Oxygen Use in Mining: Applications, Purity, and PSA/VPSA Oxygen Systems
Oxygen use in mining plays a critical role in improving gold recovery, increasing process efficiency, and maintaining stable plant operations. From gold leaching to wastewater treatment and furnace enrichment, oxygen is a key input across modern mining operations.
For many mine sites—especially remote operations—traditional oxygen supply methods such as delivered liquid oxygen create high costs, logistical challenges, and supply risks.
As a result, PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) and VPSA (Vacuum Pressure Swing Adsorption) oxygen systems are increasingly used to enable on-site oxygen generation in mining, improving both cost efficiency and supply security.
What Is Oxygen Used for in Mining?
Oxygen use in mining falls into two main categories:
- Ore processing and surface operations – typically using 90–95% oxygen
- Underground safety and medical systems – requiring regulated breathing-grade oxygen
For most processing applications, PSA/VPSA oxygen systems provide the ideal balance of purity, cost, and reliability.
Oxygen Use in Mining: Key Applications
1. Gold Leaching and Gold Processing
One of the most important applications of oxygen use in mining is in gold extraction.
Oxygen is used to:
- Increase dissolved oxygen in slurry
- Improve cyanide leaching efficiency
- Accelerate reaction kinetics
- Enhance recovery from refractory ores
- Increase plant throughput
When air injection is insufficient, oxygen enrichment becomes essential to maintain consistent metallurgical performance.
2. Water and Wastewater Treatment
Oxygen supports:
- Oxidation of contaminants
- Biological treatment systems
- Improved oxygen transfer efficiency
Reliable oxygen supply is critical for environmental compliance and process stability.
3. Furnace Enrichment and Combustion
Oxygen is used in:
- Oxy-fuel burners
- Furnace enrichment
- Metallurgical heating processes
Benefits include:
- Higher flame temperatures
- Reduced fuel consumption
- Improved process control
4. Ozone Generation and Oxidation
Oxygen improves ozone production efficiency, supporting:
- Advanced oxidation processes
- Water treatment systems
- Environmental management
Oxygen Purity in Mining Applications
A common misconception is that mining always requires high-purity oxygen. In reality, most applications are optimised for performance, not maximum purity.
Typical Oxygen Purity Levels
| Application | Oxygen Purity |
| Gold leaching | 90–95% |
| Wastewater treatment | 90–95% |
| Furnace enrichment | 90–95% |
| Ozone generation | 90–95% |
| Medical / breathing | 93% or 99%+ |
| Laboratory use | 99%+ |
Key Insight
For most mining processes, 90–95% oxygen from PSA/VPSA systems is sufficient and more cost-effective than higher purity alternatives.
Challenges with Traditional Oxygen Supply in Mining
Mining operations relying on delivered oxygen often face:
- High and variable supply costs
- Complex logistics in remote locations
- Dependence on third-party suppliers
- Storage and handling risks
- Supply interruptions impacting production
These issues directly affect operational reliability and profitability.
PSA and VPSA Oxygen Systems in Mining
PSA and VPSA technologies enable on-site oxygen generation, addressing the key challenges of traditional supply.
Benefits of PSA/VPSA Oxygen Systems
Lower Operating Costs
- Eliminates delivered oxygen costs
- Reduces transport and storage expenses
- Predictable long-term cost structure
Improved Supply Security
- Continuous oxygen production onsite
- No reliance on external supply chains
- Reduced downtime risk
Designed for Mining Conditions
- Operates reliably in remote environments
- Handles continuous industrial duty cycles
- Matches required purity (90–95%)
Scalability and Flexibility
- Adjustable output
- Modular expansion
- Adaptable to process changes
AirSep PSA/VPSA Oxygen Systems: Proven Mining Performance
Industry-leading AirSep oxygen systems are widely used in mining due to:
- Proven reliability in harsh environments
- Efficient oxygen generation performance
- Robust cyclic operation design
- Long service life with proper maintenance
These systems are particularly effective for gold leaching, oxidation, and process plant applications, where consistent oxygen supply is critical.
EHL Group: End-to-End Oxygen Generation Solutions
The success of oxygen use in mining depends on more than just equipment—it requires complete system integration and lifecycle support.
EHL Group delivers:
Engineering & Design
- Custom system sizing and configuration
- Integration with existing mining infrastructure
- Optimisation for flow, pressure, and duty
Build & Installation
- PSA/VPSA oxygen plants
- Skid-mounted or containerised systems
- Full site installation
Commissioning & Maintenance
- Performance testing and commissioning
- Preventative maintenance programs
- Ongoing service and optimisation
On-Site Oxygen Generation for Remote Mining Sites
Remote operations benefit most from PSA/VPSA systems due to:
- Reduced logistics complexity
- Increased operational independence
- Improved uptime and reliability
- Lower total cost of ownership
For many mining companies, on-site oxygen generation is now the preferred long-term strategy.
Process Oxygen vs Breathing Oxygen in Mining
Understanding this distinction is critical:
Process Oxygen
- Used in leaching, oxidation, and combustion
- Typically 90–95% purity
Breathing / Medical Oxygen
- Used in underground safety systems
- Must meet strict regulatory standards
These systems must be designed separately to ensure compliance and safety. Units generating breathing or medical oxygen must be registered in Australia in alignment with the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG)
Conclusion: Optimising Oxygen Use in Mining
Oxygen use in mining is essential for efficient and reliable operations, particularly in gold processing and surface plant applications.
For most use cases, PSA/VPSA oxygen systems delivering 90–95% oxygen provide the best balance of cost, performance, and reliability.
By adopting on-site oxygen generation, mining operations can:
- Reduce costs
- Improve supply security
- Increase process efficiency
- Minimise operational risk
With proven technology and full-service capability, EHL Group provides end-to-end oxygen solutions designed for real mining conditions.
FAQ: Oxygen Use in Mining
What oxygen purity is used in mining?
Most mining applications use 90–95% oxygen, particularly in gold leaching, wastewater treatment, and furnace enrichment.
Why is oxygen used in gold mining?
Oxygen improves cyanide leaching efficiency, increases recovery rates, and accelerates reaction kinetics.
What are PSA oxygen systems in mining?
PSA systems generate oxygen onsite using adsorption technology, providing cost-effective and reliable oxygen supply without deliveries.
Is high-purity oxygen required in mining?
No. Most applications do not require 99% oxygen—90–95% is typically sufficient and more economical.
What are the benefits of on-site oxygen generation?
On-site systems reduce costs, improve supply reliability, eliminate logistics challenges, and support continuous operation.
Contact your EHL specialist at: solutions@ehlsolutions.com
