ORE PROCESSING Facility optimisation

Few, if any, ore processing facilities are fully optimised simply because there is always something they can do better. The following is the general approach followed by Havilah Consulting Pty Ltd when optimising an ore processing facility.

• Start at the front. The downstream processes are more efficient with "feed-on" 24 hours a day, steady milling rate and stable head grade and mineralogy.
• Process control. Ensure automated process control systems are functioning correctly.  Automate as many manual process control loops as is reasonable.
• Optimisation never ends. Develop analyses and testing programmes to track metallurgical performance and highlight opportunities for improvement.
• Communicate. Involve the site people - operators, maintainers, technical people and management. These people know the facility and can contribute, furthermore they operate the facility into the future.

Bill McCallum graduated as a metallurgist in 1981. He has vast experience in the day to day operations of ore processing facilities.