3598 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
The tracking of progress is critical, and to be effective
at some level is necessary to analyze leading indicators, job
walks, engagement on technical issues, continuous com-
munications with those responsible for the work.
CONCLUSION
There are a number of influential factors that define the
design and layout of the concentrator and some specific
examples have been illustrated above. Design considerations
should be considered in the early study phases with contin-
ued optimization as the project advances through to imple-
mentation. Site locations continue to be more challenging
and the associated infrastructure costs of the project more
than out way the processing facility and equipment itself.
This paper illustrates some of the most influential factors to
be taken into account as well as examples of designs from a
number of well executed high performance copper concen-
trators located throughout the world. In the past few years
the equipment sizes have not changed significantly and are
a controlling limitation in determining the concentrator
capacity. Some alternative circuit designs can be expected in
the next few years including new comminution approaches
and potential new downstream technology adjustments.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors would like to thank and acknowledge the
management of Bechtel Mining and Metals for their
co-operation and preparation of this paper. The authors
would like to thank the Critical Minerals and Operational
Excellence Centre of Excellence team in Santiago together
with a number of construction staff representatives across
the various projects discussed in the paper.
REFERENCES
[1] D G Meadows, G.Naranjo, G.Bernstein, C.Jimenez
A review and update of the grinding circuit perfor-
mance at the Los Pelambres Concentrator, Chile,
SAG 2011, Vancouver 2011.
[2] S Bird, CJ Robison, R W Harper, A M Berges—
Copperton Concentrator Fourth Line expansion,
plant performance to date and ongoing continuous
improvement projects, SME publication 1995.
[3] D G Meadows and I Callow—Grinding Plant Design
and Layout Considerations, Mineral Processing
Plant Design, Practice and Control, Proceedings,
Vancouver, Two Volumes, October 2002.
[4] J Petruska Escondida Phase IV Expansion Project—
SAG and Ball Mills—SAG Mill Trommel, FFE
Minerals Internal Communication February 2, 2000.
[5] J.M.Berkoe, K.K.Knight et al., “CFD Modeling Of
Slurry Conveyance and Distribution in Concentrator
Grinding Circuits” SME Annual Meeting, Denver,
CO, Feb. 2001.
Note High Level Schedule example with early works activities, from Bechtel Resources Projects
Figure 18. High Level Schedule example
The tracking of progress is critical, and to be effective
at some level is necessary to analyze leading indicators, job
walks, engagement on technical issues, continuous com-
munications with those responsible for the work.
CONCLUSION
There are a number of influential factors that define the
design and layout of the concentrator and some specific
examples have been illustrated above. Design considerations
should be considered in the early study phases with contin-
ued optimization as the project advances through to imple-
mentation. Site locations continue to be more challenging
and the associated infrastructure costs of the project more
than out way the processing facility and equipment itself.
This paper illustrates some of the most influential factors to
be taken into account as well as examples of designs from a
number of well executed high performance copper concen-
trators located throughout the world. In the past few years
the equipment sizes have not changed significantly and are
a controlling limitation in determining the concentrator
capacity. Some alternative circuit designs can be expected in
the next few years including new comminution approaches
and potential new downstream technology adjustments.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors would like to thank and acknowledge the
management of Bechtel Mining and Metals for their
co-operation and preparation of this paper. The authors
would like to thank the Critical Minerals and Operational
Excellence Centre of Excellence team in Santiago together
with a number of construction staff representatives across
the various projects discussed in the paper.
REFERENCES
[1] D G Meadows, G.Naranjo, G.Bernstein, C.Jimenez
A review and update of the grinding circuit perfor-
mance at the Los Pelambres Concentrator, Chile,
SAG 2011, Vancouver 2011.
[2] S Bird, CJ Robison, R W Harper, A M Berges—
Copperton Concentrator Fourth Line expansion,
plant performance to date and ongoing continuous
improvement projects, SME publication 1995.
[3] D G Meadows and I Callow—Grinding Plant Design
and Layout Considerations, Mineral Processing
Plant Design, Practice and Control, Proceedings,
Vancouver, Two Volumes, October 2002.
[4] J Petruska Escondida Phase IV Expansion Project—
SAG and Ball Mills—SAG Mill Trommel, FFE
Minerals Internal Communication February 2, 2000.
[5] J.M.Berkoe, K.K.Knight et al., “CFD Modeling Of
Slurry Conveyance and Distribution in Concentrator
Grinding Circuits” SME Annual Meeting, Denver,
CO, Feb. 2001.
Note High Level Schedule example with early works activities, from Bechtel Resources Projects
Figure 18. High Level Schedule example