542-0433/06 – Principles of Mineral Raw Materials Preparation (ZÚNS)

Students are introduced to the fundamental processes related to preparatory procedures usedin the processing of coal, ores, industrial minerals, and waste materials. These preparatory processes focus on optimizing the granulometry of input raw materials.

Mineral processing comprises a set of processes that directly follow the extraction and recovery of mineral raw materials. It includes three basic groups of technological processes – preparatory, separation and auxiliary processes. The course focuses on preparatory processes, the main objective of which is to adjust the particle size distribution of the raw material and to create suitable conditions for subsequent separation processes and further processing. Particular attention is paid to crushing, grinding, mechanical screening and classification in the processing of coal, ores, industrial minerals and wastes. Professional knowledge: The student explains the basic principles of mineral processing and characterizes the individual stages of preparatory processes. The student describes the principles of crushing, grinding, mechanical screening and classification and distinguishes the basic types of machines and equipment used in these processes. The student explains the importance of preparatory processes for subsequent separation processes. Professional skills: The student distinguishes individual preparatory processes and selects a suitable type of equipment for the processing of coal, ores, industrial minerals and wastes. The student assesses the basic advantages, disadvantages and possible applications of individual types of equipment and evaluates their suitability with respect to the properties of the processed material and the required processing outcome. General competences: The student independently selects an appropriate procedure for solving basic tasks related to the preparation of mineral raw materials prior to separation. The student provides a professional justification for the choice of the basic technological procedure and equipment with respect to the properties of the raw material, the required product and the links to subsequent mineral processing operations.

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