Modern Mining September 2020

COVER STORY

of 3,1 tonnes per cubic metre (t/m³). Tracer tests were used to monitor the efficiency of the separation achieved by the Cavex hydrocyclones to ensure all requirements were met. “Ep values achieved were 0,042 for the 4 mm tracer tests and 0,035 for the 8 mm tracer tests, which were below the set maximum target of 0,08 from the mine,” explains Gabriel. “This highlighted the benefits and improved effi- ciencies of the Cavex laminar spiral feed inlet.” The lower the Ep – or prob-

able error of separation – the more efficient the separation; it is defined as half the differ- ence between the density at which 75% is recovered to sinks, and that at which 25% is recovered to sinks. “The customer’s tracer tests on the Cavex hydro- cyclones showed that cut points of 3,08 t/m³ were achieved for both the 4 mm and 8 mm tracers. This was within the performance levels of 3,1 t/m³ that the customer had specified,” he adds. The additional test work results (in Table 1) high- light the improved wear rates in comparison to the competitor hydrocyclone (11 months vs 15 months), as well as an increased tonnage throughput of 36%. Ahead of the curve To stay ahead of the curve, Gabriel says Weir Minerals continues to invest significantly in its research and development (R&D) in order to meet the ever-changing needs of its customers across the globe. “To stay at the top, we need to constantly innovate because the industry keeps evolving; min- ers are demanding better technology for improved separation efficiencies,” says Gabriel. To this end, Weir Minerals has developed its Cavex 2 hydrocyclone (also known as the CVD hydrocyclone), which is said to mark a new era in separation technology. With a sophisticated design, the new hydrocyclone is specifically tailored to increase circuit capacity while providing optimal separation efficiency. “Our years of R&D have delivered significant

compared with the 65% by the competitor cyclone, thus meeting the customer’s requirements. The installation of the Cavex 500CVXT20 DM hydrocyclone, says Gabriel, has also resulted in increased throughput, from 78 tph to 116 tph due to the reduced turbulence, increased efficiency and improved wear life of the DM cyclone. “There has been a significant wear life improve- ment with our Cavex DM hydrocyclone only requiring a spigot replacement after nine months, while the competitor cyclone in the same circuit required a complete refurbishment after six months of opera- tion,” explains Gabriel. DMS application Gabriel reports an increased demand for Weir Minerals’ range of Cavex hydrocyclones in DMS applications. The company, he says, has leveraged the successes achieved with its classification hydro- cyclones worldwide and applied this technology and applications knowledge to the Cavex DMS hydrocy- clone range. The successful performance of the range at a diamond mine in Northern Cape, South Africa is testimony to the technology’s capability in DMS plants treating diamondiferous material. The cus- tomer required a solution that could offer at least six months wear life, and a probable error of sepa- ration (Ep) of no greater than 0,08 at a cut density

A platinum mine in South Africa saw a 36% mill circuit production improvement with the Cavex CVX hydrocyclones.

Table 1.

Additional test work results realised with the Cavex® 400CVXA20 DM cyclone Competitor dense media cyclone

Cavex® 400CVXA20 DM cyclone

Replacement period

11 months

15 months

Indicative unit cost per module Improvement in tonnage throughput

R17 200 (US$900) per month

R10 000 (US$500) per month

nil

+36%

10  MODERN MINING  September 2020