Yamana Gold is a Canadian-based gold producer, with mines and operations in Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Chile. The Chapada open pit gold-copper mine in Brazil began production in 2007. Outotec delivered an extremely fast turnaround, minimizing production losses and increasing recovery while improving the availability and energy efficiency of the flotation cells.

The project scope included Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) studies, basic and detailed engineering, shutdown planning, delivery of proprietary equipment, turn-key installation, commissioning, assisted operation and advanced training of on-site personnel. Outotec’s manufacturing and service workshop in Guarapari, Brazil, gave additional benefits and flexibility to this project.

Benefits of the turn-key retrofit project included:

• Greater stability and control of flotation cells allowing for increased process optimizatio
• Significantly decreased energy consumption with Outotec cells (40%)
• Minimised production losses during installation and commissioning, second bank shutdown took only 6 days instead of planned 11
• Minimised sanding increases flotation circuit availability, leading to increase production
• Improved flotation performance, recovery of both copper and gold.