South32’s Hermosa project has selected Glencore Technology’s Jameson Concentrator to support a safer, more efficient and increasingly automated processing operation at the in-development project in Arizona, USA.
With a focus on maximising performance while minimising environmental impact, Hermosa is being engineered as a best-practice critical minerals operation. This made the Jameson Concentrator’s compact footprint and energy efficiency the first key factor in its selection, Glencore Technology says.
With limited surface space, the Jameson Concentrator configuration reduced the flotation circuit from an alternative of approximately 22 conventional flotation cells to just 11 Jameson Cells, requiring only around 60% of the footprint. Glencore Technology projections also indicate energy savings of approximately 30% compared with a conventional tank cell circuit, reducing both operating costs and carbon emissions.
A second consideration was Hermosa’s focus on automation and remote operation, with the processing plant to be operated remotely from Centro, South32’s operations centre in the nearby city of Nogales.
Scott Martin, Glencore Technology’s Sales Director, Americas, said: “When you’re designing a mine around automation and remote operation, fast process feedback and reliable data become essential. The Jameson Concentrator is particularly well suited to this environment. With residence times of just five to 10 minutes, compared to 40-60 minutes for conventional flotation circuits, operators can see the impact of process changes much sooner. That enables faster optimisation, more frequent control actions and creates a strong foundation for advanced process control and future AI-driven operation.”
Operational flexibility was another factor influencing South32’s selection, with Martin saying the Jameson Cell gives operators options. He added: “As ore characteristics change, individual cells can be reassigned to different duties, allowing the circuit to adapt without major modifications. That’s an important capability for a project designed to operate for decades, especially one operated remotely.”
By allowing cells to switch between roughing and cleaning duties, the circuit can be continually optimised as feed characteristics evolve throughout the life of the mine, Glencore Technology says.
It added: “Together, the advantages of smaller footprint, lower energy consumption, automation readiness and operational flexibility, made the Jameson Concentrator a natural fit for Hermosa’s long-term vision.”
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