Tag Archives: CIP

Gekko Systems releases Mark 6 Carbon Scout sampling system for CIL, CIP plants

2nd February 2022Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Mining services, Precious metalsCarbon Scout, CIL, CIP, Gekko, gold, Gruyere, Ity, XRFDaniel Gleeson

The team at Gekko Systems has announced the release of its next-gen Mark 6 Carbon Scout solution.

The Carbon Scout is a self-contained, ground-level sampling system that measures the pH, dissolved oxygen, slurry density and gold concentration in carbon-in-leach (CIL) and carbon-in-pulp (CIP) circuits. An important new feature is the optional X-ray Fluorescence sensor to measure gold on carbon for real-time gold circuit inventory.

The self-contained device collects slurry samples from CIL/CIP tanks to determine the concentration of the activated carbon in the pulp for each tank, to an accuracy of ±0.5 grams of carbon per litre of pulp, Gekko claims. The concentration levels are then used to automate carbon movement to optimise the carbon distribution.

Gekko said: “The Carbon Scout benefits sites by providing real-time data which allows operators to significantly reduce soluble gold loss from the circuit by providing advanced measurements ahead of any unwanted excursions. The Carbon Scout also allows for automation of the carbon movement, minimising exposure to hydrogen cyanide gas and reducing the need for manual handling of samples.”

Constructed from stainless steel, the ground-level system enhances operator efficiency by removing the need to undertake time consuming manual sampling and provides a single point sampling station to improve accuracy and increase safety, according to the company. The automation of carbon movement, meanwhile, increases the efficiency of the process, ensures carbon inventory set points are achieved and reduces the need for operator, metallurgist and other processing staff input.

Some of the sites to have installed the Carbon Scout solution include Gruyere in Western Australia (pictured above on the left with the Gekko OLGA on the right) and Ity in Cote d’Ivoire.

The solution was commercially released in 2017.

Outotec addresses carbon losses in CIP, CIL gold circuits

18th March 2020Automation, Metallurgy, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Mining services, Precious metalscarbon in leach, carbon-in-pulp, CarbonSense, CIL, CIP, gold processing, OutotecDaniel Gleeson

Outotec has released a fully automated in-situ measurement system that, it says, can minimise gold solution losses in carbon-in-pulp (CIP) and carbon-in-leach (CIL) circuits.

Outotec CarbonSense is a system that is directly immersed in the slurry, eliminating the need for sample transfer and ensuring optimal carbon management, according to the company. It is designed to operate continuously in the agitated area of the reactor to ensure a highly representative analysis. It also features a reference probe to ensure reliable measurement even in changing process conditions.

As part of the solution, a single connection cabinet can support up to eight measurement assemblies, along with fibre-optic and copper media connections to the plant network, according to Outotec. “The system supports virtually any network topology, including star and ring configurations,” it said. “Maintenance is simplified with all power supplies and fuses located in one place.”

The portable calibration unit uses authentic slurry and carbon to ensure the best possible results and reliable measurement performance, Outotec said. No recalibration is needed when slurry properties change since the measurement is based on the difference between the measurement probe and the reference probe.

Continuous and reliable carbon concentration measurements minimise gold losses by enabling accurate control over carbon transfer between reactors, according to Outotec, with the Outotec ACT Carbon Management application designed to take full advantage of the measurement data.

The system is delivered as a ready-to-install package including measurement assemblies, connection cabinets and analysis software and licences.

The key benefits of Outotec CarbonSense, according to the company, are:

Enables continuous, representative, and reliable carbon measurement;
Supports development of efficient strategies for advanced CIP/CIL control;
Fully automatic operation;
Simple to install, operate, and maintain with no moving parts or sample transfer; and
Increases safety by helping to avoid blockages and other sampling issues.

Africa first for Gekko’s Carbon Scout technology

6th February 2020Environmental, Mine operation news, Mining consumables, Precious metalscarbon in leach, carbon management, CIL, CIP, Côte d’Ivoire, Endeavour Mining, Gekko, Gekko Carbon Scout, ItyDaniel Gleeson

Gekko Systems says Endeavour Mining’s Ity gold operation, in Cote d’Ivoire, has become the first mine in Africa to install a Gekko Carbon Scout.

The self-contained Carbon Scout device collects slurry samples from carbon-in-pulp (CIP) and carbon-in-leach (CIL) tanks to determine the distribution of the activated carbon in the pulp for each tank, to an accuracy of ± 0.5 grams of carbon per litre of pulp, according to Gekko.

Gekko, following a collaboration agreement signed with Curtin University for the development and commercialisation of a cutting-edge carbon management technology, went commercial with the technology in 2017. At that point, the company said the product promised to quickly become critical for gold process plant optimisation and for minimising soluble gold losses on tails.

By advancing the accuracy, regularity and consistency of sampling, the self-contained, ground-level unit will improve measurements in CIL and CIP circuits, Gekko said, adding that the Carbon Scout will also greatly improve the safety of operations by reducing operator exposure to cyanide and other hazards.

As recently as November, Endeavour announced it had completed a planned CIL plant expansion at Ity, upping capacity from 4 Mt/y to 5 Mt/y. This followed the commissioning of the 4 Mt/y plant in April 2019.

Para and Clark Construction partner up at Gold Road in Arizona

10th January 2019Mine operation news, Mineral project development, Mining services, Precious metalsArizona, CIL, CIP, Clark Construction Group, El Limon, gold, Gold Road mine, Para ResourcesDaniel Gleeson

Para Resources has entered into a final services agreement with Clark Construction Group, whereby Clark will provide contract mining services at the company-owned Gold Road mine in Arizona, US.

The contract transitions from the original “time and materials” pact announced in November with an open book target pricing contract. This new contract establishes the basis on which mining and extraction will occur at the Gold Road mine, Para said.

Clark has already been present on the project with equipment and crews and Atkinson is currently driving an exhaust drift in preparations of installing an exhaust fan to upgrade the ventilation system, upgrading the main decline to accommodate larger trucks rehabilitating the secondary escape routes and remediating the previously announced ground control issues.

In addition, maintenance, testing, repair, and general clean-up of the mill has been completed, Para said. The mill is now in functional condition with the exception of additional ball mill liners and first fills which are expected later in January.

Mineralised rock production is on schedule and expected to commence in late January with the re-commissioning of the plant. First gold pour is anticipated in February 2019.

Geoff Hampson, Para’s CEO, said: “We are very pleased to have now transitioned our relationship with Clark Construction Group to a Target Price contract which will ensure continuity of costs and production. We have implemented several key bonus programmes to ensure that Para’s and Clarks’ interests and incentives are in sync.

“Clark is one of the most experienced and respected building and civil construction firms in the US and they bring extensive experience and knowledge to our operations and capacity. The partnership between Clark and our highly skilled and tested Para team will ensure a smooth and successful production ramp up.”

In August 2017, Para, through its 88%-owned subsidiary Gold Road Mining, acquired the 500 t/d carbon-in-leach/carbon-in-pulp Gold Road mine and mill, including patented claims and a mill and processing facility, located in the historic Oatman Mining District of north-western Arizona.

In other news, Para said the mill at the company’s El Limon mine in Colombia continues to perform as anticipated, with the ramp up of feed continuing.

“Para is now assisting several of the larger formalised artisanal miners with equipment, technology and management. The new winch and the new tailing disposal site at El Limon are expected to be completed by the end of Q1 (March quarter) 2019,” it said.

“The current ramp up at El Limon is anticipated to move the operation into positive cash flow in the coming months and commercial production is expected to be declared by the end of the March quarter.”