SAG and HPGR comparative testing aimed at selection of optimal process for Udokan copper plant of 45Mtpa throughput

A.Y. SENCHENKO & Y.V. KULIKOV 

Udokan copper deposit reserving over 26 million tons of copper is the largest copper deposit in Russia and one of the largest in the world. The deposit is located in a hard-to-reach area of the Siberian region; nevertheless, construction of a processing plant designed for throughput of 45 Mtpa is planned in the coming years.

A well-founded and rational choice of comminution circuit is the key aspect for design of plants with such a high throughput, since OPEX on comminution may exceed 50% of the total plant expenditures. This paper presents the data from comparative testing of possible comminution circuits as well as grounds for the rational circuit for implementation at Udokan project. The testing indicated that the ores from Udokan deposit were highly resistant to semi-autogenuos grinding, but they could be efficiently processed by HPGR. On the strength of all the data obtained, a process circuit involving ore crushing in HPGR was recommended for implementation at Udokan copper deposit.

AUTHOR DETAILS

A.Y. Senchenko - Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Y.V. Kulikov

LLC “Science-Research and Design Institute TOMS”