HEAP LEACHING & SX
projects with Clough where we will be able to provide that integrated offering ,” Hillyer said . “ In the past , we could provide lump sum EPC contracts but were reliant on third-party providers for the installation part . Being part of the Murray & Roberts Group , that is no longer an issue .”
One project in the region where the company is already making its presence felt is Binduli in Western Australia . This heap leach operation will soon receive an automated tripper system , manufactured by TNT , that is set to be assembled and commissioned by the team . The tripper will interface between an overland conveyor and stacking system supplied by other companies at the Norton Goldfields-owned mine .
Nordgold adds to Gross stack
The completion of the Phase 1 expansion of mining and processing capacity at Nordgold ’ s flagship Gross mine in Yakutia , Russia , has seen ore throughput potential rise from 16 Mt / y to 18 Mt / y .
Launched in 2018 with nameplate capacity of 12 Mt / y , the Gross mine has developed quickly to become Nordgold ’ s largest mine , and one of the largest gold mining operations in the Sakha Republic .
The total capital expenditure of the Phase 1 of Gross expansion was approximately $ 50 million , 15 % lower than initially planned . Capital expenditure savings were achieved due to innovative engineering decisions , construction materials costs optimisation and lower than planned mining fleet cost , it said .
The Phase 1 expansion consisted of the installation of additional processing equipment including a new 22 m stacker , three adsorption columns , five new pumps and all associated infrastructure and services . The stacker was manufactured by Moscow-based Stacker LLC , with the design carried out by its US subsidiary , Stacker Conveyors LLC .
Stacker LLC , meanwhile , says it is in the process of assembling what it claims is the biggest heap leach telestacker in the world , coming in at 85 m long ( pictured above ).
Work on the feasibility study for the Gross Phase 2 expansion project to increase mining capacity to 26 Mt / y is on schedule and expected to be completed by the end of 2021 . The production expansion at Gross is anticipated to add some 130,000 oz / y of gold production once Phase 2 is completed in early 2024 , thereby increasing the Gross mine annual production to approximately 350,000 oz .
TNT , which originally supplied the entire heap leach ( on-off pad and waste stacking system ), says Gross is the only heap leach operating at -50 ° C . The company is currently supporting Lycopodium and Nordgold on the Gross Phase 2 expansion project feasibility study .
In addition , Nordgold continues development of the new Tokko project , adjacent to the Gross mine . It is expected that the project feasibility study will be completed by the end of 2021 , with construction beginning in 2022 .
As a result , by 2025 the Gross Region will contribute over 50 % of Nordgold ’ s production .
Tech testbed
In recent years , Capstone Mining ’ s Pinto Valley mine in Arizona , USA , has acted as a testbed for many technologies coming through the innovation pipeline , as the mine owner looks to boost output from a mine it acquired from BHP back in October 2013 .
Chief among these is Jetti Resources ’ patented catalytic technology , which allows for the efficient and effective heap and stockpile leach extraction of copper .
This technology uses a catalyst which disrupts the passive layer that forms during leaching of primary sulphides and allows the leaching solution to contact the surface of the mineral . This enables the extraction of the metal to take place unimpeded .
A proof of concept of this technology was demonstrated in a test application at an existing dump leach at Pinto Valley , with the results providing impressive results – during the first year of the partnership with Jetti , cathode production per area irrigated doubled .
This has seen Capstone Mining make plans to deliver up to 350 MIb ( 158,757 t ) of copper cathode over the next 19 years from dump leach operations at Pinto Valley amenable to Jetti ’ s technology .
The company is also studying the potential to include increased use of this leaching technology to reduce waste tonnes in its mine plan .
Pinto Valley is , like many of Jetti ’ s potential clients , looking to further utilise its existing SX- EW plant .
EPC for Winder Upgradation
Vedanta Limited , a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Limited , is the world ' s leading Oil & Gas and
Metals company , and one of the largest producers of Oil & Gas , Zinc , Lead , Silver , Copper , Iron Ore , Steel , and Aluminum & Power across India , South Africa , Namibia , and Australia . Hindustan Zinc Ltd ( HZL ), a subsidiary of Vedanta Limited in Zinc-Lead-Silver-Wind Energy business and the world ' s leading producer of Zinc , invites expression of interest from reputed partners and technical service providers who are willing to be a part of the capacity enhancement project . At Zawar Mines we have Production Keope Winder , currently having the hoisting capacity of 0.6MTPA and needs to be enhancedto 0.9 MTPA . We are looking for experienced global partners for this growth journey . Deliverables for the project ( 1 ) Technical recommendations for system upgradation ( 2 ) Upgradation of the Production Winder with capacity enhancement ( 3 ) Upgradation of Conveying Systems with automation and interlocks ( 4 ) Design risk assessments for the system and recommendations ( 5 ) Erection , Procurement and Commissioning of the project . Interested equipment / technology vendors having relevant experience of winders and their upgradation can submit the expression of interest at the below given mail id with following details : Company profile , Experience details , Operating details , Work executed , Client references , Completion time , Order value and Present work commitment within 30 days of the release of this advertisement . Head Commercial Zawar Group of Mines , 313901 Hindustan Zinc Limited Mobile No . - + 919829499194 , Email : amit . ajeet @ vedanta . co . in
22 International Mining | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021