ERG launches a new era in chrome ore beneficiation
Kanysh Satpaev, an outstanding scientist and the first academician, said: “We cannot imagine science detached from practice. The success of science lies in scientists working in conjunction with manufacturers.” These words are confirmed by ERG experience. The creation of the world-first technology for chromium flotation from waste today became possible owing to systematic support of scientific research, to which ERG annually allocates 1% of its contract activity. The company independently determines priority areas and flexibly invests in promising ideas, forming a practical scientific and technical agenda.
Flotation technology is commonly used for non-ferrous and precious metal mining. This solution is rare and innovative for chromium industry. The world first direct flotation technology of chromium from slime waste, developed and patented by ERG Research and Engineering Center, allows to extract chromium from ultrafine particles that were previously considered not suitable for enrichment.
Flotation area is a new stage of ERG Green program at Donskoy Mining and Processing Plant of TNC Kazchrome JSC as part of the Group Eco-Strategy. Its goal is to transform wastes accumulated over decades into raw materials for production.
- In one of his speeches, the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, called on domestic enterprises to contribute to science development. ERG, implementing the new Development Strategy adopted at the end of 2024, always strives not only to introduce the most modern technologies into production, but also to develop its own solutions, taking into account the best existing practices. The technology proposed by ERG Research and Engineering Center for flotation of chromium from slime waste is a striking example of this. I have been following the development of this innovation for the industry from the very beginning and am very pleased today to witness the real scientific and technical breakthrough, which became possible thanks to talent and professionalism of people working in our Company, thanks to the innovative corporate culture we have created, said Shukhrat Ibragimov, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of ERG.
It should be noted that in 2023, Donskoy Mining and Processing Plant implemented the first stage of ERG Green program by launching the unique Slime Processing Plant. Here, waste is enriched by gravity, yielding a commercial concentrate with at least 48.5% chromium content. However, there are still tailings left over after this process, which still contain valuable chromium. A new flotation area has been created specifically to extract it, enabling ultra-fine fractions processing.
Overall, the Company aims to process approximately 14.5 million tons of slime accumulated over time as part of the program. The total investment in ERG Green amounts to KZT 96 billion.
