OBJECTIVES

Optimising gold recovery unit processes (gravity recovery, gold leaching and carbon adsorption) is the best short-term prospect for improving profitability for gold operations. Modelling/simulation packages of these unit processes are useful tools for assessing options for plant optimisation or reconfiguration: to improve gold recoveries and/or reduce operating and capital costs. Another valuable application is that these packages can also be used to capture and transfer existing industry knowledge, which is particularly important with the current shortage of experienced plant metallurgists.

Tools for simulating gravity circuits and leaching/adsorption in carbon-in-leach (CIL)/carbon-in-pulp (CIP) were developed in previous projects (a CRC-funded project and the AMIRA P420B “Gold Processing Technology” project). The leaching/adsorption model (SIMCIL) has been successfully applied commercially, with SIMCIL used to assess the performance of leach/adsorption circuits in over 20 gold operations to date. However, this model is limited to standard CIL/CIP circuits and relatively simple, non-complex gold ores.

Further evolution of the modelling packages is required because the ore bodies being processed are becoming more mineralogically complex and circuit configurations are becoming more varied. Therefore this project aims to extend the capabilities of the SIMCIL package by:

• incorporating a carbon column (heap leach) option
  
• evaluating alternative leaching/adsorption models as possible additions to SIMCIL
  
• developing laboratory procedures for obtaining calibration data for greenfields site assessments
  
• improving the “diagnostic” option that assists site metallurgists by identifying problems in existing circuits and recommending possible improvements
  
• evaluating the potential of directly linking SIMCIL with an expanded gravity/flotation model.

In parallel to this project, the AMIRA P420C "Gold Processing Technology" project is undertaking more sponsor-specific development of SIMCIL, which is related to the processing of high silver and copper ores, and preg-robbing ores.

INDUSTRY BENEFITS

• advanced software tools to assist in optimising existing gold plant processes (gravity recovery, cyanide leaching and carbon adsorption) and practices, and to use in plant design.

RESEARCH TEAM
Mr Greg Wardell-Johnson (Project Leader)
Mr Troy Banks
Mr Alan Bax
Mr Bill Staunton

RESEARCH COLLABORATION
Murdoch University
Biz AnyWare

PROJECT DURATION
2006-2008