PFsimMineral process workspace
Steady stateInitialise dynamicsRun simulation ▷CONCEPT
Copper circuit.pfsim Development concept
PFsim by PATFIO Consulting Illustrative workspace · No solver connected
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Better process decisions.
Your entire process.
Step inside a
Change the feed.
One process.
From a process question
01 / SOFTWARE 02 / ENGINEERING 03 / CAPABILITY Built around the questions
Explore applications ↗01 02 03 04 Bring us your next
Prepare your study.
Licensing & distribution enquiries ↗Your process.
One process.
Connected workflows.
01 02 03 04 05 06 Bring us your next
Engineering detail.
Start with the
01 02 03 04 05 06 Bring us your next
Engineering insight.
01 02 03 04 05 06 Define. Model. Investigate.
01 02 03 04 Bring us your next
A shared language.
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 Bring us your next
A future licence.
01 02 03 04 Help bring PFsim
Bring us your next
05 06 07 Build the skills behind
01 02 03 Bring us your next
A stronger basis
Getting started Product information Commercial information Learning Start with the question.
Bring us your next
A clear place
Engineering roots.
Developing technology
Bring us your next
Your next process decision
Engineering. Software.
Email
info@patfio.co.zwYour enquiry.
Explore the plant.
MINERAL PROCESS TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERINGZIMBABWE · SOUTH AFRICA · GLOBAL OUTLOOK
Introducing a new chapter for PATFIO
Better process decisions.
Built on simulation.
Mineral process engineering meets proprietary technology. Meet PFsim, the simulation platform in development at PATFIO Consulting.
ENGINEERED IN AFRICA. DEVELOPED WITH GLOBAL AMBITION.
The PFsim experience · Concept preview
Your entire process.
Multiple perspectives.
A vision of connected flowsheets, dynamic trends and engineering reports. Interface concept with illustrative data; not a released PFsim screen.
Dynamic responseTrend window
Feed changeProcess response
Synthetic normalised values
Stream detailsS-03
Classification feed ILLUSTRATIVE
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Solids flow | 125.0 | t/h |
| Water flow | 83.3 | t/h |
| Solids concentration | 60.0 | wt% |
| Temperature | 25.0 | °C |
| P80 | 150 | µm |
Example values · No plant prediction
Explore the layered workspace. Select a window to bring it into focus.
Discuss the PFsim vision ↗Explore beyond the flowsheet
Step inside a
mineral-processing plant.
Orbit PATFIO’s three-dimensional plant concept. Inspect mills, cyclones, flotation and dewatering equipment, with connected process piping.
Launch the Mineral Explorer ↗Illustrative equipment and motion. A promotional view of the original PATFIO Explorer.
Explore the process response
Change the feed.
See why dynamics matter.
Illustrative first-order response using synthetic data. This educational interaction is not the PFsim engine or a validated plant model.
ORE FEEDFeed variability
PROCESSInventory & response
RECOVERYProduct response
Steady state: the normalised response remains at 100. Initialise to establish the starting state.
Normalised response: 100.0 · Baseline = 100
Proprietary technologyPFsim by PATFIO
Engineering expertiseMining, metallurgy & EPCM
Connected thinkingDesign through operation
Practical partnershipStudies, learning & support
Our flagship technology
One process.
A deeper understanding.
PFsim is being developed to connect flowsheet modelling, process analysis and dynamic simulation in a shared engineering environment.
Our direction is simple: help engineers investigate how a process performs—and how it responds when conditions change.
Explore the PFsim vision ↗PRODUCT IN DEVELOPMENT
PFsim
A PATFIO simulation platform
01 Build a steady-state flowsheet
02 Initialise the dynamic model
03 Investigate the process response
Intended product workflow. Availability will be confirmed by release.
Technology backed by engineering
From a process question
to an informed decision.
Work with PATFIO to develop models, examine operating options and build your team’s capability.
PFsim platform
Discover our proprietary simulation programme and discuss your organisation’s future requirements.
Explore PFsim ↗Specialist consulting
Process modelling, design support and optimisation studies for minerals projects and operating plants.
Explore engineering ↗Learning & implementation
Practical training and model development support, with PFsim learning programmes planned alongside release.
Explore the Academy ↗Across the minerals value chain
Built around the questions
your industry asks.
Mining operations
Understand variability, investigate bottlenecks and evaluate improvement options.
Metallurgical plants
Examine recovery, process interactions and resource use.
Engineering & EPCM
Support flowsheet decisions and strengthen the basis for design.
Universities & research
Connect engineering fundamentals with practical process modelling.
Let’s move your process forward
Bring us your next
engineering challenge.
Discuss a process study, explore PFsim’s development programme or plan simulation capability for your team.
Talk to PATFIOKnowledge that supports adoption
Prepare your study.
Plan your next step.
Explore study preparation, product information and proposed commercial pathways.
Explore resources ↗Licensing & distribution enquiries ↗
PFsim by PATFIO
Your process.
A clearer picture.
A proprietary mineral process simulation platform in development, informed by practical engineering questions.
Our flagship technology
One process.
A deeper understanding.
PFsim is being developed to connect flowsheet modelling, process analysis and dynamic simulation in a shared engineering environment.
Our direction is simple: help engineers investigate how a process performs—and how it responds when conditions change.
Explore the PFsim vision ↗PRODUCT IN DEVELOPMENT
PFsim
A PATFIO simulation platform
01 Build a steady-state flowsheet
02 Initialise the dynamic model
03 Investigate the process response
Intended product workflow. Availability will be confirmed by release.
Development direction
Connected workflows.
Engineering depth.
These are development objectives, not a list of commercially released features. Demonstrations, supported models and validation evidence will be confirmed for each release.
Flowsheet modelling
Develop a common process representation for material balances, stream analysis and engineering scenarios.
Native dynamics
Move from a steady-state solution to dynamic simulation on the same flowsheet, with inventories, disturbances and controls.
Mineral process detail
Develop coverage for particle size, ore variability, recovery and process chemistry where the model scope supports it.
Process applications
Build capability across comminution, separation, leaching and metallurgical process systems.
Engineering information
Connect process inputs, stream results and reporting to support traceable engineering decisions.
Evidence-led release
Define supported workflows, publish limitations and build benchmark evidence as capabilities mature.
Product availability
A clear path to release.
Current stage
PFsim is under development. This website accepts product and licensing enquiries.
Evaluations & demonstrations
Contact PATFIO to discuss your intended application and the availability of a suitable demonstration or pilot.
Commercial release
Pricing, release dates, system requirements, licence terms and supported features have not yet been published here.
Let’s move your process forward
Bring us your next
engineering challenge.
Discuss a process study, explore PFsim’s development programme or plan simulation capability for your team.
Talk to PATFIOExplore the development scope
Engineering detail.
Connected by one flowsheet.
Each category describes intended coverage; individual models and interfaces require release-specific confirmation.
FlowsheetsDevelopment direction +
Material, energy and water balances; metal accounting; common stream reporting.
Ore & particlesDevelopment direction +
Particle-size distributions, grade, mineralogy and hardness variability.
MetallurgyDevelopment direction +
Recovery and conversion; chemistry, pH, temperature and speciation where appropriate.
DynamicsDevelopment direction +
Tanks, sumps, stockpiles, heaps, ponds and CIL/CIP inventories; events and disturbances.
Controls & integrationDevelopment direction +
Native control blocks; planned DCS/OPC, Excel, mine-schedule and PFD/P&ID workflows.
Equipment coverageDevelopment direction +
Crushers, mills, screens, cyclones, flotation, leach, CCD, SX/EW, crystallisation and thermal processes.
Release readiness
What must be confirmed before commercial use?
Supported unit operations, independent benchmark evidence, known limitations, system requirements, installation, licence delivery and support scope.
What is the development sequence?
Model development and verification, technical validation, scoped evaluations, then commercial release readiness. Dates and completion claims are not published here.
Industry solutions
Start with the
engineering question.
PATFIO supports process investigations for mining companies, metallurgical operations, engineering teams and research organisations.
Comminution & classification
Investigate throughput, particle-size targets and circuit constraints through an agreed modelling study.
Discuss a circuit study ↗Hydrometallurgy & recovery
Study process balances, recovery assumptions and the interactions between leaching, separation and solution handling.
Discuss your process ↗Heap-leach systems
Define the information needed to investigate stacking schedules, extraction profiles and solution inventories.
Discuss a heap-leach study ↗Pyrometallurgy
Examine material and energy requirements and compare process scenarios within an agreed technical scope.
Discuss a thermal process ↗Plant dynamics & controls
Investigate changing feed conditions, operating transitions and control strategies using an appropriate modelling approach.
Discuss a dynamic study ↗Engineering design & research
Evaluate flowsheet choices, test assumptions and create a documented basis for further engineering.
Discuss your project ↗These areas describe PATFIO’s engineering enquiry scope. PFsim support for an individual process or unit operation must be confirmed separately.
Let’s move your process forward
Bring us your next
engineering challenge.
Discuss a process study, explore PFsim’s development programme or plan simulation capability for your team.
Talk to PATFIOPATFIO Engineering
Engineering insight.
Practical progress.
Specialist modelling and engineering support for process development, plant improvement and technical decision-making.
Process modelling
Develop an agreed representation of your process, document assumptions and examine scenarios against project objectives.
Plant optimisation
Investigate bottlenecks, operating constraints and improvement opportunities using engineering and process data.
Design & EPCM support
Support flowsheet assessment, process balances and design verification within a clearly defined assignment.
Dynamic studies
Explore process response, inventory behaviour and control strategies where appropriate to the project.
Model review
Review model structure, input data, assumptions and results to identify gaps and strengthen traceability.
Capability development
Build practical modelling skills through guided project work and training tailored to your technical team.
How we work
Define. Model. Investigate.
Validate. Deliver. Transfer capability.
Define
Agree the question, available information, scope and deliverables.
Model
Build the process representation and document its assumptions.
Investigate
Evaluate scenarios and review results against the study objective.
Deliver
Present findings, limitations and practical engineering recommendations.
Let’s move your process forward
Bring us your next
engineering challenge.
Discuss a process study, explore PFsim’s development programme or plan simulation capability for your team.
Talk to PATFIODefine the technical scope.
Mass, energy and water balances
Discuss the process boundary, data availability, model requirements and expected deliverables with PATFIO. Suitability is established for the specific assignment.
Comminution and classification
Discuss the process boundary, data availability, model requirements and expected deliverables with PATFIO. Suitability is established for the specific assignment.
Hydrometallurgy and heap leaching
Discuss the process boundary, data availability, model requirements and expected deliverables with PATFIO. Suitability is established for the specific assignment.
Pyrometallurgy
Discuss the process boundary, data availability, model requirements and expected deliverables with PATFIO. Suitability is established for the specific assignment.
P&ID and control-strategy validation
Discuss the process boundary, data availability, model requirements and expected deliverables with PATFIO. Suitability is established for the specific assignment.
Digital twins, operator training and commissioning support
Discuss the process boundary, data availability, model requirements and expected deliverables with PATFIO. Suitability is established for the specific assignment.
Industry applications
A shared language.
Across the minerals industry.
Explore how PATFIO’s engineering approach can support your organisation.
Mining companies
Understand ore variability, production constraints and improvement options.
Discuss your requirements ↗Mining companies
Understand ore variability, production constraints and improvement options.
Metallurgical operations
Examine recovery, inventories and interactions across a processing plant.
EPCM organisations
Compare flowsheets and strengthen the engineering basis for project decisions.
Engineering consultancies
Develop modelling capability and explore future team licensing.
Technology providers
Discuss model integration and technical collaboration.
Universities & research
Connect teaching and research with practical mineral-process modelling.
Government & minerals development
Explore technical capability and resource-development studies.
Application interests include gold, copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese and other critical minerals. Specific project experience and model coverage are confirmed during scoping.
Let’s move your process forward
Bring us your next
engineering challenge.
Discuss a process study, explore PFsim’s development programme or plan simulation capability for your team.
Talk to PATFIOCommercial enquiries
A future licence.
Matched to your work.
Tell us how your organisation intends to use PFsim. We will discuss suitability, release availability and commercial requirements.
Planning your adoption
Let’s find the right fit.
Proposed customer categories below guide the conversation. Final licence products, features and prices remain subject to commercial release.
Individual
For independent engineers and individual practitioners exploring PFsim.
Enquire as an individual ↗Team
For consultancies and technical teams planning multiple users.
Discuss team licensing ↗Enterprise
For mining groups and EPCMs with implementation, procurement and support requirements.
Talk enterprise ↗Academic
For universities, teaching programmes and research groups.
Discuss academic use ↗No licence purchases or payments are accepted on this site at present. Evaluation availability, commercial terms and delivery commitments must be agreed with PATFIO.
Distribution & partnerships
Help bring PFsim
to your market.
Interested in a future reseller, implementation or academic partnership? Tell us your territory, sector experience and customer-support capability.
Partnership enquiries are welcome. Acceptance, territory rights and commercial terms require a separate agreement.
Discuss a partnershipYour licensing questions.
Can I purchase or download PFsim now?
Commercial purchasing and public downloads are not available through this website. Contact PATFIO to discuss the current development programme.
Will there be annual or perpetual licences?
The commercial model has not been finalised on this site. Include your preference in your enquiry so PATFIO can consider your procurement needs.
Will PFsim support offline or concurrent licensing?
These arrangements must be confirmed against the released licensing system. Tell us whether offline access, multiple workstations or shared team access is a requirement.
What will be included in support and maintenance?
Support scope, updates, onboarding and renewal terms will be defined in the applicable quotation and agreement.
Let’s move your process forward
Bring us your next
engineering challenge.
Discuss a process study, explore PFsim’s development programme or plan simulation capability for your team.
Talk to PATFIOAdditional commercial discussions
Professional
Discuss your intended specialist workflows and procurement needs.
Enquire ↗Government
Discuss institutional access and technical capability requirements.
Enquire ↗Distribution & implementation
Discuss your territory, customer base and ability to deliver local support.
Enquire ↗From first conversation to continuing support
Discover → Demonstration → Technical fit assessment → Quotation → Agreement → Licence provision → Onboarding → Support → Renewal
Future commercial journey, subject to release readiness and agreed terms.
Knowledge & capability
Build the skills behind
better process decisions.
Practical learning for engineers, metallurgists and technical teams.
Corporate training
Discuss an engineering learning programme tailored to your team, process and experience level.
Enquire about training ↗PFsim learning programme
Register interest in future PFsim onboarding, tutorials and guided modelling programmes as releases become available.
Register learning interest ↗Project-based learning
Develop process-modelling understanding through scoped practical work and coaching.
Discuss coaching ↗PFsim courses and certifications are not yet open for enrolment here. Ask PATFIO about current training availability and future PFsim programmes.
Let’s move your process forward
Bring us your next
engineering challenge.
Discuss a process study, explore PFsim’s development programme or plan simulation capability for your team.
Talk to PATFIOA planned learning progression.
Onboarding & fundamentals · Planned PFsim programme
Installation orientation, interface navigation and first model development.
Advanced modelling & dynamics · Planned PFsim programme
Process detail, scenarios, inventory response and control concepts.
Corporate & university programmes · Planned PFsim programme
Structured learning aligned with organisational and teaching objectives.
Certification direction · Planned PFsim programme
Assessment and certification criteria will be defined before any certification offering is advertised.
Knowledge & resources
A stronger basis
for your next decision.
Explore practical study preparation, PFsim product direction and learning opportunities.
Preparing for a process-modelling study
Available guide
Read more ↗PFsim development direction
Development overview
Read more ↗Planning your PFsim adoption
Enquiries open
Read more ↗Corporate modelling programmes
Enquiries open
Read more ↗Publications to follow.
Application notes & technical articles · Planned publication
Process-specific material will be published when technically reviewed.
Case studies & benchmark reports · Planned publication
Only approved project evidence and verified model comparisons will be published.
Demonstration videos & webinars · Planned publication
Confirmed demonstrations will be added when suitable material is available.
Release notes, documentation & requirements · Planned publication
These resources will identify the applicable software version and known limitations.
Practical engineering guide
Start with the question.
Then assemble the evidence.
A concise preparation guide for discussing a modelling assignment with PATFIO.
Define the decision
Explain what decision the study should support, the options being compared and the measures of success.
Describe the process
Assemble current flowsheets, equipment descriptions, operating modes and the boundaries of the proposed study.
Identify available data
List stream measurements, assays, particle-size distributions, equipment data and operating histories. Record sampling dates and measurement uncertainty where known.
Describe changing conditions
For dynamic work, identify relevant inventories, feed changes, control objectives and the timescales of interest.
Agree the evidence needed
Discuss calibration, independent checks, acceptable limitations and which results must be supported before making a decision.
Plan the deliverables
Agree reports, model files, training, review stages and the intended use of the final results.
Let’s move your process forward
Bring us your next
engineering challenge.
Discuss a process study, explore PFsim’s development programme or plan simulation capability for your team.
Talk to PATFIOSupport & product information
A clear place
to get help.
Discuss an existing PATFIO engagement or ask about PFsim availability and future support.
Speak with PATFIO.
For project support, include your organisation, engagement reference and a short description of your question. Please avoid including confidential plant data in an initial enquiry.
Prepare a support enquiryPFsim release resources
Downloads
Public installers are not available here yet.
Documentation
Release-specific documentation will accompany supported product availability.
Release notes
Published releases will identify features, changes and known limitations.
Licence activation
Activation guidance will be provided with an eligible licence.
Our company
Engineering roots.
Technology ambition.
PATFIO Consulting brings process engineering, simulation and technical capability development together for the minerals sector.
The next chapter
Developing technology
from engineering purpose.
Registered in Zimbabwe and South Africa, PATFIO Consulting works with mining companies, metallurgical operations and engineering organisations on process modelling and optimisation.
Our next chapter centres on PFsim: a proprietary platform under development to support mineral-process understanding and engineering analysis.
Consulting, implementation and learning remain central to how we help organisations apply simulation in practice.
Leadership
Eng. Patrick Chesa
Managing Director · PATFIO Consulting
Patrick’s work spans process engineering, simulation, project support and practical technical training. This experience informs PATFIO’s approach to software development and engineering delivery.
Our aim is to turn process understanding into clearer decisions, supported by transparent assumptions and an appropriate technical scope.
Connect with PATFIOLet’s move your process forward
Bring us your next
engineering challenge.
Discuss a process study, explore PFsim’s development programme or plan simulation capability for your team.
Talk to PATFIOContribute to the next chapter.
Discuss technical collaboration, academic partnerships or your interest in future engineering and software opportunities.
Express your interest ↗Let’s talk
Your next process decision
starts with a conversation.
Discuss PFsim, commercial licensing, engineering services or a future partnership.
Contact PATFIO Consulting
Engineering. Software.
Shared ambition.
Tell us what you are working on, and we can discuss an appropriate next step.
Phone & WhatsApp
+263 777 002 574Registered presence
Zimbabwe · South Africa
Book a consultation ↗PFsim is under development. Product enquiries do not create a purchase, confirmed evaluation place or delivery commitment.
Site information
Your enquiry.
Your choice.
How this website handles the information you enter.
Enquiry forms
This website prepares a message in your email application or WhatsApp. Form information is not submitted to a website database. PATFIO receives the information only when you send the prepared message.
Provide only information relevant to your enquiry. Please do not include sensitive plant information, passwords or payment details. Email and WhatsApp process messages under their own service terms.
Contact and privacy requests
For questions about information you have shared with PATFIO, or to request a correction or deletion, email info@patfio.co.zw.
Website operation
This site does not set marketing cookies or use visitor analytics added by PATFIO. The hosting provider may process technical connection data needed to serve and secure the site. This embedded website uses system fonts. Systeme.io hosts the surrounding page under its own policies. External booking and messaging services operate under their own policies.
PFsim product information
PFsim is under development. Product direction, proposed applications and potential licensing arrangements shown here are subject to change. No commercial licence, performance warranty or release commitment is offered through this website. Confirmed scope and terms must be agreed separately with PATFIO.
Illustrative imagery
The homepage plant image is an AI-generated illustration. It does not depict a PATFIO client site or a PFsim software screen.
PATFIO Mineral Processing Explorer
Explore the plant.
Understand the connections.
Inspect the original PATFIO copper-concentrator concept in three dimensions. Equipment motion and readings are illustrative, not live plant data or PFsim calculations.
Choose Launch 3D plant to load the interactive model. Drag to orbit; use the zoom buttons to move closer. The equipment list offers keyboard access.
PATFIO · Mineral Processing Explorer
11 equipment assemblies · Connected process systems
11 equipment assemblies · Connected process systems