubble interaction, and the gravitational pull of surface-layer mineral particles. Freshly formed mineralized bubbles have distinct outlines, whereas bubbles on the slurry surface for extended periods have blurred outlines.     (6) Thickness The thickness of the foam layer is related to the amount of frother used and the degree of bubble mineralization. More frother, high ore grade, high concentration, and good mineralization result in a thicker foam layer, and vice versa. However, overly coarse flotation mineral particles make it challenging to form a thick foam layer. Different ore properties require varying foam layer thicknesses.   (7) Brittleness vs. Stickiness Brittle foam has poor stability and breaks easily, whereas overly sticky foam may cause "froth overflows," resulting in poor concentrate grade and transportation difficulties. Excessive frother, oil contamination, or substantial slime content in the ore can make foam sticky.   (8) Sound The sound of foam being scraped off by a scraper indicates mineral properties. Heavy minerals with coarse particles and solid foam make a "sizzling" sound when falling into the foam trough.   2. Washing Products Washing foam products or tailings with a spoon, bowl, or washing pan helps assess concentrate quality and metal loss.   3. Washing Requirements Choose appropriate washing locations and products based on the washing purpose. Determine suitable sample amounts and washing extent based on mineral content and type.   For accurate washing inspections, ensure consistency in sampling locations, sample amounts, and washing extent each time.

2024

06/07

YX500: A Sodium Cyanide Substitute in Gold Leaching

YX500: A Sodium Cyanide Substitute in Gold Leaching Application Range of YX500 1. Applicable Materials: YX500 finds utility across various gold-containing materials including gold, silver oxidized ores, primary ores, cyanide tailings, gold concentrates, roasting slag, and anode sludge. 2. Processes: It suits different leaching methods such as heap leaching, pool leaching, carbon slurry, and stirring leaching.   Characteristics of YX500 1. Appearance: YX500 presents as a powdery solid. 2. Dissolving Method: It dissolves readily when stirred with water at room temperature. 3. Alkalinity Adjustment: Lime or caustic soda are typically employed to maintain pH levels between 10-12. Utilization Guidelines and Precautions 1. Solution Preparation: YX500 dosage mirrors that of sodium cyanide. Concentrations vary according to ore grades and impurity contents, usually prepared at 15-20% concentration. 2. Usage Process: YX500 follows conventional sodium cyanide leaching procedures. 3. Precautions: Regular monitoring of precious and lean liquid content, pH, and YX500 concentration is recommended. pH deviations outside 10-12 range affect YX500 consumption and leaching efficiency. Minor black residue post-dissolution doesn't impair effectiveness. YX500 can be used alone or in tandem with sodium cyanide. Suitable for various leaching processes including carbon slurry and zine powder replacement. Gold recovery methods remain consistent with cyanide leaching. YX500 leach return water is recyclable. Leaching efficacy remains unaffected within 0-50°C temperature range, akin to sodium cyanide. YX500 consumption relative to sodium cyanide varies; higher for high-grade, impure, or fine gold-bearing materials, generally 1.5-3 times more.   Click here for more information about YX500!

2024

06/05

Why is YX500 a Low Toxicity Alternative to Sodium Cyanide for Gold Extraction?

What is Gold Leaching Reagent YX500? The Eco-Friendly Gold Leaching Reagent (hereinafter referred to as "YX500") is a high-tech product developed by Y&X Beijing Technology Co., Ltd. It has successfully replaced sodium cyanide and is extensively used in gold beneficiation and smelting processes, with fully independent intellectual property rights.   YX500 has achieved industrial-scale production and application. The developed "synergistic leaching" and "in-situ treatment" technologies ensure the standard discharge of tailings slurry while maintaining effective gold leaching indicators. These research results, appraised by the China Gold Association, are recognized for their innovation, broad market potential, and overall technology reaching the international advanced level. Specifically, the "synergistic leaching - in-situ treatment" technology has achieved an internationally leading level. YX500 can directly replace sodium cyanide without any modifications to the original cyanide process.   Reagent YX500 boasts numerous advantages, including low toxicity and environmental friendliness, high recovery rate, good stability, ease of operation, fast recovery, reduced dosage, low cost, and convenient storage and transportation. What is the Low-toxicity Gold Dissolution Principle of YX500? YX500 is an eco-friendly reagent that can substitute the highly toxic sodium cyanide. Its primary components include sodium carbonate tripolycyanate, alkaline thiourea, alkaline polymeric iron, and carbonate. During the gold leaching process, these components work synergistically to enable the cyanide group to complex and dissolve gold, thus achieving gold extraction.   The cyano-like groups (CN-) in the branched chain of carbonized sodium cyanurate are linked by covalent bonds, rather than ionic bonds as in sodium cyanide. Due to structural reasons and steric hindrance, these cyano groups typically do not decompose into free cyanide (CN-) in an alkaline environment but maintain a similar complexation ability to free cyanide. They work synergistically with other components in the product to oxidize and complex alloys.   During synthesis, some side reactions can result in a small amount of cyano group presence in the product. This minimal amount of cyanide (CN-) is the main reason why YX500 is non-toxic or low-toxic to humans and other organisms despite its detectability.   YX500 contains a small amount of water-insoluble substances (≤3%), primarily iron-containing oxides. The presence of iron oxide helps further stabilize carbonized sodium cyanurate, making it more stable under normal conditions. Therefore, after YX500 is fully dissolved, a small amount of black slag at the bottom is normal and does not affect the gold-dissolving capability of the product. On the contrary, it enhances the product's safety performance.   Click here for more information about YX500!  

2024

05/30

Flotation Processes for Copper-Gold Ores

Flotation processes are essential methods for separating copper and gold from copper-gold ores. Depending on the characteristics of the ore, these processes primarily include the flotation of sulfide copper ores and the flotation of oxide copper ores. Common primary oxide copper minerals include malachite (CuCO3-Cu(OH)2, containing 57.4% copper) and azurite (2CuCO3·Cu(OH)2, containing 55.2% copper), followed by chrysocolla (CuSiO3·2H2O, containing 36.2% copper) and cuprite (Cu2O, containing 88.8% copper).   1. Sulfidation Method The sulfidation method is the most common flotation method for oxide copper ores. It is suitable for most oxidized copper ores that can be sulfidized. Sulfidized oxide ores exhibit properties of sulfide ores and can be floated using xanthate.   Usage of Sulfidizing Agents: Sodium sulfide is used at a dosage of 1-2 kg/t (of raw ore). Sodium sulfide and other sulfidizing agents oxidize easily, have short action times, and the formed sulfide films are unstable and can easily detach under intense agitation. Therefore, it should be added in batches directly into the first flotation cell. Pulp pH Control: The sulfidation rate increases as the pulp pH decreases. The pH is usually maintained around 9, and lime can be added if necessary. Collectors: Butyl xanthate or a mixture of black and yellow collectors is commonly used. Dispersants: When there is a high amount of slime, a dispersant such as water glass is used.   2. Organic Acid Flotation Method Organic acids and their soaps can effectively float malachite and azurite. However, this method is less selective when the gangue contains a large amount of carbonate minerals, making it difficult to improve the concentrate grade.   Applicability: Suitable for ores where the gangue minerals are not carbonate. The flotation performance deteriorates when the gangue contains a significant amount of floatable iron and manganese minerals. Auxiliary Reagents: Sodium carbonate, water glass, and phosphates are typically added as gangue inhibitors and pulp regulators.   3. Leaching-Precipitation-Flotation Method When neither the sulfidation nor the organic acid methods achieve satisfactory results, the leaching-precipitation-flotation method is used.   Process Flow: The oxide copper ore is first leached with sulfuric acid, then copper is precipitated using iron powder, and the precipitated copper is subsequently floated. Leaching Conditions: The leach solution is a 0.5%-3% dilute sulfuric acid solution, with acid consumption varying between 2.3-45 kg/t (of raw ore) depending on the ore's properties. For refractory ores, leaching can be performed at elevated temperatures (45-70°C). Flotation Conditions: Flotation is carried out in an acidic medium using cresol black or double xanthate as collectors.   4. Ammonia Leaching-Sulfide Precipitation-Flotation Method This method is suitable for ores with a high content of alkaline gangue, where acid leaching would be too costly. Process Flow: After fine grinding, the ore is treated with sulfur powder and ammonia leaching. The copper ions in the oxide copper ore form complexes with NH3 and CO2 while being precipitated by sulfur ions into new sulfide copper particles. Ammonia is then evaporated and recovered, followed by sulfide copper flotation. Pulp pH Control: The pulp pH is maintained between 6.5 and 7.5. Flotation Reagents: Standard flotation reagents for sulfide copper ores are used.     5. Segregation-Flotation Method This method is used for refractory oxide copper ores, particularly those with a high slime content and combined copper accounting for more than 30% of total copper.   Process Flow: The appropriately sized ore is mixed with 2%-3% coal powder and 1%-2% salt, then subjected to chloridizing reduction roasting at 700-800°C. The resulting copper chloride volatilizes from the ore and is reduced to metallic copper within the furnace, which is then adsorbed onto coal particles. These particles are subsequently separated from the gangue via flotation. Applicability: Suitable for ores with high chrysocolla and cuprite content. This method is advantageous for comprehensive recovery of gold, silver, and other rare metals compared to the leaching-flotation method. Drawbacks: High energy consumption and costs.   6. Flotation of Mixed Copper Ores The flotation process for mixed copper ores should be determined based on experimental results. The process can either involve simultaneous flotation of sulfide and oxide copper minerals after sulfidation or sequential flotation where sulfide minerals are floated first, followed by sulfidation and flotation of oxide minerals. The amounts of collectors and sulfidizing agents should be adjusted according to the oxide content in the ore.   Conclusion The choice of flotation process for copper-gold ores depends primarily on the specific characteristics and mineral composition of the ore. The sulfidation method is suitable for most oxide copper ores, while the organic acid method is preferable for ores without carbonate gangue minerals. The leaching-precipitation-flotation method is used when other methods are ineffective. The ammonia leaching-sulfide precipitation-flotation method is suitable for ores with high alkaline gangue content, and the segregation-flotation method is applicable for refractory oxide copper ores. Optimizing the flotation process and reagent regime through testing can achieve the best recovery rates and economic benefits.

2024

05/28

China expected to maintain steady growth

Experts say consumption will remain primary driver of economy in 2024 China's economy is set to maintain robust and steady growth in 2024 as domestic demand further recovers, driven by ramped-up macroeconomic policy support and the deepening of industrial upgrading, senior experts said. Consumption will remain a primary growth driver this year, while the investment outlook is expected to improve, countering potential lingering pressures on exports, they said. Wang Yiming, vice-chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, said consumer spending is poised to further expand this year, building on the post-COVID rebound in 2023. In the first three quarters of last year, consumption accounted for 83.2 percent of the nation's economic growth. Supporting the continued recovery in consumer spending would be the acceleration of new forms of consumption, including in the digital economy, green industries, healthcare and smart homes, said Wang, who is also a member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the People's Bank of China, the country's central bank. Traditional consumption areas such as vehicles and electronics are also expected to see a resurgence as a stabilizing economy boosts people's incomes and expectations, he said, adding that policy initiatives would also promote the recovery. "I believe there is scope for intensifying fiscal policy support," Wang said, adding that the central government may moderately increase debt levels and implement structural tax cuts as its leverage ratio remains relatively low compared with other major economies. The efforts to promote a modern industrial system would help form a virtuous cycle between consumption and investment, while the country's increasingly diverse export markets and emerging export advantages in new energy sectors will help offset lukewarm global demand, said Zhang Xiaoqiang, executive vice-chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges. "China has the capacity to achieve economic growth around 5 percent in 2024 while maintaining the momentum of high-quality development," said Zhang, who is also a former deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission. The tone-setting Central Economic Work Conference, which was held in December, highlighted expanding domestic demand as a focus in 2024, calling for efforts to intensify macroeconomic policy adjustments, tap consumption potential and expand effective investment. China's economy staged a rebound last year as activity normalized from disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it expanded by 5.2 percent in the first three quarters, yet supply has recovered faster than demand, making insufficient demand a weak link of the economy. Mostly dragged by the decline in new market orders, the country's official purchasing managers index for the manufacturing sector fell to 49 in December from 49.4 in November, indicating that factory activity has contracted for the third consecutive month, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Sunday. Lan Zongmin, a researcher at the Development Research Center of the State Council, said the Chinese economy is likely to see a more balanced recovery between supply and demand this year as policymakers attach more emphasis to bolstering demand, with the deepening of industrial upgrading to further anchor investment growth. Infrastructure investment in the areas of technological advances and carbon reduction will likely speed up, and manufacturers' equipment upgrade and growing capacity in emerging industries would bolster investment in the sector, Lan said, adding that investment activity in the real estate sector is projected to stabilize. In an article published on Monday in Qiushi Journal, the flagship magazine of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the leading Party group of the National Development and Reform Commission vowed to enhance the efficiency of government investment to support areas such as transportation infrastructure, energy, coordinated regional development and the modern industrial system. China's retail sales, a gauge of consumption, have rebounded since August and rose by 10.1 percent year-on-year in November, while investment lagged behind as total fixed-asset investment expanded by 2.9 percent year-on-year in the first 11 months of 2023 due to a slump in real estate development, according to the NBS. With more macroeconomic policy support likely, China's A-share market rallied at the end of 2023, led by the new energy and electronics sectors, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up by three consecutive days to 2,974.93 points as of Friday's close, the last trading session of 2023.

2024

01/02

Tariff cuts fresh proof of opening-up

Reductions cover various sectors and are aimed at boosting trade ties China's new round of reductions in import tariffs, announced on Thursday, highlights the country's commitment to further open up its economy and promote international trade cooperation, officials and experts said. The tariff cuts will cover various sectors like advanced manufacturing, medical care and agriculture, and are aimed at providing high-quality supplies to meet public needs. This will enhance the competitiveness of domestic industries and drive high-quality development, they said. China will implement provisional import tariff rates lower than the most-favored-nation rates on 1,010 items starting Jan 1, according to a statement issued by the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council. Import tariffs on key resources, equipment and components that are domestically scarce, like gas diffusion layers (key components in various types of fuel cells), will be lowered to facilitate the development of the country's advanced manufacturing industries, the commission said. Certain anti-cancer medications and drugs for rare diseases, as well as relevant raw materials, will be subject to zero import tariffs. Additionally, import tariffs on foods for special medical purposes and other related products will be reduced, the commission said, adding it will better safeguard people's health with high-quality supplies. In a move to support the development of the agricultural sector, import tariffs on sweet corn, coriander and burdock seeds will be trimmed, while export tariffs on high-purity aluminum will be reduced to foster the growth of the country's new materials industry, the commission said. The purpose of the latest tariff reductions is to expand high-standard opening-up and make better use of the resources and markets both domestically and internationally while preserving stability and efficiency in the country's industrial and supply chains, said Wu Hongmei, director of Customs Department at the Ministry of Finance. Another aim is to encourage domestic industries to advance digital transformation and upgrades, improve their competitiveness on the international stage, and foster stronger internal drivers of economic growth, Wu said. The decision to cut import tariffs is driven by multiple factors, including China's own needs, industry development and the desire to enhance the well-being of its citizens, said Tu Xinquan, head of the China Institute for WTO Studies, which is part of the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing. By aligning the pace of tariff reductions with the country's economic requirements, China aims to promote a more open and inclusive economic landscape and create a favorable environment for more foreign businesses to enter the Chinese market, Tu said. China's immense market size presents an array of opportunities for countries worldwide, creating new avenues for international cooperation, said Gao Lingyun, researcher at the Institute of World Economics and Politics, which is part of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The tariff adjustments are a crucial component of China's efforts to build a global high-standard free trade network and facilitate a more seamless flow of goods and investments, promoting shared development globally, Gao said.

2023

12/22

The abandoned mines haunting Indonesia

   Many countries mandate for post-operations clean-up as part of the mining permit issued before operations begin. In areas with effective law enforcement systems, these clauses limit the liability of the extraction company to the letter of the license. While an operation in the US, for example, might risk a legal battle with someone who stubs their toe on a discarded helmet 30 years later, a clean-up clause would specify a company’s specific liability: nothing less, and nothing more. In countries with less effective enforcement of clean-up, these clauses instead represent a hazard themselves. Once operations end, can a contract holder be certain that their liability ends? Can they be sure that the government will take note of the standard of clean-up? In 30 years’ time, will that government accuse the license holder of not fulfilling their contract, or of actions they were never liable for in the first place? These are questions that Indonesian mining companies ask themselves with no clear answer. Some in power certainly have the will to ensure effective post-operations mine clean-up and registration, but face a daunting task to improve mining logistics in the country. As it stands, 2,000 unregistered mines could stand in the way of the country’s bright future. Indonesia, abandoned mines, and the consequences of corruption As the world’s greatest thermal coal exporter, mining plays a big part in the economy of Indonesia. Indonesian law holds mining companies responsible for cleaning up after excavation, but these laws often go unenforced.   Part of the problem lies with the laws themselves. Ecologist David Woodbury wrote for non-profit Mongabay: “The law states that coal companies must restore the ‘original condition’ of the landscape — an unrealistic target that even in the best-case scenarios is not supported by current science on mine rehabilitation.   “By suggesting that restoring the ‘original condition’ is possible, the law clouds the extent and scale of degradation left behind after surface mining. It misrepresents what is feasible through ecological rehabilitation,” Woodbury finished.   Without effective enforcement, mine restoration becomes an ’unnecessary’ expense for those driven only by profit. Cleaning up mines makes whoever does it less competitive with no tangible reward.   This does not mean that the average Indonesian has no interest in cleaning up ex-mines. Between 2014 and 2020, 168 people died after falling into abandoned pits, which are often steep-sided and filled with water. A parallel industry of illegal mining causes some of these, while also putting workers at risk with no consequences, and with no liability to clean up after the end of operations.   Our Head of Legal and Network Division, Muh Jamil, stated on @KompasTV that there are several roles of the police officials in backing the illegal mining operations according to JATAM’s finding.#illegalmining #coalmining #mineralmining #Polri #percumalaporpolisi #tambangilegal pic.twitter.com/HBddlRLeKS   — Mining Advocacy Network – Indonesia (@JATAMupdates) November 29, 2022 According to the Indonesian Ministry of Mineral and Energy Resources, 2,741 illegal mines operate in the country. These illegal operations can only survive by paying local law enforcement for their silence, which Indonesian mining trade body JATAM says happens on several levels.   Cleaning up Indonesian mining means cleaning up Indonesian police This dynamic of miners paying officials off-the-record bears many of the hallmarks of more above-board legal processes, so in theory, the transition to a more robust legal framework may not be out of the question. But recently, the spotlight has turned onto the Indonesian police.   In late 2022, simultaneous scandals saw government reports blame police for a massive crowd disaster, an officer accused of drug trafficking, the high-profile trial of a police general and a former officer admit to the police’s systematic involvement in illegal mining.   The country’s police force struggles with allegations of corruption, brutality and acting above the law. A report by consultancy Gan Integrity says that two in five Indonesians consider most or all of the police as corrupt. Approximately 30% of Indonesians have paid bribes to police.     https://www.mining-technology.com/features/abandoned-mines-indonesia-kalimantan/  

2023

03/20

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10