Figure 9 Integrating Grinding Circuit Opportunities with Flotation Circuit However, the flotation circuit analysis identified both operational and capital intensive opportunities to manage the impacts of increased throughput. Integrated simulations were conducted to evaluate the benefits of these strategies (Figure 10). Quick-win operational changes, including circuit reconfiguration, improved cell utilization, and full use of installed regrind and flotation capacity, could increase overall copper recovery by approximately 1.5% while maintaining concentrate grade. Thus, more than compensating for the expected loss from increased throughput and coarser grinding product size. Additional recovery gains could be achieved through major CAPEX initiatives, including expansion of cleaner circuit capacity and installation of more efficient flotation technology upstream of the existing cleaner banks. These options were shown to improve recovery under higher throughput scenarios, providing resilience against ore variability and future production increases. Figure 10 Simulation Summary for ‘Quick-win’ Opportunities and Major CAPEX Options In addition, Hatch used data collected during the optimization project to develop a power-based throughput forecast model for the Toromocho comminution circuit. The model calculates the
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