The Use of Diagnostic Testwork and CIP/CIL Modeling to Improve the Metallurgical Performance at Two IAMGOLD Operations

摘要

A simple approach to optimizing the performance of an operating carbon in pulp (C1P) or carbon in leach (CIL) plant is presented. It is possible to reproduce the performance of an operating CIP or CIL plant in the laboratory, in small scale batch tests in which the rates of gold leaching and carbon adsorption are determined, coupled with mathematical models that translate the batch kinetic data into predicted steady state profiles of gold in solution and on the carbon across multi-stage adsorption circuits. Once the performance of the commercial plant has been mimicked by the model, the plant operating parameters can be varied systematically in the model, and the likely response of the plant to the stepwise change can be determined. In this way it is possible to inexpensively optimize the design of both greenfields CIP or CIL circuits and plant expansions, or optimize the operating parameters of an existing plant, with no disruption to plant operations and no economic risk to the mining company. This approach has been adopted by IAMGOLD Corporation, to the immediate benefit of two of their existing gold operations. The methodology adopted and the results achieved are presented.