The only way to sell the products of tailings is as agglomerate or briquette.

 

In the 1990's we investigated all the types of agglomerates, and spent considerable time on works and utilisation including a USA visit to the California Pellet Mill facilities.

 

We found that roll pressed briquettes delivered a stronger, more stable product for the rough handling involved in the export of bulk coal shipments. 

 

Between 1997 and 2004 HRL had a JV with Garling Mining and during this time we undertook a number of briquetting trials of the products from coal tailings.  These included briquetting at a range of product moistures to determine the optimum, and a wide variety of binders.

 

From 2005, through Superior Coal Limited this briquetting work continued for various projects.  This work was assisted by the input of Dr Brian Young, the recent Chairman of the World Briquetting Association.  Once again we trialled a range of binders and conditions.  These trials resulted in a regime or set of operating conditions that was cost effective and worked for most coals.

 

During the same periods of time extensive works were undertaken on the dewatering and drying of fine coal before and after briquetting / agglomeration.

 

It has been found that all coals are different and the optimal briquetting regime varies from coal to coal, and project to project.