WORLD PROSPECTS
Metso Outotec ticks the TCO box with latest HRC
The design and operating principle of
Metso Outotec ’ s HRC high pressure grinding roll has been well proven since going commercial in 2014 . The elimination of the edge effect with a flange design brings with it high throughput , while the anti-skew assembly means customers find faster machine restarts and no downtime from skewing events .
These benefits have been proven at Freeport McMoRan ’ s Morenci mine , in Arizona , USA , with the company ’ s largest unit – a HRC 3000 – having now processed more than 120 Mt of ore at that operation . This HRC 3000 is still going strong .
Yet , there was room for improvement , hence the reason Metso Outotec has just released the HRC™e HPGR .
Christoph Hoetzel , Head of Grinding business line at Metso Outotec , explained the rationale for such an update .
“ To enable this flange technology , it was very important to have a simple , mechanical solution that works under any circumstances ,” he told IM . “ Our solution with the HRC was the arch frame , which was a mechanical fix to keep the rolls parallel at all times .
“ This , however , came with a compromise . You had to have access to both sides of the machine and , in general , the units were relatively heavy and tall .”
These attributes meant that , if the customer investigated the total installed cost of the HRC – especially if they were weighing the purchase of more than one unit – the cost sometimes outweighed the benefits .
“ This was a case of where the economics did not match the sustainability and efficiency of the unit ,” Hoetzel said .
Antioquia Gold Inc recently provided a
summary of September 2020 production results for its Cisneros gold mining operation in Colombia which included some news of a major narrow vein mining fleet investment . The project is located in the central portion of the department of Antioquia , roughly 55 km northeast of Medellin .
“ As we anticipated , production for the month decreased slightly due to mechanical issues in the process plant and the low mechanical availability of the mining equipment . The difficulties in the process plant have already been overcome and we are reinforcing the current mining fleet with eight new units of equipment that will allow us to reach the production goals we have projected ,” stated Gonzalo de Losada , President and CEO of Antioquia Gold .
The company has selected Cat dealer , Soledadbased Relianz Mining Solutions to provide a new fleet of Resemin and Cat underground mining equipment with favourable financing terms . Delivery and commissioning of equipment is taking
Metso Outotec has listened to customer feedback with the HRCe .
“ The enabling factor for the flange technology is a mechanical solution for eliminating skewing on the machine ,” Hoetzel said . “ We have now achieved this with a much simpler , compact design . This is really where the step change has come from .”
Now , when you look at the specifications of the HRCe , which comes with a large feed size acceptance of 60-120 mm and typical capacities of 1,810-6,930 t / h , the footprint is almost the same as other HPGRs on the market , according to Hoetzel .
“ Yet , the unit benefits from the proven and reliable flange design of the original HRC ,” he said . “ You could , potentially , even use a smaller unit for the same application .”
By reducing the size and associated installation
cost that comes with the HRC technology , Metso Outotec is suddenly levelling the HPGR playing field . The advantages the company spelt out back in 2014 when the HRC technology was originally publicised now come with no cost drawbacks .
Antioquia upgrades narrow vein fleet
place over the next four months . Relianz stated : “ From the Cisneros project , our client Antioquia Gold launches its first Muki of the allied brand Resemin . Through this important alliance Relianz Mining Solutions delivers to underground operations versatile equipment designed to meet the challenges of our Colombian geology .”
Resemin told IM that Antioquia Gold has chosen the Muki FF and the SFL35 LHD as key machines in its new production fleet for Cisneros . A total of seven Resemin machines were ordered , including its two boom Troidon 66XP drilling jumbo . “ With over 135 units sold , the Muki has established itself as the most popular jumbo for narrow vein mining . The Muki comes in several types such as Muki FF for face drilling , three different models for production long hole and Muki Bolter for roof bolting in very small sections . Another important milestone in this narrow mining niche has been the launch of our scoop SFL35 which comes with a tramming capacity of 3.5 t and a width of 1.4 m .”
The SFL35 is significant as it is the first locally
With more miners looking for not only energyefficient grinding solutions in their flowsheets , but processing options that reduce their water intake , HPGRs are increasingly being used in tertiary or quaternary crush applications , or in lieu of traditional SAG mills .
In this regard , an updated HPGR is coming to the market at just the right time .
Metso Outotec , cognisant of this trend , has also sought to offer the benefits of its HPGR technology to the wider market . The mechanical skew control HPGR ( High Pressure Grinding Roll ) retrofit kit takes the key components responsible for minimising skew from the HRC and makes the technology more accessible without the major investment or need to acquire a new machine , according to the company . The technology can also be incorporated into non-Metso Outotec machines .
These latest product updates are in keeping with Metso Outotec ’ s defined purpose of “ enabling sustainable modern life ”, fitting the mineral processing reality that miners face today . Hoetzel reinforced this message : “ Customers should not have to choose between sustainability and lowest total cost of ownership with their machines . At Metso Outotec , we truly want to be the partner for positive change , which means we really need to combine both . “ With the HRCe , we think we have achieved that .” www . mogroup . com
made design of the Schopf , Germany mining LHD product line after the Peruvian company took over all of Schopf ’ s activities outside of Europe from owner Goldhofer in 2017 . This included all non- European production operations as well as international sales and service . www . antioquiagoldinc . com ; www . resemin . com
6 International Mining | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020