WORLD PROSPECTS
Orica’ s LeachIT harnesses big data for gold recovery analysis
Maximising gold recovery relies on constant adjustment of variables throughout the process, often without the necessary tools to quantify and react in a timely manner. The inability to respond to this variability undoubtedly has a cost to the industry, but how much?
In 2014, Orica began a concerted effort to use big data to define‘ best practice’ gold processing, specifically relating to cyanide leach systems. Top-down information from published recoveries was collected and combined with Orica’ s intelligence database. As a result the scale of global gold losses was estimated to be in the order of US $ 16- 20 billion at a gold price of $ 1,200 / oz. Additionally, based on observed experience at the time, Orica estimated the scale of‘ avoidable losses’( defined as solution losses plus gold leachable in a 24 hour bottle roll on process plant tailings) to be in the range of US $ 2-5 billion globally.
Since 2014, Orica’ s Cyanide Customer Solutions team has visited and / or analysed detailed operational data from over 50 sites globally; validating the industry estimates above, determining the drivers behind the losses, and developing tools to offer insights that will accelerate capture of these losses. Orica has recently developed and released LeachIT™ to assist customers in identifying shortcomings at site and confidently predict the recovery impacts of process changes and variability. LeachIT is a software platform that allows metallurgists to see how their process will respond to changes without time-consuming and expensive experiments.
Orica’ s LeachIT™ process simulation software user interface
An Orica LeachIT™ process simulation software consultation
Weir to buy ESCO and lead wear parts market
LeachIT simulates changes to the process and shows the impact on tails grade. The adjustments could be based on feed, tank, or tail measurements; alternatively, they may involve changes to the physical plant such as quickly simulating a tank going offline for maintenance. The software harnesses this information to not only calculate but also visualise gold recovery and cyanide consumption. Rapid scenario modelling of commonly observed process changes is brought to life through an easy to use digital interface, giving Orica’ s customers and site teams a clearer understanding of the benefits that any proposed changes will bring to their operations.
Orica Cyanide Customer Solutions Lead, Peter Leckie said:“ We aim to take our customers’ operations data and combine it with our expansive global cyanide process data gathered over time, and then interpret that data into insights, delivered visually so that our customers can make more rapid and confident decisions. The LeachIT simulation software simply provides a tool to empower the people who know your process best.”
The simulation software can be harnessed to provide insights for a one-off exercise or installed onsite to allow discovery of insights on an ongoing basis. This way customers can continually turn everyday information and data into actionable insights that can impact the bottom line. www. orica. com
Weir Group has entered into a binding agreement to acquire ESCO Corporation, the US company based in Portland, Oregon, for an equity value of $ 1.051 billion and an estimated enterprise value of $ 1.285 billion. ESCO is the global market leader in highly engineered GET for surface mining and construction.
ESCO is a global business with 10 manufacturing facilities, 6 foundries and 22 service and supply centres in 19 countries around the world, with its core strength in North America, representing 52 % of its revenue. Weir said:“ This compares with Weir’ s unrivalled global minerals equipment service network, with approximately 100 service centres delivering a presence close to every major mine site in the world. Operating in more than 42 countries covering all key regions, just 22 % of Weir Minerals revenue comes from North America.”
Weir stated:“ Leveraging Weir’ s global network will significantly increase the number of direct customer relationships available to ESCO. The ESCO business will also provide strong support for Weir’ s growing comminution offering, with an extensive footprint and dealer network in North America representing a clear opportunity for Weir’ s crusher portfolio. ESCO will accelerate Weir’ s portfolio development through the expansion of Minerals aftermarket opportunities.
The business designs, and manufactures highly engineered GET used primarily in surface mining, with one-third of ESCO revenues from construction. ESCO’ s GET includes cutting edge wear parts such as teeth, shrouds, adaptors, blades and locking systems that are installed on the lip systems of mission critical mining equipment. The business has chosen to focus on its core strengths in GET and has divested and exited a number of non-core activities in the last five years. ESCO’ s customers include the leading global mining companies with ESCO product installed on some 40 % of large primary mover machines. ESCO GET typically last significantly longer than rival products and are easier to maintain and replace. The innovative Nemisys ® lip system and Ultralok ® mining tooth system are more reliable, improve wear life and reduce downtime.”
The statement continued:“ ESCO is a 105 year old family business that shares Weir’ s values and priorities. It has achieved a leadership position by consistently delivering high quality products to its customers, underpinned by innovation that has resulted in some 1,800 patents and the development of a world-class innovation centre in
Portland. In the last three months, Weir has had extensive access to the ESCO leadership team, facilities and shareholders as part of a highly collaborative process. The equity consideration will enable ESCO shareholders to benefit from the success of the combined business, and the high quality and long-standing ESCO team will join Weir.”
The acquisition has been approved by the Board of Directors of Weir and is not subject to Weir shareholder approval. The transaction is expected to complete in early Q3 2018. www. global. weir; www. escocorp. com
4 International Mining | MAY 2018