Scenario:

The Bushveld Igneous Complex in South Africa is known for its vast deposits of platinum group metals $($PGMs$)$ and other valuable minerals. A mining company, Bush PGM Ltd$.,$ has recently acquired a new mining lease in the Bushveld region, rich in platinum and palladium ores. The company plans to establish a mineral processing plant to extract and concentrate these PGMs from the mined ore. In your capacity as a consultant, your task is to design and evaluate the mineral processing operations required to produce high$-$grade PGM concentrates suitable for further refining.

Questions:

Comminution $(10$ marks$)$

Explain the role of comminution in mineral processing and its importance in the context of this project.

Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of using jaw crushers and cone crushers for the initial size reduction step.Screening and Classification $(10$ marks$)$D Discuss the principles and applications of screening and classification in mineral processing.

Propose a screening and classification circuit to prepare the ore for subsequent concentration processes. Justify your choice of equipment and sizing criteria.

Explain how the particle size distribution of the feed material affects the efficiency of downstream concentration processes.

Concentration Processes $(15$ marks$)$

D Describe the principles and applications of at least three different concentration processes suitable for Xenonite ore $($e$.$g$.,$ froth flotation, gravity separation, magnetic separation, etc.$).$Tailings Management $(10$ marks$)$Explain the importance of tailings management in mineral processing operations and its environmental implications.

Propose a tailings management strategy for the Xenonite processing plant, considering factors such as tailings composition, volume, and potential environmental impact.