Jameson Cell could help unlock potential of AI-driven advanced process control, Glencore Technology says
Glencore Technology says it is positioning the Jameson Cell for the next generation of mineral processing, highlighting how flotation circuit design can unlock the full potential of AI-driven advanced process control (APC).
As mining companies increasingly explore AI and automation, the conversation is often centred on software. However, Glencore Technology believes the real opportunity lies in the underlying process and the quality of the data that drives it.
“AI has enormous potential for mineral processing, but software alone won’t deliver it,” Dr. Chris Anderson (pictured), Principal Metallurgist, Glencore Technology, says. “The quality of the control strategy will always depend on the quality of the underlying process and the data available to it. That’s where we see the Jameson Cell offering a genuine advantage.”
Conventional flotation circuits often comprise dozens of cells operating across multiple stages, with residence times of several hours between a process adjustment and the resulting metallurgical response. This complexity makes it difficult for both operators and AI systems to rapidly evaluate process changes and optimise circuit performance, according to the company.
By comparison, the Jameson Cell’s compact circuit, short residence time and simplified operating environment provide the conditions needed for effective APC and future AI-enabled optimisation, it claims.
Anderson says: “The advantage of the Jameson Cell is its simplicity. With residence times of just five to 10 minutes and a much more compact circuit, you get rapid feedback on process changes. That gives advanced process control systems the opportunity to learn faster, respond faster and continually optimise the circuit.”
Beyond faster response times, the Jameson Cell also creates opportunities for direct process measurement through online analysers, flowmeters, densitometers, particle size analysers and automated sampling systems, Glencore Technology says. Together, these technologies provide a real-time circuit mass balance and direct measurement of grade and recovery, reducing reliance on inferred measurements such as froth cameras and soft sensors commonly used in conventional flotation circuits.
As more operations investigate AI and advanced automation, Glencore Technology believes AI readiness must be considered during circuit design rather than introduced after commissioning.
Anderson concluded: “If the industry wants to realise the full potential of AI, we first need to move beyond conventional flotation thinking. Simplicity is key. The decisions made during circuit design today will determine how effectively operations can use AI tomorrow.”
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