GOLDEN
FIRESTONE
A PYRITE-GOLD COMPANY
Dapusala, Lenjo
Gerasta, Kristine Joy
Gorres, Novei Almane
Magno, Gin Derick
Mordeno, Chelsea
MISSION
To establish a sustainable gold production, impart environmental
stewardship and develop individuals skills being its focal points.
VISION
Equality in Progress.
GRINDING CIRCUIT
Before a deeper discussion on the grinding circuit, it is important to
establish given values. The reserve is said to be 400 mega tonnes with an
estimated life span of 10 years, which implies an 110,000 TPD production,
and a head grade of 0.8gpt Au and contains 4% sulfur. The ore is found to be
composed of 20% free gold, 40% locked in pyrite and 40% in gold solution
with pyrite. Moreover, the liberation size of pyrite is 250 microns and free
gold can be liberated at 150 microns. In the context of grinding, it is to be
executed using a semi-autogenous grinding mill (SAG) with 90% availability.
Complete list of assumptions for the grinding circuit is given in the table
below.
ASSUMPTIONS
Angle of
Repose
..
Aspect
Ratio
Run-of-Mine
Feed.
.
P80
..
Work
Index
.
Abrasive
Index
..
Bulk Density of
Ore
VALUE
35%
1.5
150
mm
300
m
13.5
0.38
1.8
GRINDING CIRCUIT. Submitted to Engr. Enrico Nera, Lecturer. Page 4 of 4
Specific Gravity of
2.8
Ore
Pulp
Density 65%
Mill
Loading 45%
Ball
..
15%
Ore
..
15%
Voids
..
Bulk Density of
Balls.
Ball
Diameter
.
5%
4.6
5 in
As reflected in the table, the ROM feed has been assigned at 150 mm
and is received by a rom bin. Rom bin (feeder bin) is fed by chutes delivering
ore under gravity. The ore then travels into a short apron feeder before
reaching the conveyor which in turn directs the ore to a surge bin. In here the
ore can either be stockpiled or fed into the SAG mill. The stockpile is
calculated to have a diameter and height of 112.47 x 39.37m. The SAG mill
is in a closed circuit with a series of hydro-cyclones and the overflow (OF) is
sent to concentration tanks.
Technically, semi autogenous grinding mill (SAG) is an autogenous mill
that utilizes steel balls and the ore itself as media as opposed to autogenous
mills (AG) which employs the ore only. The main advantages of SAG mills are
GRINDING CIRCUIT. Submitted to Engr. Enrico Nera, Lecturer. Page 4 of 4
their lower capital cost, the ability to treat a wide range of ore type including
sticky and clayey feeds, relatively simple flowsheets, the large size of
available equipment, lower manpower requirements and reduced grinding
media expense.
In determining the dimensions for SAG the following equation by
Loveday is utilized:
kWNET = PN c D2.5 L
(1)
Where; kWNET is derived from Bonds equation
PN depends on the mill load
c is mill charge density
D and L, are effective diameter and length respectively
The c is calculated through the use of equation (2).
c =
v
balls
v
balls +
v
TOTAL
v
v
ore
v
%voids
ore 1
v
100
TOTAL
v
+ pulp
( %voids
100 )
(2)
Using Bonds equation (3) the power required to reduce 150mm to 300
microns is 7.45kWh/t.
W=
10 W i 10 W i
P
F
(3)
Where, Wi is the work index
P is product size in microns
F is feed size in microns
From these equations, assumptions and calculated values, the SAG mill
dimension is calculated to be 1.42 x 0.95m. Substituting the diameter to
GRINDING CIRCUIT. Submitted to Engr. Enrico Nera, Lecturer. Page 3 of 4
equation (4), the critical speed is determined to be approximately 37
rev/min. However, the SAG should be operated only at 74-80% critical speed
to ensure cataracting which produces coarser end product and to lessen
wear on the liners. Moreover, the SAG should be installed with a variable
speed drive to accommodate changes in ore characteristics.
Nc =
42.3
Dd
(4)
Where, Nc is critical speed in rev/min
D is diameter of mill
d is diameter of media
GRINDING CIRCUIT. Submitted to Engr. Enrico Nera, Lecturer. Page 4 of 4
