Iluka to run SciDev OptiFlox chemical trial at mineral sands project

According to Mining News Pro -Iluka Resources has agreed to commence a two-week trial of Intec-owned SciDev’s OptiFlox system at one of its mineral sands operations in the December quarter.

OptiFlox is a polymer system that includes a range of chemical polymers, coagulants and flocculant powders designed for mineral and mining waste water treatment.

SciDev’s other products include BioFlox for sewage water treatment, DairyFlox for dairy waste and MaxiFlox for general purpose industrial waste (including oil and gas).

The trial is intended to optimise Iluka’s water recovery and bring improvements to depositing of tailings. It will run concurrently with a similar trial at another mineral sands operation announced at the beginning of September.

Should the trials prove successful, New South Wales-based SciDev intends to advance discussions with Iluka towards an ongoing sales contract.

It is the latest in a series of high-profile trials for the chemical company.

In July, SciDev entered into a six-month trial with Phoenix Process at a coking coal site in the Bowen Basin, Queensland for the use of OptiFlox chemistry on a belt press filter as a way to increase productivity during coal handling.

SciDev also signed a two-year deal in March last year with Peabody Energy for wastewater treatment using OptiFlox at the Wilpinjong met coal mine in New South Wales following a similar six-month OptiFlox trial.