An ECI Conference Series
June 5-10, 2022
Helsinki, Finland
About This Conference
Phosphate mining is one of the world’s largest mining industries in terms of value of production and annual tonnage. However, papers on phosphate mining and mineral processing are usually rare at most of the major mining as well as mineral processing conferences, both locally and internationally. The Beneficiation of Phosphates conference has been established as the only conference of international significance focusing on phosphate mineral processing.
Phosphate ore is not only the source of an essential nutrient (P) for plant growth, but it also contains substantial amounts of elements critical to developing green energy for the future. Uranium in phosphate deposits account for 88% of the unconventional U resources, while rare earth elements (REEs) in phosphate deposits represent hundreds of years of current world demand for these vital elements. Beneficiation of Phosphates IX will devote at least two sessions to comprehensive recovery of P and other values from phosphate ore, such as U, REEs, F, Mg, Th, and I.
Phosphate mining and processing generate two major waste streams, waste clay and phosphogypsum, in huge quantity. These wastes are becoming significant financial and environmental liabilities for the industry, and they present a public perception problem as well. Naturally, utilization and treatment of these wastes will be one of the focuses of this conference, with two sessions tentatively scheduled, one on waste tailings in general and another on phosphogypsum in particular.
Other important issues to be discussed include flotation efficiency, flotation reagents, dolomite separation techniques, reduction of silica content, on-line analysis and process control, novel processing techniques and machinery, and hydrometallurgical processes.
In summary, Beneficiation of Phosphates IX will cover the following topics:
• Flotation fundamentals and development of new reagents
• Physical and bio separation techniques
• Beneficiation of carbonaceous phosphates
• Separation of silica and silicates from phosphate
• Processing of low-grade phosphates
• Analysis and process control
• Equipment and process development
• Advances in phosphoric acid manufacturing
• Phosphoric acid purification and uses
• Comprehensive recovery of critical and useful elements from phosphate
• Phosphogypsum purification and utilization
• Sustainable development and the environment.
Conference Organization
Conference Chair and Co-chairs
Patrick Zhang, Chair, Florida Industrial and Phosphate Research Institute, Florida Poly, USA
Erika Rova, Co-Chair, Yara, Finland
Jan Miller, Co-Chair, University of Utah, USA
Marius Porteus, Co-Chair, Fosko, South Africa
Laurindo Leal Filho, Co-Chair, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
Ewan Wingate, Co-Chair, Bechtel Australia Pty Ltd
Andre Carlos Silva, Co-Chair, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Brazil
International Advisory Committee Members
Hassan Al Baghdadi, Maaden, Saudi Arabia
Guven Akdogan, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Tariq Al fariss, King Saudi University, Saudi Arabia
Igor Barmin, EuroChem, Russia
Ruan Chi, Wuhan Institute of Technology, China
Charles Guan, Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC, USA
Andrew James, Phosphate Australia Limited, Australia
Pieter Jacobs, Foskor, South Africa
Elves Matiolo, Centro de Tecnologia Mineral, Brazil
Lucas Moore, ArkemaArrMaz, USA
Brij Moudgil, University of Florida, USA
Jaisen Kohmuench, Eriez Magnetics, USA
Hamid Mazouz, OCP Group, Morocco
Jorgen Stenvold, Yara International ASA, Norway
Tibaut Theys, Prayon Technologies, Belgium
Salah Al-Thyabat, Al-Hussein BinTalal University, Jordan
Xiang Yang, China University of Geosciences, China
Zeqiang Zhang, Wuhan Institute of Technology, China
Conference Outline
Session 1 – Critical Materials from Phosphate
Session 2 – Flotation I: Reagents and Chemistry
Session 3 – Tailings Management and Utilization
Session 4 – Flotation II: Process and Equipment
Session 5 – Phosphoric acid Manufacturing and Purification
Session 6 – Phosphogypsum Management and Utilization
Session 7 – Innovations and Technological Breakthroughs
Call for Abstracts
One-page abstracts should be submitted as soon as possible and no later than the deadline noted below. The abstract should include both the significance of the research as well as results that will be discussed in order to allow a scientific assessment of the work by the organizers. Please indicate the most relevant session topic to which you are submitting your abstract. At this time, we are not calling for poster abstracts.
All abstracts should be submitted electronically and submissions must follow the template provided at this link.
Deadline for abstracts: March 1, 2022
Venue Information
Helsinki is the capital of Finland and its largest city. It was founded in the Middle Ages to be a Swedish rival to Tallinn on the Baltic Sea, but it remained a small fishing village on the mouth of the Vantaanjoki River for over two centuries. Its importance to the Swedish Kingdom increased in the mid-18th century when the fortress originally known as Sveaborg was constructed on islands at the entrance to the harbor. While intended to protect Helsinki from Russian attack, Sveaborg ultimately surrendered to Russia during the Finnish War (1808-1809), and Finland was incorporated into the Russian Empire as part of the Treaty of Fredrikshamn. Russia then moved the Finnish capital from Turku to Helsinki, and the city grew dramatically during the 19th century. Finland became independent in 1917. Finnish independence, a civil war, and three consecutive conflicts associated with World War II made Helsinki a site of significant political and military activity during the first half of the 20th century.
Today Helsinki is recognized as a city in which many differing views can interact in a constructive atmosphere. The Finlandia Hall has hosted many international summit meetings, including the Conference for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 1975. Finland became an EU Member State in 1995 and has held the EU Presidency in 1999 and 2006. It is one of the fastest growing cities in Europe.
Among the top attraction in Helsinki are:
Suomenlinna Museum – A UNESCO World Heritage site
Helsinki Cathedral – The symbol of Helsinki
Museum of Contemporary Art – Architectural gem with an outstanding collection
Temppeliaukio Church – This Lutheran church, opened in 1969, is built directly into solid rock.
Ateneum – Finland’s best known art museum and home of Finnish art
Market Square – The stalls sell everything from food and coffee to art and souvenirs. Surrounded by the harbor, the Presidential palace and the Uspenski Eastern Orthodox Cathedral
Climate change is one of the central drivers of change affecting quality of life globally. The city of Helsinki has set an aim to reduce emissions by 60 percent by the year 2030 and to be carbon neutral by 2035. This shift requires both major structural changes and everyday actions. The Think Sustainably service helps to choose more sustainable ways of living in Helsinki and enjoying the city. It suggests sustainable services, such as restaurants, shops, sights, events and accommodation. The base of the service is in tailor-made criteria for the city of Helsinki that have been developed together with the independent think tank Demos Helsinki, along with local interest groups and sustainability experts. Check the MyHelsinki.fi website to find businesses with a green tab.
Transportation Information
Helsinki Airport consistently ranks among the best airports in the world and serves around 350 flights a day to locations around the world. The journey time between the airport and city center is around 30 minutes; however, the conference hotel is not in the city center but can be reached by tram. The Bastuviksvägen tram stop is a short walk away from the hotel and is a 20 minute ride.
How to get from the airport to the city center:
- By train: Commuter trains I and P are a fast and convenient way of travelling between the city center and the airport. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes. From the train station at Helsinki Airport you can walk directly to your terminal without having to go outside. To get to or from the airport, you will need an ABC ticket. Single tickets and day tickets can be purchased using the HSL mobile app or from HSL ticket machines, R-kiosks and many other sales points throughout the city. Tickets cannot be purchased onboard commuter trains.
- By bus: Bus 615 (“Lentoasema-Rautatientori”) and bus 415/415N (“Lentoasema-Elielinaukio”) also operate between the airport and city center. To get to or from the airport, you will need an ABC ticket, which you can purchase from HSL ticket machines, HSL mobile app or sales points like R-kiosk.
- By taxi:
The journey between Helsinki Airport and the city center by taxi takes approximately 20 minutes and costs around €40-45.
By boat
There are daily ferry services to Helsinki from Tallinn, Estonia by Tallink Silija Line, Viking Line and Eckerö Line to Stockholm, Sweden by Tallink Silja Line and Viking Line. Helsinki can also be reached by ferry from Germany by Finnlines and Russia by St. Peter Line. All the ferry companies also offer the possibility to take a car with you. Information on the different passenger terminals can be found on the Port of Helsinki website.
Getting Around Helsinki
You do not need a car!
Helsinki has an excellent public transport system (HSL) comprising bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services. With a single ticket you can hop aboard trams, buses, the metro and even the municipal ferry to Suomenlinna. You can even change from one mode of transport to another as long as your ticket is still valid. Single tickets can be purchased using the HSL mobile app or from HSL ticket machines, R-kiosks and other HSL sales points.
A day ticket is handy if you plan to make several journeys during one day or several days. You can buy a ticket for 1–7 days. Day tickets can be purchased using the HSL mobile app or from HSL ticket machines and sales points in Helsinki Central Station. Other sales points include R-kiosks and many shops. One-day tickets (24 hours) can be purchased also from HSL ticket machines; these tickets are printed out and valid immediately upon payment.
The HSL public transport region is divided into four zones identified by the letters A, B, C and D starting from the city center. Purchase a ticket for all the zones in which you plan to travel. If you plan to travel in zones A, B and C, you will need an AB, BC or ABC ticket, as there are no one-zone tickets for zones A, B and C. The online Journey Planner notifies which ticket you need together with the search results.
Helsinki Card holders can travel free of charge on public transportation depending on their card within zones A/ B or A/B/C.
Walking
Helsinki is a compact city that is easy to explore on foot, as most of the sights are within walking distance. Even in the busy city center, you are never far away from green areas and the sea. Tourist Information inside Helsinki Central Station has a selection of thematic maps to help you plan your walks around the city.
By bike
Cycling is a fast and easy way of getting around Helsinki. A popular route is the Baana pedestrian and cycling corridor that runs through the center of Helsinki along a stretch of disused railway line. Baana is part of an impressive 1200-kilometre network of bike paths in Helsinki that makes it easy to get from the Keskuspuisto “Central Park” to the north to the ferry terminals to the south, and from the bustling city center to the quiet fields and forests in the surrounding countryside – even to the islands of the archipelago.
City bikes
City bikes are a popular and convenient way of getting around the city in summertime. In 2021, there were no less than 3 500 yellow city bikes available from 241 bike stations south of the Kehä I ring road in Helsinki and Espoo. The most easterly bike station is in Vartioharju, and there are 109 bike stations in southeastern Espoo and Leppävaara.
By tram
Trams are a convenient way of getting around the city center. Tram 2 is the traditional sightseeing route, as it passes many points of interest along the way. You can also change into tram 3 at Eläintarha or Auroran sairaala stop and return to the city center. Other tram routes that are good for sightseeing include 4, which passes many architectural gems, and 6, which is perfect if you are interested in design. Carry a route map with you to help locate all the stops and points of interest.
Single tickets and day tickets can be purchased using the HSL mobile app or from HSL ticket machines, R-kiosks and many other sales points throughout the city. Tickets cannot be purchased from the driver on trams. Helsinki Card holders can travel free of charge on all trams.
By metro
Helsinki’s metro network operates from the city center to Espoo (M1 Matinkylä/M2 Tapiola) and East Helsinki (M1 Vuosaari/M2 Mellunmäki). To travel from end to end (Matinkylä to Mellunmäki, the world’s northernmost metro station) you will need an AB ticket, and the journey takes about 39 minutes. The metro is also a convenient way to get out of the busy city center and into the nature.
Single tickets and day tickets can be purchased using the HSL mobile app or from HSL ticket machines, R-kiosks and many other sales points throughout the city. Helsinki Card holders can travel free of charge on the metro.
By train
Helsinki Region Transport (HSL) operates commuter train services throughout the metropolitan area. Commuter trains depart from and arrive at Helsinki Central Station. Commuter trains are a convenient way to get to Pasila, for example, where Hartwall Arena and the Messukeskus Expo and Convention Center are located. You can also get to the tranquillity of Rhododendron Park (Alppiruusupuisto) in the Haaga district very quickly by commuter train (A, E, U or P).
Single tickets and day tickets can be purchased using the HSL mobile app or from HSL ticket machines, R-kiosks and many other sales points throughout the city. Tickets cannot be purchased onboard commuter trains. Helsinki Card holders can travel free of charge on all commuter trains.
Technical Excursion
A tour of Yara’s unique phosphate mining, beneficiation and chemical processing operations in Siilinjärvi is planned following the technical sessions. More information will be available in the coming months.
Media Sponsor
Sponsor Information
Package A: $2,500
• Half-page ad in program
• Name of Company on Sponsor List in Program
• Company Logo displayed on screen between sessions
Package B: $5,000
• Full page ad in program
• Sponsor a Coffee Break including poster display
• Name of Company on Sponsor List in Program
• Company logo & link on conference website
• Company Logo displayed on screen between sessions
• Company name and logo included in peer-reviewed conference book
Package C: $7,500
• Sponsor a Scientific Session or Workshop
• Full page ad in program
• Name of Company on Sponsor List in Program
• Company logo & link on conference website
• Company Logo displayed on screen between sessions
• Company name and logo included in peer-reviewed conference book
Package D: $10,000
• Full page ad in program
• Company information packet available in attendees’ registration materials
• Name of Company on Sponsor List in Program
• Company logo & link on conference website
• Company Logo displayed on screen between sessions
• Company name and logo included in peer-reviewed conference book
Kevin Korpics (kevin@engconfintl.org) (+1-212-514-6760) should be contacted for invoicing and other questions. Please make checks payable to:
Engineering Conferences International
Attn: Beneficiation of Phosphates Conference
32 Broadway, Suite 314
New York, NY 10004
Payment can also be made via wire transfer or credit card.
You must reference your company name and the conference title “Beneficiation of Phosphates IX” or code (21-AP) so the contribution can be identified. Thank you in advance.
Please note that none of the sponsor packages include any free or discounted registrations for attendees from sponsor companies.
General Information about ECI
Engineering Conferences International (ECI) is a not-for-profit, global engineering conferences program, originally established in 1962 that provides opportunities for the exploration of problems and issues of concern to engineers and scientists from many disciplines.
The format of the conference provides morning and late afternoon or evening sessions in which major presentations are made. Poster sessions will be scheduled for evening discussion as well. Available time is included during the afternoons for ad hoc meetings, informal discussions, and/or recreation. This format is designed to enhance rapport among participants and promote dialogue on the development of the meeting. We believe the conferences have been instrumental in generating ideas and disseminating information to a greater extent than is possible through more conventional forums.
All participants are expected both to attend the entire conference and to contribute actively to the discussions. The recording/photographing of lectures and presentations is forbidden. As ECI conferences take place in an informal atmosphere, casual clothing is the usual attire.
Smoking is prohibited at ECI conferences and conference functions.