Mining Institute, Kola Science Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity, Russia

R. M. Nikitin, Academic Secretary, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, r.nikitin@ksc.ru
S. P. Ostapenko, Leading Researcher, Candidate of Engineering Sciences
A. V. Fomin, Senior Researcher, Candidate of Engineering Sciences

Murmansk Arctic University, Apatity, Russia
V. V. Biryukov, Senior Lecturer

Modern approaches to optimizing process flowsheets of mineral processing are inseparable from technological improvement and digitalization of beneficiation practices. Essentiality of digital transformation of mining and processing is an evident and governing objective and trend in mining science. A methodical approach to numerical modeling of gravity separation of minerals is developed using the methods of computational fluid dynamics. The approach is implemented in modeling a separation process in hydraulic separators, hydrocyclones and spiral separators, and in research of modeling table concentration. The proposed approach allows studying various hydrodynamic and kinetic parameters of separation of mineral particles in effective volume of separators, predicting beneficiation indicators and validating design factors and separation modes for processing equipment. As a result of the accomplished research, a methodological framework is developed for the computer modeling of selective separation for a wide range of minerals. A simulation model of a segment of a ferruginous quartzite processing section is designed. The modeling result is the mathematical relationships between the data of serial process steps, in real time, to maintain material balance of a process flow diagram. The presented examples of solutions obtained using various digital technologies for the analysis and enhancement of efficiency of processing technologies for mineral raw materials of the Kola mining sector were implemented at the Mining Institute, KSC RAS. Some efforts are undertaken toward creation of resource-saving technologies for natural and manmade mineral processing using digital methods and information systems for solving problems of mining and processing practice.

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