Avgold - Target Division - Post Audit on the Knelson Concentrator
Gerald E Olivier, Plant Manager - Avgold, Target Division
November 2nd, 2001
During August 1999, the decision was taken to discontinue the operation of the Flotation Plant at the Loraine Metallurgical Plant. The decision was based purely on economics and the fact that the Flotation Section presented a source of lock-up gold.
This resulted in a decrease in overall plant recovery of 6%, from 95% to 89%.
In view of the new Target Metallurgical Processing Plant and the decrease in recovery on the old Loraine Plant, the option to install a Knelson Concentrator was investigated.
Experimental work conducted during the feasibility study of the new Metallurgical Plant indicated that the Target ore contains approximately 40% liberated, free gold.
The possible savings on cyanide and lime formed part of the project.
A capital Vote 0176 was prepared submitted and approved. Construction started during July 2000, which was completed during September 2000. The Knelson Concentrator was commissioned on the 12 September 2000.
The following parameters were set for the Knelson Concentrator Project:
| |
Planned |
Actual |
| Total Capital Cost |
R 742 073 |
R 702 113 |
Increase in Gold
Recovery % |
1.50% |
3.0% |
| Commissioning |
August 2000 |
September 2000 |
| Pay Back Period |
4 months |
1 month |
Final commissioning date was the 12 September 2000.
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