Fosterville Gold Mine: Successful Deployment of Milling Optimisation Technology

Agnico Eagle Fosterville Gold Mine (Fosterville) operates a gold plant in Australia comprising of a crushing and grinding circuit (SAG mill with a closed loop cyclone classification circuit) followed by flotation, bacterial oxidation and leaching circuits. The lack of surge capacity between the grinding and flotation circuit and restrictions on crushing operations due to noise constraints resulted in unique set of challenges, that required the implementation of a novel control solution using advanced instrumentation.

  • Fosterville Gold Mine faced unique challenges and implemented a novel control solution using advanced instrumentation
  • Objectives were to improve grinding efficiency and provide a consistent feed to the flotation circuit
  • Control strategies included using cameras for feed control, optimizing flotation feed density, and stabilizing the discharge circuit
  • Positive outcomes: Improved circuit stability, increased recoveries, and 11% reduction in specific energy, potentially reducing CO2 emissions by 806 tonnes/year
Agnico Eagle Fosterville Gold Mine (Fosterville) operates a gold plant in Australia comprising of a crushing and grinding circuit (SAG mill with a closed loop cyclone classification circuit) followed by flotation, bacterial oxidation and leaching circuits. The lack of surge capacity between the grinding and flotation circuit and restrictions on crushing operations due to noise constraints resulted in unique set of challenges, that required the implementation of a novel control solution using advanced instrumentation.

Fosterville-Cover-(1).png

The lack of surge capacity between the grinding and flotation circuit and restrictions on crushing operations due to noise constraints resulted in unique set of challenges ... 

The main objectives of the control solution discussed in this paper were to improve grinding efficiency and to provide a consistent feed to the flotation circuit. Different to many other grinding operations, Fosterville is currently mine-constrained, and the maximisation of throughput was not the main objective. The feed density to the flotation circuit was identified as a key variable– with low densities having a potentially negative impact on recoveries. Without any surge capacity between the grinding and flotation circuits, stabilisation of the cyclone overflow density to the flotation circuit formed a key aspect of the grinding control solution – not only to stabilise the grinding circuit, but also to provide a consistent feed of the required density to the flotation circuit.

Related Resources

Ball MillSlicer

Ball MillSlicer

The Ball MillSlicer utilises the latest in digital signal processing techniques available to provide an accurate view of the change in mill fill level (vectors).

Read More
Balls

Balls

Our milling product range has been designed and manufactured to high performance standards for strength, impact resistance and wear. Offering a range of forged, cast high-chrome or ceramic grinding media, Molycop's product range can deliver the results you need.

Read More
Innovation

Innovation

At Molycop, we see innovation as a way to find solutions to some of the mining industry’s greatest challenges. We aim to improve on today so we can deliver better for tomorrow.

Read More
Flotation

Flotation

Molycop manufactures and distributes a wide range of flotation chemicals and instrumentation that can be tailored to suit your requirements and maximise your recovery.

Read More

Cookie Settings

We use cookies, including third party cookies, for operational purposes, statistical analyses, to personalize your experience, provide you with targeted content tailored to your interests and to analyze the performance of our advertising campaigns.

To find out more about the types of cookies, as well as who sends them on our website, please visit our dedicated guide to managing cookies.