Major Trends in the Mineral Processing Industry

Abstract

The paper starts by considering the broad framework of the industry, and in particular whether the current boom in production and the threatened shortages of certain strategic minerals are likely to lead to scarcities. The paper suggests that shortages are unlikely and that minerals will become even more widely available and at lower cost. That said, energy and maintaining the license to operate will drive the introduction of new technologies.Using copper as an example, we point out the inevitable lower grades that will be processed and for ever lower selling prices in real terms, as has happened for centuries. Technological innovation is the driver of these trends, and the paper highlights ..