Development of a pyrite regrind circuit at Telfer Gold Mine

Burns, F., Seaman, D. R., Peng, Y. and Bradshaw, D. J. (2012). Development of a pyrite regrind circuit at Telfer Gold Mine. In: Peter Hills (Conference Chair), Proceedings: 11th AusIMM Mill Operators' Conference 2012. 11th AusIMM Mill Operators' Conference 2012, Hobart, Tasmania, (45-52). 29-31 October 2012.

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Author Burns, F.
Seaman, D. R.
Peng, Y.
Bradshaw, D. J.
Title of paper Development of a pyrite regrind circuit at Telfer Gold Mine
Conference Paper Type Fully Published Paper
Conference name 11th AusIMM Mill Operators' Conference 2012
Conference location Hobart, Tasmania
Conference dates 29-31 October 2012
Proceedings title Proceedings: 11th AusIMM Mill Operators' Conference 2012
Editor Peter Hills (Conference Chair)
Place published Carlton, Victoria
Publisher AusIMM: Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
Publication date 2012
ISBN 9781921522734
Start page 45
End page 52
Total pages 8
Collection year 2013
Language eng
Formatted Abstract/Summary Telfer Gold Mine is a gold-copper mine in the eastern Pilbara of Western Australia, owned and
operated by Newcrest Mining Limited. Telfer's ores are processed by a dual train, 21 Mtja,
concentrator where gold is primarily recovered by gravity concentration and the flotation of a
gold-bearing copper concentrate. A minor portion of Telfer's gold is also recovered to a pyrite
concentrate that undergoes treatment via carbon-in-leach (CIL} cyanidation. The gold recovery of
the CIL circuit is below the industry standard and operates with a high reagent consumption rate.
     With a new fine-grinding facility, the Telfer process plant will have the ability to liberate copper
and gold from the pyrite concentrate and recover these by flotation prior to the existing leaching
circuit. This process will improve overall gold and copper extraction, while reducing reagent
consumption in the CIL circuit.
     This article is an overview of the development of this methodology. Size-by-size analysis and
mineralogical studies of monthly composites identified factors limiting the OL gold recovery and
the causes of high reagent consumption. Laboratory studies confirmed a relationship between
the regrind product size and gold leach recovery. The addition of an intermediate flotation stage
ensured that the regrind circuit will improve overall recovery while at the same time reducing
operating costs. Without the addition of a flotation stage, the additional reagent consumption from
regrinding alone would be prohibitive towards increasing recovery. Pilot scale studies confirmed
the conditions required to selectively recover gold and copper from the pyrite concentrate as well
as establishing the full scale regrinding energy requirements. Construction of this facility at Telfer
is currently underway.
Q-Index Code E1
Q-Index Status Confirmed Code
Institutional Status UQ

Document type: Conference Paper
Sub-type: Fully Published Paper
Collections: Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre Publications
Official 2013 Collection
 
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Created: Mon, 05 Nov 2012, 14:44:18 EST by Karen Holtham on behalf of Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre