CLIENT: Kagara
PROJECT: Thalanga Copper Mine
SCOPE OF WORK:
The dredge was used as a production dredge and materials were pumped directly to the grinding circuit for reprocessing. The operation required 50+% densities at a rate of 100tph.
Product: Copper / Lead Tailings
Specific Gravity: Sg 4.
Distance pumped: 800m
Pipe Line: PN16 200mm HDPE
TDH 54m
CHALLENGES FACED:
The Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) had been capped for quite a period and re-vegetation had begun. The dam was uncapped by way of Dozers and Excavators. During the process a large amount of rock was left behind and caused a number of pump blockages.
In addition the initial pH of the TSF was around 2. During the dredge process a significant amount of lime was used to raise the pH to 7+
The data output was able to determine the ingress of product by comparing surveys carried out 12 months apart.
Client received detailed technical report including volume curve.
ACHIEVEMENTS/OUTCOMES:
With constant pump blockages reducing up-time, it was decided a static screen and booster station should be used to increase production up-time. The project was largely successful, however a few redundancies such as a large surge bin and bigger pipeline may have reduced mill down time due to pump blockages.