The Evaluation of Alternative Comminution and pretreatment Arrangements for the Woodcutters Mine, NT

Following the delineation of significant extra ore reserves during 1990, the decision was made to expand production from 350,000 tonnes of run of mine ore per year to initially 600,000 tonnes increasing to 750,000 tonnes per year. The existing plant consists of a conventional three stage crushing plant followed by a heavy medium separation plant that produces a product prior to grinding. Grinding is conducted in three stages of ball mill in series. Alternatives examined for expanding production included: aò SAG mill - ball mill circuit replacing the secondary and tertiary stages of crushing, the heavy medium plant and the existing ball mills; and, upgrading of the existing circuit configuration.