Is the Python Right for Me? Python Amenability Test Work Gravity Gold 2010 Tim Hughes, Ken Donaldson, Ben Murphy

Outline Underground Processing and Python Python Flowsheet Testing for Python – VSI Amenability – Continuous Gravity Recovery – Flotation

Underground Gold Processing Potential Benefits Haulage reduction Less waste handling Smaller surface footprint Lower cut off grade

Designed for mobility and flexibility Pre-concentration focus 5 dry modules, 6 wet modules, 2 electrical The Python

Python Flowsheet

Why Gravity and Flotation?

Python Amenability Testing Mineralogy Bond Impact Crushing Work Index Bond Abrasion Index Vertical Shaft Impactor Amenability Continuous Gravity Recovery Flotation Recovery Concentrate Treatment Concentrate Handling Tailings Testing

Python Throughput

Single Pass VSI Amenability Test

Continuous Gravity Recovery Test Table Test Cleaner Table VSI P µm P100 ~ 1.18mm Conc. Tail Conc.

Gravity Yield-Recovery Curve

Flotation Testing Bulk float Typical Reagents: PAX, CuSO 4 and frother 4 x 30s concentrates 2 x 5min concentrates – ultimate recovery Yield - Recovery

Flotation of Gravity Tails Recovery by Gravity Gold recovery by gravity only 81% into ~15% mass Combined gravity and float recovery around 96% Au into ~15% mass Flotation recovery-yield data

Combined Gravity and Flotation

Summary Underground pre-concentration has a number of operational benefits and savings. Gekko’s Python utilises fine crushing, gravity separation and flotation to maximise these benefits. Gekko has developed a robust group of laboratory tests to assess an ore’s suitability for Python processing. A large proportion of ores tested have been amenable to the Python flowsheet.

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