XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 3593
of Iquique where the molybdenum plant is located. Both
concentrate, copper and molybdenum are stored, distrib-
uted by trucks and shipped. Bechtel designed the original
dual line SAG and Ball mill plant and the third line with a
single 40 ft SAG Mill and ball mills.
Influencing Factors in the Design
There are a number of influencing factors that contribute to
how the design of the concentrators are developed. Specific
examples include:
• Site contour information
• Establishing plant locations
• Relative positioning to utilities and logistical
placement
• Maximizing the use of gravity where possible.
• Footprint
• Influence of appliance of new technology
• Future expansion
• Climatic conditions and location
• Environmental and regulatory requirements
• Maintenance and housekeeping.
Bechtel’s qualifications and experience in process facilities
for copper concentrating include design and construction
for crushing and screening, materials handling, storage,
grinding, the transport of slurries, and water supply. In
the case of the crushing and screening circuit. Bechtel has
designed and built primary crushing plants for more than
five decades. During recent years, the design of large crush-
ing and handling equipment has evolved to in-pit crush-
ing facilities that are relocatable, semi-movable or portable.
Some of Bechtel’s experience in design and construction
of relocatable are semi-movable and skid mounted in-pit
crushing plants using mainly gyratory crushers.
As in practically all mining, copper concentrating begins
and ends with materials handling, and much of the cost,
scheduling, design, equipment, installation, and logistical
issues depend on good materials handling strategies. With
this firmly in mind, Bechtel has devoted much of its experi-
ence and research into exploring materials handling options
that range from every size and configuration of conveyor to
vehicle transport by rail, ship, and truck. Bechtel has been
responsible for the design, procurement, and installation of
overland conveyors for copper/molybdenum concentrator
projects, gold mill projects, and other mineral processing
facilities. As production capacities and feed demand have
increased, materials handling requirements have grown,
and the equipment for both materials handling and crush-
ing systems has correspondingly increased in size to handle
larger plant throughputs. Bechtel’s designs are known for
incorporating the latest technology and careful attention
to detail to provide reliable service for these high capacity
systems.
In Grinding Circuits, Bechtel experience covers autog-
enous (AG) and semi-autogenous mills (SAG) up to 40 ft
diameter with a 32,200 hp gearless drive, and ball mills
up to 26 ft diameter with twin 22,000 hp motors con-
ventional gear drives and gearless, wraparound drives and
sleeve and pad type journal bearings and the lubrication
systems which accompany them.
In the water supply system, Bechtel has designed
water supply and transport systems for copper/molybde-
num concentrators, gold mills and other mineral process
plants in conjunction with the overall design of those facili-
ties. Included in the design are reclaim facilities, pipelines,
pump stations, water treatment facilities, communications
systems, and control systems. In addition to conventional
analysis of water systems facilities Bechtel’s engineers have
Note: Collahuasi Concentrate and conveying systems, from
Bechtel Resources Projects
Figure 11. Collahuasi concentrate plant
Note: Collahuasi Concentrate and conveying systems, from
Bechtel Resources Projects
Figure 12. Collahuasi Concentrate plant
of Iquique where the molybdenum plant is located. Both
concentrate, copper and molybdenum are stored, distrib-
uted by trucks and shipped. Bechtel designed the original
dual line SAG and Ball mill plant and the third line with a
single 40 ft SAG Mill and ball mills.
Influencing Factors in the Design
There are a number of influencing factors that contribute to
how the design of the concentrators are developed. Specific
examples include:
• Site contour information
• Establishing plant locations
• Relative positioning to utilities and logistical
placement
• Maximizing the use of gravity where possible.
• Footprint
• Influence of appliance of new technology
• Future expansion
• Climatic conditions and location
• Environmental and regulatory requirements
• Maintenance and housekeeping.
Bechtel’s qualifications and experience in process facilities
for copper concentrating include design and construction
for crushing and screening, materials handling, storage,
grinding, the transport of slurries, and water supply. In
the case of the crushing and screening circuit. Bechtel has
designed and built primary crushing plants for more than
five decades. During recent years, the design of large crush-
ing and handling equipment has evolved to in-pit crush-
ing facilities that are relocatable, semi-movable or portable.
Some of Bechtel’s experience in design and construction
of relocatable are semi-movable and skid mounted in-pit
crushing plants using mainly gyratory crushers.
As in practically all mining, copper concentrating begins
and ends with materials handling, and much of the cost,
scheduling, design, equipment, installation, and logistical
issues depend on good materials handling strategies. With
this firmly in mind, Bechtel has devoted much of its experi-
ence and research into exploring materials handling options
that range from every size and configuration of conveyor to
vehicle transport by rail, ship, and truck. Bechtel has been
responsible for the design, procurement, and installation of
overland conveyors for copper/molybdenum concentrator
projects, gold mill projects, and other mineral processing
facilities. As production capacities and feed demand have
increased, materials handling requirements have grown,
and the equipment for both materials handling and crush-
ing systems has correspondingly increased in size to handle
larger plant throughputs. Bechtel’s designs are known for
incorporating the latest technology and careful attention
to detail to provide reliable service for these high capacity
systems.
In Grinding Circuits, Bechtel experience covers autog-
enous (AG) and semi-autogenous mills (SAG) up to 40 ft
diameter with a 32,200 hp gearless drive, and ball mills
up to 26 ft diameter with twin 22,000 hp motors con-
ventional gear drives and gearless, wraparound drives and
sleeve and pad type journal bearings and the lubrication
systems which accompany them.
In the water supply system, Bechtel has designed
water supply and transport systems for copper/molybde-
num concentrators, gold mills and other mineral process
plants in conjunction with the overall design of those facili-
ties. Included in the design are reclaim facilities, pipelines,
pump stations, water treatment facilities, communications
systems, and control systems. In addition to conventional
analysis of water systems facilities Bechtel’s engineers have
Note: Collahuasi Concentrate and conveying systems, from
Bechtel Resources Projects
Figure 11. Collahuasi concentrate plant
Note: Collahuasi Concentrate and conveying systems, from
Bechtel Resources Projects
Figure 12. Collahuasi Concentrate plant