Lundin Gold’s expansion of the Fruta del Norte gold mine processing plant in Ecuador is on track, with three Jameson flotation cells and a concentrate filter having arrived on site in the September quarter, the company says.
The company plans to spend approximately $36 million to increase plant throughput to 5,000 t/d and improve metallurgical recoveries by around 3%.
The focus of the expansion is on tailings and water reclaim, ultrafine flotation (read: Jameson cells), the addition of a third concentrate filter and plant automation.
The Jameson Cell is an innovative flotation process driven by fluid mechanics, Glencore Technology says. The advantages of modern Jameson Cells are:
- Consistent fine bubble generation with no external equipment or spargers;
- Intense mixing with small bubbles achieving rapid flotation without mechanical agitation;
- High throughput in a small footprint;
- Froth washing to maximise concentrate grade in a single flotation stage;
- Fast response and easy control;
- Steady operation and performance irrespective of changes in feed flow; and
- No moving parts, simple to install and maintain, excellent availability.
Other notable operations/projects to have recently invested in Jameson Cell technology include Aeris Resources’ Tritton copper operations, Hudbay’s Copper World Complex and South32’s Hermosa project.
In the September quarter, detailed engineering for the processing plant expansion at Fruta del Norte was completed, as was procurement of all major items; and concrete work was completed during the quarter, while structural steel erection was ongoing. As mentioned, the three Jameson cells and the concentrate filter arrived, while the new tailings line was successfully commissioned with completion of the reclaim line expected by the end of November.
The processing plant expansion to 5,000 t/d – mapped out in a December 2023 three-year outlook announcement – is a boost on the 4,200 t/d nameplate capacity. In 2024, gold production is anticipated to come in at 450,000-500,000 oz based on an average throughput rate of 4,500 t/d. This could be followed by production of 475,000-525,000 oz in 2025 and 2026 at the 5,000 t/d rate.
