Zijin Mining has selected two Weir Enduron HPGRs for its Golden Ridge operation at the Akyem Mine in Ghana.
“Weir prioritises service and support to all its customers, backing every EnduronHPGR with its worldwide service network. We have a service centre in Ghana that will support the Akyem Mine during integration and operation and, more broadly, we’re committed to being where our customers are so that we can support them when they need it,” said Weird regional sales manager Steve Wei.
Zijin is undertaking a brownfield optimisation project. The existing processing circuit includes a conventional SAG/ball mill configuration, which is experiencing operational limitations due to increase ore competency.
The ENDURON HPGRs will process pebbles to clear the comminution circuit, improve grinding efficiency and boost throughput and recovery.
The Akyem Mine is an open-pit gold mine with a throughput capacity of 8.6 million tonnes of ore per year (Mtpa). The expected mine life extends beyond 2040.
‘The benefits Enduron HPGRs deliver in terms of reduced energy consumption, lower carbon emissions and improved grinding efficiency compared to traditional tumbling mills are well understood, but this project highlights that they also have a vital role to play in circuit debottlenecking and pebble crushing applications. As surface deposits deplete and miners encounter a higher proportion of competent ores, they are increasingly installing HPGRs to overcome their processing challenge,” said Weird director HPGR and process engineering Bjorn Dierx.
“With a mine life that extends into the 2040s, Zijin’s decision to install an Enduron HPGR future-proofs their grinding circuit, delivering energy efficiency, superior handling of hard and variable ore feed and a reduced environmental footprint over a long operational horizon.”
