From our Ore to Your Door - Episode 16: Briquetting

To be fed into QMAG’s vertical shaft kilns, the magnesia must be transformed from loose powder into compressed briquettes.                                                                                     

Using high-pressure roller presses, we press finely ground magnesia into a compact shape that is suitable for high-temperature sintering (or deadburning). The inherent properties of caustic calcined magnesia means we can briquette the material without adding any additional chemicals or binders.                                                                                                     

There are two roller presses used to service each of QMAG’s three high-temperature vertical shaft kilns. Each press has a unique purpose. The first press, referred to as the ‘predense press’, builds or replenishes the magnesia aggregate. The second, or ‘final press’, presses a mixture of magnesia powder and crushed pre-dense aggregate to produce a high-quality dense briquette ready for the kiln.

Making briquettes from powder is a fairly simple operation. We mix a ratio of finely ground magnesia and aggregate, and feed it into a column above the press. A pre-compacting screw removes some of the trapped air and forces the mixture from the column in between two counter-rotating rollers. These rollers are furnished with matching moulds that define the briquette shape. One roller is fixed and the other floating, as hydraulic rams apply pressure. We can continuously adjust the hydraulics to optimise the final briquette shape and properties.

From our Ore to Your Door - Episode 5 - Environment, Rehabilitation and Cultural Considerations

Our industry has two important roles to play: providing resources and protecting our incredible natural environment.

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From our Ore to Your Door - Episode 4 - Water Management

Mining at Kunwarara brings its own unique challenges. The magnesite mainly lies inside a shallow aquifer which makes mining impossible without first controlling the water.

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State of Origin - QLD vs NSW

Ah, the State of Origin—where New South Wales and Queensland go head-to-head in a rivalry fiercer than a kangaroo on caffeine! It's the time of year when families are divided, friendships are put on hold, and everyone suddenly becomes an expert on rugby.

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From our Ore to Your Door - Episode 3 - Mine Planning

With the geological models from drilling and sampling, we create the Kunwarara mine plan. This plan identifies the most suitable, quality magnesite available in sufficient quantities to feed the beneficiation plant.

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From our Ore to Your Door - Episode 2 - Drilling and Sampling

Drilling campaigns are designed to meet the requirements of the mining schedule.

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From our Ore to Your Door - Episode 1 - Exploration and Geology

Our Kunwarara – Yaamba deposit extends for around 30km, as one of the world’s largest deposits of cryptocrystalline magnesite.

 

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