GeoProMining LLC (GPM) successfully increased recovery from sulphide concentrates in its Ararat plant from 20% to over 95%, defying expectations and targets.

The plant was commissioned in June 2014 and achieved full capacity after three months. The design recovery of gold from the Albion residue was 92% but the plant frequently achieves over 95% recovery with an overall plant-wide design recovery of 86% but commonly achieving 88%. The refurbishment project was commissioned in June 2014, with ramp-up occurring for the remainder of 2014. The plant has achieved and exceeded nameplate production, treating in fact 120,000 t/pa concentrate with an overall production of 120,000 oz./y. Further, GPM successfully achieved an overall 88% plant-wide recovery exceeding the 86% design target due to better than design performance in the Albion Process. The grade of concentrate has been more or less stable, and increased production might normally be expected to decrease as equipment is stretched. In GPM’s case, it has successfully kept recovery above design using the Albion Process.

GPM is currently evaluating an expansion project comprising a second line of an Albion Process plant.

(Edited article from International Mining, January 2018)