M Powell, C Bozbay, S Kanchibotla, B Bonfils, A Musunuri, V Jokovic, M Hilden, J Young, E Yalcin
SAG Conference Vancouver, Canada September 22 – 26, 2019
ABSTRACT
In expanding the mine to process considerably more competent ore sources, this semi-autogenous-ball mill-crusher (SABC) circuit with a single ball mill is not just throughput constrained but will shift to being permanently ball mill limited. The application of a fully integrated processing objective that relies on close cooperation between mine, dispatch, and mill is required to address this challenge. Moving beyond the general perception of mine–to-mill, a deeper processing knowledge is applied along the mining chain, considering blasting as the first stage of comminution and recovery. Grade deportment and dilution are considered at the mining stage and modelled with the new Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI) blast movement simulator, linking with the block model data. Based on field trials, blast design and blending strategies are developed to couple with new operating strategies at the mill.
It has been found that accounting for blast movement for the higher intensity blasts could generate additional value of over $1 million per high-intensity blast. Strategies to shift the workload and debottleneck the milling circuit were proposed and proven during the milling trials, demonstrating an increase in throughput of 16% is achievable. A number of process improvement opportunities, including changing the semi-autogenous (SAG) mill control strategy, have been identified to enhance current productivity and ensure long-term capability to process the considerably more competent future ores. In a departure from traditional once-off applications of mine-to-mill changes, on-site technology transfer is being embedded in online tools to sustain advanced mine-to-mill capability in the daily planning and operation.
Keywords
Mine-to-mill, grind curves, model-informed process control
AUTHORS
M Powell(1), C Bozbay(2), S Kanchibotla(1), B Bonfils(1,3), A Musunuri(4), V Jokovic(1), M Hilden(1), J Young(2), E Yalcin(2)
1. JKMRC, Sustainable Minerals Institute, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4068, Australia
2. Barrick Cortez Mine, Elko, Nevada, USA
3. Hatch Engineering, 61 Petrie Terrace, Brisbane City QLD 4000
4. JKTech, Indooroopilly, Brisbane, Queensland, 4068, Australia
(*Corresponding author:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Tremendous support of Barrick and Cortez Management in having faith in this process. The dedicated work of many Cortez staff, especially over the surveys, where the laboratory staff outdid themselves in dedication and quality of work during the survey and in meticulous sample processing. We would also like to acknowledge the permission of Barrick and Cortez mine to publish the work and spread the ideas and value across the industry.
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