The ASIA Miner - Reporting Important Issues to Mining Companies in the Asia Pacific Region
Issue link: https://asiaminer.epubxp.com/i/632337
Volume 13 • Issue 1 | 2016 | ASIA Miner | 49 Supplier News RUBICON Minerals Corporation has suc- cessfully commissioned and formal accept- ed Gekko Systems' Cyanide Detox System for its Phoenix Gold Project in Red Lake, Ontario, Canada. Gekko designed the sys- tem specifcally to meet the needs of the Phoenix project. Gekko is an Australian mineral process- ing technology company specializing in cyanide destruction, modular plant tech- nology and gravity separation. The Ballarat, Victoria-based company is committed to providing cyanide detox systems with best practice environmental and fnancial sus- tainability. Rubicon Minerals is an emerging gold pro- ducer focused on extracting the maximum recovery of resources with the lowest pos- sible carbon footprint. "Gekko's experience gives us great con- fdence in the successful design and op- eration of this critical process ensuring we continue a responsible and environmentally sustainable development," said Rubicon's project manager and mill superintendent Don Emms. After months of collaborative planning, Gekko's system for the Canadian operation incorporated many design features gleaned from 30 years' experience by Gekko Sys- tems' principal detox consultant Randy Agi- us, who has now retired. The Cyanide Detox System uses the proven SO2/Oxygen (INCO) process to destroy cya- nide in the plant's leach tails and is capable of reducing it to less than 1ppm weak acid dis- sociable (WAD) cyanide. The main reagents are liquid sulphur dioxide (SO2) and oxygen. Gekko's process engineer for North Ameri- can projects Ben Adaszynski said, "Oxygen is used in place of the more conventional air compressors resulting in lower power consumption, better process fexibility and reduced overall operating costs. "The low power consumption and re- duced operating cost is realised through the use of advanced VSA oxygen genera- tion technology supplied by PCI Gases. The unit's low power consumption and mainte- nance costs, combined with high oxygen gas utilisation, result in a projected payback period of less than six months compared to conventional air blowers," said Gekko Detox Team head Nick Katsikaros. The supplied plant included the cyanide destruction tank, liquid SO 2 handling, stor- age and dosing systems, oxygen gener- ation and dosing system and full process control instrumentation. WEIR Minerals Australia has introduced its new Snapex joining technology for the Cavex CVX250 hydrocyclone range. The new Snapex couplings are designed to make spigot change out and maintenance of the Cavex hydrocyclone safer, easier and faster, resulting in increased effciency and lower operating costs. Weir says compared to traditional bolted fange or clamp connections, Snapex couplings deliver signifcant benefts including easier inspec- tion and replacement of wear parts, reduced labour, and increased safety. The likelihood of hydrocyclone downtime caused by blockages due to dropped spigot housing or bolts is greatly decreased. Weir Minerals Australia hydrocyclones product manager Zoran Pri- ca said, "We developed the new Snapex couplings using exclu- sively licensed Joinlox technology. Joinlox specialises in innovative, award-winning joining systems. By combining our extensive engi- neering and design expertise, we believe that we have set the new benchmark for hydrocyclone performance. "The introduction of Snapex couplings represents an important technological step for hydrocyclone performance. The new cou- plings are easy for one operator to remove, reft and close using only a dead-blow hammer to rotate the coupling shell. "Customers report to us that spigot reft time had been drastically reduced from 15 minutes using quick release clamps, to just one or two minutes for hydrocyclones ftted with Snapex couplings. With dozens of hydrocyclones operating across some sites, this means labour cost savings can be signifcant. "Snapex couplings deliver more than just labour savings. As spig- ots become worn, hydrocyclone performance deteriorates but as more frequent spigot inspection and spigot liner replacement is now more possible with Snapex couplings, hydrocyclone effciency and subsequently mill throughput can be maximised, resulting in increased profts," Zoran Prica said. Additional features of the Snapex couplings include the ability to be installed without the need for winches or cranes. Its design has been developed using a light- weight injection moulded nylon housing, o-ring seals be- tween parts and a positive locking pin. The specialised locking mechanism prevents the couplings from spring open or leaking, a frst for quick release clamps. Weir Minerals has also launched the next generation in spigot design using high quality lightweight nylon spigots with ceramic liners for the Cavex CVX250 hy- drocyclone. The new spigot with the Snapex coupling adaptor ring built in, makes the transition from tradi- tional quick release coupling simple. Gekko Detox Team head Nick Katsikaros with the Cyanide Detox System designed to meet the needs of a Canadian gold project. Gekko detox system for gold project Weir introduces Snapex couplings Greg Reudav enna T +61 8 9477 5111 F +61 8 9477 5211 info@gpxsurveys.com.au AEROMAGNETICS RADIOMETRICS X-TEM HELI TDEM Airborne & Ground Geophysics Weir Minerals' Snapex couplings make Cavex hydrocyclone maintenance safer, easier and faster.