Conference Proceedings
Mill Operators Conference Proceeding 2026
Conference Proceedings
Mill Operators Conference Proceeding 2026
Applying modern flotation technology to improve fine particle recovery at Cadia
The Concentrator 2 circuit at Newmont’s Cadia Operation completed a substantial brownfield expansion in 2022. The expansion objective was to increase throughput whilst maintaining gold and copper recovery. The brownfield footprint constraints for the flotation circuit expansion necessitated pursuing modern flotation technology over conventional solutions. The Concentrator 2 flotation flow sheet prior to the expansion consisted of a conventional rougherscavenger circuit upgrading to a regrind, two-stage cleaning circuit; utilising a Jameson Cell as the second stage cleaner (recleaner). The proposed expansion reduced the existing rougher-scavenger cell residence time by 28 per cent. Gold and copper recovery was forecast to reduce if no consideration was made to the residence time, due in part to a reduction in recovery of liberated fine particles (<20 microns). brownfields constraints precluded conventional solutions to offset the residence time loss; a z8500 jameson cell was instead selected at the head of the roughers due to its fast flotation kinetics, small footprint, and ability to recover fine particles. the rougher jameson cell and additional modification to the upstream comminution circuit, including an additional tertiary vtm-4500 vertimill™, allowed a throughput increase whilst maintaining the flotation feed grind size target and recoveries. additionally, due to its high degree of liberation, the cleaner-scavenger concentrate was redirected to the recleaners. this change reduced mass flow to the regrind circuit, which allowed for an improvement in mineral liberation, enhancing overall circuit recovery. this paper gives an overview of the flotation technology and circuit changes made in concentrator 2 at cadia. it will discuss the results of pilot plant test work, operational challenges and recovery performance pre and post commissioning of the rougher jameson cell and redirection of the cleanerscavenger concentrate.>20>
Contributor(s):
I Heath, W Downie, M Clark
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- Published: 2026
- Pages: 16
- PDF Size: 1.748 Mb.
- Unique ID: P-05625-C0F3H7