coalition for eco-efficient comminution. vision to accelerate implementation of eco-efficient...
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VisionTo accelerate implementation of eco-efficient comminution strategies through promotion of
research, data and industry benefits
Patron Owen Hegarty G-Resources Group
BoardChair Elizabeth Lewis-Gray Gekko
SystemsDirector Prof Tim Napier-Munn JKMRC Director Dr Wayne Stange AMIRADirector Dr Mike Daniel CMD ConsultingDirector Dr Zeljka Pokrajcic Worley Parsons
Comminution Energy Consumption
4 – 9% Australia’s electricity consumption
30 – 40% total mine
Source: CSRP Eco-Efficient Liberation – Outcomes and Benefits 2003-2010
Comminution Energy Consumption
CO2 contributions for the stages of copper concentrate production, Source: Norgate and Haque, 2010
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
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1999 Leinster Nickel Operations CO2 Emissions
Sulphur
Kerosene
Coke
LPG
Petrol
Diesel
Electricity
NaturalGas
Typical site comminution energy footprint
Source Le Nause, Temos 1992
• Understand mineral and gangue liberation characteristics
• Reject gangue or recover mineral in crushing step, prior to milling
• Recover mineral or gangue at coarsest particle size
• More crushing less grinding• Utilise new and more energy
efficient technologies
Eco Efficient strategies
Selection of the coarsest possible grind size
Energy & grind size
1.E-01
1.E+00
1.E+01
1.E+02
1.E+03
1.E+04
1.E+05
1.0E-02 1.0E-01 1.0E+00 1.0E+01 1.0E+02 1.0E+03 1.0E+04
Particle Size (micron)
En
erg
y (k
Wh
/t)
Source: Hukki RT, 1961
More crushing – less grinding
• Ball mills only apply 5% of energy used to particle size reduction
• Fine crushing is more energy efficient
• Very low power consumed in supporting systems such as pumping and conveyors
• Blasting– Optimise fragmentation to maximise
fines in ROM ore– “Bricks and mortar”
• Screening:– ahead of, and in, the grinding circuit
• Gangue Rejection• Pre-concentration• Concentration
Improved ore presentation and flow sheets
• Fine crushing– VSI– HPGR
• Fine Screening• Ore Sorting• Gravity – continuous & batch
– InLine Pressure Jig– Centrifugal Concentrators
• Coarse Flotation
Improving technologies
New flowsheet with gangue rejection
• Recovery increased by maximising gravity recovery, finer grind, increased head grade to process plant.
Unit: CONVENTIONALWITH
PRECONC. Change:
Material Treated: Mt 21 21Grade:Au g/t 0.82 0.82
Contained Au: oz 554,000 554,000Gangue Rejection: Mt - 10
g/t - 0.13oz - 41,150
Process Plant Feed: Mt 21 11g/t 0.82 1.45oz 554,000 512,850
Production: oz 415,000 435,900 5%Process Plant Recovery: 74.9% 85.0%
Overall Recovery: 74.9% 78.7%Average Processing Power Demand: MW 68 50 -27%
Energy Effi ciency for gold produced MWhr/oz 1.44 1.01 30%Energy Effi ciency for ore treated: kWhr/t 28.5 20.9 27%
Benefits of New Process for site
• Lower Capital Cost for Greenfields Installation• Net reduction in energy consumption• Increased gold recovery• Increased gold production• Reduced $/oz operating cost of gold produced
CEEC Linked In Discussions
• Ore sorting• Microwave technology• Blasting techniques• Comminution research• Conference blogs