3594 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
performed hydraulic transient and water balance analyses
on selected pipelines and systems.
Examples of large grinding circuit layouts are shown in
Figures 13 and 14.
EQUIPMENT SIZE CHANGE OVER TIME
Figure 15, 16 and 17 show the changes in mill and flotation
size over time that has addressed the continually trend of
treating higher throughputs with lower plant feed grades.
Single large diameter 40 ft diameter SAG mills dominate
the high throughput plants accompanied with 27 ft and
28 ft diameter ball mills. In the next one to two years, there
will likely be 42 ft Autogenous or Semi-Autogenous mills
coming on line.
Along with the mill size growth over the past few
decades, similar advancement in the flotation cell size has
occurred. Larger flotation cells offer benefits such as higher
throughput per unit volume, reduced costs per unit of pro-
duction, improved recovery rates, and better overall process
control. The change in cell size is reflected below with the
largest cells now at 660 m3. This can be seen in Figure 17.
It’s worth noting that advancements in technology,
such as improvements in materials of construction, design
features, degree of automation and digital twinning have
all contributed to the optimization of the larger equipment
sizes, making them more efficient and reliable.
Note: Grinding circuit plan view—two bay arrangement, from Bechtel Resources Projects
Figure 13. Grinding circuit plan view
performed hydraulic transient and water balance analyses
on selected pipelines and systems.
Examples of large grinding circuit layouts are shown in
Figures 13 and 14.
EQUIPMENT SIZE CHANGE OVER TIME
Figure 15, 16 and 17 show the changes in mill and flotation
size over time that has addressed the continually trend of
treating higher throughputs with lower plant feed grades.
Single large diameter 40 ft diameter SAG mills dominate
the high throughput plants accompanied with 27 ft and
28 ft diameter ball mills. In the next one to two years, there
will likely be 42 ft Autogenous or Semi-Autogenous mills
coming on line.
Along with the mill size growth over the past few
decades, similar advancement in the flotation cell size has
occurred. Larger flotation cells offer benefits such as higher
throughput per unit volume, reduced costs per unit of pro-
duction, improved recovery rates, and better overall process
control. The change in cell size is reflected below with the
largest cells now at 660 m3. This can be seen in Figure 17.
It’s worth noting that advancements in technology,
such as improvements in materials of construction, design
features, degree of automation and digital twinning have
all contributed to the optimization of the larger equipment
sizes, making them more efficient and reliable.
Note: Grinding circuit plan view—two bay arrangement, from Bechtel Resources Projects
Figure 13. Grinding circuit plan view