Gold ore beneficiation and recovery plants are engineered from mineralogical testwork, ore variability, target product, water balance, environmental requirements and the approved project boundary.
Technical Parameter & Capacity Range
Preliminary engineering selection range: ROM ore throughput; recovery route and reagent regime must be selected from mineralogy, comminution and metallurgical testwork. Final guaranteed values are issued only after feed/product data, utilities, site conditions and performance-test criteria are confirmed.
| Plant scale | Typical capacity range | Key technical envelope | Typical configuration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact | 5–50 t/h ROM ore | Crush/grind target set by liberation test | Gravity and/or leach modules with doré room |
| Standard | 50–200 t/h ROM ore | Closed-circuit grinding; thickening as required | CIL/CIP or gravity-leach circuit with elution/electrowinning |
| Large | 200–500+ t/h ROM ore | Parallel grinding and recovery trains | Central reagent, tailings, water-recovery and refinery systems |
Process Configuration Flow
Representative process routes
ROM ore receiving → crushing and screening → grinding and classification → gravity and/or flotation as supported by testwork → concentrate thickening and filtration → gold-recovery/refining interface → tailings and water recovery.
Main engineering scope
- Ore receiving, sampling, crushing, screening and stockpiling
- SAG/ball milling, cyclones and particle-size control
- Gravity, flotation or other testwork-supported beneficiation routes
- Concentrate thickening, filtration, storage and dispatch
- Gold-recovery and downstream refining interfaces
- Tailings handling, water recovery, reagent systems, utilities and automation
Any cyanide, chemical leaching, smelting, hazardous-material, tailings-storage or permitting scope is defined only after ore testing, applicable regulations and project boundaries are confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
Can the process be selected from the gold grade alone?
No. Mineralogy, liberation, variability and metallurgical testing are required.
Is gravity recovery always included?
Only where testwork confirms recoverable free gold and a suitable mass balance.
When is flotation considered?
Flotation may be considered for suitable sulphide-associated or concentrate routes after testing.
Can crushing and grinding be supplied as one EPC package?
Yes, including materials handling, dust control, electrical systems and automation.
Are tailings and water recovery included?
They can be included within the approved environmental and site boundary.
Can refining be included?
The interface and permissible refining scope depend on concentrate characteristics, regulations and client requirements.
What utilities must be confirmed?
Power, process water, reclaim water, compressed air, fuel, communications and laboratory services.
What is needed for a proposal?
Provide testwork, ore data, target throughput, site information, utilities, regulations and required EPC scope.