Historically, chrome ore markets have been supplied with two products – lumpy ore or concentrates derived from fines. Sail has pioneered developments that overcome the drawbacks traditionally associated with both products.
Lumpy product is notoriously friable so, by the time it reaches the user, a significant part of the shipment will have downgraded to fines that can adversely affect the smelting process by choking furnaces. Fines have had to be separated from lumpy, and the concentrates made from fines have had to be pelletised at some considerable cost to the user.
Working closely with chrome-users, Sail has overcome these drawbacks by demonstrating that run-of-mine material, which combines fines and lumpy, can be safely used without the fines content choking the furnace.
Fines also cushion the friable lumpy from degradation during transportation to the end-user. The result has been that run-of-mine product has become highly desirable and commands a premium to prices of pelletised concentrate. Its use can save smelters as much as $25/t on the previous cost of separating fines from lumpy, and the subsequent need for sintering or pelletising of fines before their use as a furnace feed.