New mineral processing prototypes are best evaluated in a plant. This environment not only allows evaluation of the equipment’s metallurgical efficiency, but also uncovers mechanical or operational weaknesses, which are difficult to foresee by a designer with minimal operating experience.

The concept of the continuous Falcon concentrator has not dramatically changed over the years, however, some of the key components have undergone extensive upgrading, resulting in higher mechanical availability and lower operating costs. Personnel at Tanco have always had great belief in the concept of the continuous Falcon concentrator. After the more than 250,000 hrs of total operating time on continuous Falcons at Tanco, design issues have been resolved by a team-like approach between Falcon Concentrators Inc (now Sepro) and Tanco.

The following is a typical scenario for the resolution of issues, which were encountered with any of the continuous concentrators:

The Tanco team, with its extensive operating experience, would identify an operating issue while simultaneously providing a possible solution to Sepro. The problem and potential solution were reviewed by Sepro, then input for a possible solution was also added by Sepro. New prototype parts were then designed and supplied by Sepro. These could then be tested and evaluated at Tanco.  This iterative process has created a very robust concentrator with low operating costs.