A 1 ton per hour (1t/h) rock gold processing plant is designed to achieve a specific extraction and purity level of gold from mined ores. Below is a brief overview of what such a plant typically entails:
Components and Workflow:
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Crushing & Grinding:
- Jaw Crusher: Break down larger rocks and ore into smaller, manageable sizes.
- Ball Mill: Further grinds the crushed ore to a powdery consistency to allow for easier separation of gold.
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Classification:
- Classifier or Cyclone: Separate fine particles from coarser particles based on size and density.
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Concentration:
- Gravity Concentration Equipment: Such as a shaking table or centrifugal concentrator to separate gold from the ore based on density differences.
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Leaching & Adsorption:
- Leaching Tanks/Agitators: Mix finely ground ore with water and chemicals to dissolve the gold.
- Activated Carbon: Absorbs dissolved gold from the solution in Carbon-in-Pulp (CIP) or Carbon-in-Leach (CIL) systems.
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Desorption & Electrowinning:
- Elution Column: Strip gold from carbon.
- Electrowinning Cells: Recover gold from the eluted solution.
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Refining:
- Smelting Furnace (optional): For the final purification of gold.
Key Considerations:
- Feed Source: Quality and consistency of the ore feed.
- Water and Material Handling: Efficient management is crucial for both operational efficiency and environmental compliance.
- Chemicals: Safe handling and disposal of chemicals used in the leaching process.
Infrastructure:
- Power Supply: Ensure reliable electricity for continuous operation.
- Water Supply: Adequate water for the various processing steps.
- Waste Management: Proper disposal systems for tailings and effluent to mitigate environmental impact.
Services and Maintenance:
- Regular inspections and maintenance of all mechanical and electrical components to minimize downtime.
- Skilled operators and technicians to ensure smooth running of operations.
Safety:
- Robust safety measures and protocols to protect workers from chemical exposure, heavy machinery, and high temperatures during refining processes.
A well-designed and efficiently operated 1t/h rock gold processing plant can significantly enhance gold recovery rates while minimizing environmental impact and operational costs.
