In 2018 a three-stage crushing circuit coupled with two XRT ore sorters were installed. The ore sorting circuit contains a triple deck dry screen for initial classification, a wet screen for secondary classification and feed preparation, two XRT ore sorters targeting different size fractions, and an EM sorter to separate waste into Non-Acid Forming (NAF) and Potentially Acid Forming (PAF) waste.
Challenges such as processing multiple ore sources and variable operating conditions require agile planning and clear operating strategies. Tools utilised to achieve this are:plant surveys including mass balances and process modelling, monitoring of particle size delivered to the ROM and fed to the crushing circuit, ROM pad management and blending based on grade, particle size distribution and amenability to XRT sorting.
This paper will explore these tools in conjunction with good Mine to Mill and Geo-metallurgy practices in order to overcome challenging conditions and deliver value and process successfully at 1Mt/a rates
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank and acknowledge Bluestone Mines Tasmania Joint Venture for permission to publish this paper. We also wish to thank the Processing and Maintenance staff at Renison for their input and efforts throughout the optimisation program. Special thanks to Scott Gleeson (Shift Supervisor) for operational insights, Steve Robinson (Group Project Manager) for historical project notes and Johan Welmansand Justen Resta(Processing ManagerandGroup Metallurgist) for theirsupport during plant trials and subsequent operational strategy development, communication and execution
Authors
B Wraith1, J Resta2 and J Welmans3
1.Senior Metallurgist, Bluestone Mines Tasmania JV, Zeehan Tas7469
2. Technical Manager -Metallurgy, Bluestone Mines Tasmania JV, Zeehan Tas7469
3. Processing Manager, Bluestone Mines Tasmania JV, Zeehan Tas7469