Excellence on display. Expertise in action.

The annual International Coal Preparation Conference (ICPC) remains one of the leading platforms for technical exchange, innovation, and collaboration within the coal and minerals processing sector.

The conference brings together researchers, OEMs, plant operators, and technology providers to discuss advancements in processing technology, operational excellence, and circuit optimisation.

This year’s event, held in Sun City, delivered a high calibre of papers and strong participation from industry professionals across the region.

Multotec had a prominent presence at the conference.

Ernst Bekker, Niel Lourens, Christina Ramotsabi and Frikkie Enslin chaired some of the technical sessions, and we had four technical papers presented by our colleagues:

• Christina Ramotsabi – Evolution of spirals in the coal fines circuit: A Review
• Menzi Zulu – Optimisation of the SX4, SX7, MX7, SX10 and Ax4 spirals to produce data for modelling
• Frikkie Enslin – The era of ESG Consciousness and its effects on coal handling and processing plants and Beyond Bessemer: The past, present and the future of DMS in the coal industry

All four papers were exceptionally well received, generating significant discussion and interest from customers and industry partners. The delegates engaged well with the content presented. These engagements created valuable opportunities for follow-up conversations, both about current operational challenges and potential collaborative work, further strengthening Multotec’s technical credibility and customer relationships.

Multotec’s exhibition booth was another standout element of the event. The stand was well designed, visually engaging, and strategically positioned, allowing us to effectively showcase our spirals technology, testing capabilities, and broader value proposition.

The booth attracted strong foot traffic throughout the conference, enabling meaningful discussions with existing clients, potential customers, and industry peers about how Multotec solutions can address evolving plant needs.

The conference also organised a tour for the delegates to Grootegeluk. The visit to Grootegeluk provided valuable insights into one of the most advanced and strategically important coal operations in the southern hemisphere.

Key activities included a guided tour of the coal processing plant, where delegates gained a deeper understanding of the plant flow, equipment configuration, and operational efficiencies.

The visit also featured interactive sessions with plant and process engineers, allowing for meaningful discussions on optimisation initiatives, process challenges, and the technologies underpinning the mine’s performance.

A dedicated session on sustainable mining practices further highlighted Exxaro’s commitment to responsible resource extraction, environmental stewardship, and long-term operational resilience.

Interesting facts about Grootegeluk mine

• Home to the largest beneficiation complex in the southern hemisphere, showcasing highly integrated and automated coal processing infrastructure.
• Operates 1 450 mm large-diameter cyclones, a standout feature in achieving efficient separation and product quality.
• Utilises an extensive discard backfill system, demonstrating a strong focus on environmental sustainability and waste management.
• The GG7 & GG8 plants supply 14.6 Mtpa of coal to Eskom’s Medupi Power Station.
• The GG2/6 plants produce a combination of semi-soft coking coal and power station coal, supporting both metallurgical and energy markets.
• Equipped with a 10 Mtpa load-out facility, enabling high throughput, efficient coal dispatch and logistics.

Following the conference, Multotec also hosted Mark Cresswell, who presented the papers he delivered at ICPC to our engineering team.

This internal knowledge-sharing session enriched our understanding of mass balance approaches, dense medium separation design considerations, and emerging industry trends.

Mark’s visit reinforced our commitment to continuous learning and to ensuring our engineers remain aligned with global best practice.

Overall, the ICPC provided Multotec with a strong platform for technical contribution, customer engagement, and industry visibility. The positive reception of our papers, combined with the success of our exhibition stand and the follow-up engagement made this year’s conference highly impactful for business.