The following is a listing of published success stories of plants using various elements of Metcom’s Grinding Process Management System to realize efficiency improvements in their grinding operations. Please contact Metcom for more information on these and other examples of how Metcom works with operations to deliver world class mineral grinding performance.
- Selbaie Mines, copper concentrator
A 20% grinding circuit efficiency improvement was demonstrated through improved media sizing / selection. - “Use of Functional Performance Analysis for Plant Grinding Media Testing and Selection.” Proceedings of Cobre ’91 International Symposium, Ottawa, Canada. PP. 145-155.
- Quebec Cartier Mines, iron ore pellet plant
A 9% grinding circuit efficiency improvement was demonstrated through improved media sizing / selection.
“Comparative Efficiency Determinations of Open Circuit Ball Milling at la Compagnie Miniere Quebec Cartier.” CIM Bulletin, July-August, 1994, PP. 69-70. - Selbaie, Kidd Creek, Gibraltar, & Dome, milling operations
An average 6% rod mill efficiency improvement was measured at these operations through adjustment of rod mill feed water addition rate. - “Performance Improvements in Industrial Rod Milling Operations.” CIM Bulletin, March, 1995, PP. 90-91.
- Kidd Creek Mines, base metal concentrator
Grinding circuit operating time, and overall circuit profitability, was increased after conducting a circulating load tradeoff study. - “Plant Performance Improvements Using Grinding Circuit ‘Classification System Efficiency” Mining Engineering, Sept., 2014, PP. 72-76.
- Gibraltar Mine, copper concentrator
Overall plant tonnage was increased by 5% following pump and cyclone adjustments.
“Plant Performance Improvements Using Grinding Circuit ‘Classification System Efficiency’ .” Mining Engineering, Sept., 2014, PP. 72-76. - Strathcona, nickel concentrator
A 7% grinding circuit efficiency improvement was realized through replacement of cyclones with modern, “high-efficiency” cyclones.
“Pump and Cyclone Design/Optimization to Maximize Grinding Circuit Efficiency.” Proceedings of Annual Meeting of Canadian Mineral Processors, 2011, PP. 521-535. - Tulawaka, gold ore mill
Addition of a thickener following the ball mill circuit allowed for increased water use at the cyclones. This resulted in 6-11% finer grind and 2% higher gold recovery with no additional milling energy.
“Plant Performance Improvements Using Grinding Circuit ‘Classification System Efficiency’ .” Mining Engineering, Sept., 2014, PP. 72-76. - Tilden, iron ore concentrator
Optimization of pebble mill percent solids resulted in 5% improvement in mill grinding efficiency.
“Systems Approach to Grinding Improvements at the Tilden Concentrator.” Mining Engineering, Feb., 2000, PP. 41-47. - Tilden, iron ore concentrator
Optimization of pebble sizing in secondary grinding resulted in a 12% increase in grinding circuit efficiency.
“Effect of Smaller Media Size on Pebble Mill Circuit Grinding Efficiency.”‘ Proceedings of ASISC 2014 Annual Meeting, Michigan Technical University, Houghton, USA - A Major Gold Operation
SAG-ball milling circuit adjustments resulted in a 25% increase in grinding circuit efficiency.
“Efficiency Metrics for Identifying and Remediating Plant Grinding Performance Issues.” 2015 Conference on (Semi-) Autogenous Grinding, Vancouver, Canada. - Barrick Goldstrike, gold roasting facility
Media sizing improvements in a dry, dual-compartment ball mill contributed to a 25% increase in tonnage.
“Grinding Circuit Improvements at Barrick Goldstrike’s Roaster Facility.” Proceedings of Annual Meeting of Canadian Mineral Processors, 2003, PP. 71-83. - Brunswick Mine, base metal concentrator
Grinding media sizing and selection improvements led to a 30% increase in circuit productivity.
“Millpebs Testing at Brunswick Concentrator.” Proceedings of Annual Meeting of Canadian Mineral Processors, 2006, PP. 263-280.