operations through mine-to-process optimization projects (Valery et al., 2019) and can be particularly effective when facing hard or highly variable feed ore characteristics. 2.3 Plant Audits and Surveys The downstream comminution and flotation circuits were then optimized, leveraging the benefits of finer ROM fragmentation from drill and blast optimization. This was conducted in phases as the second grinding line (Phase II) did not commence operations until May 2020. The modelling, simulation and optimization of Phase I grinding circuit was conducted in 2020 using historical operating data and results from surveys conducted previously by Chinalco on the 14th and 22nd of September 2019. A full audit and survey supervised by Hatch was conducted in May 2023 for the optimization of the Phase II grinding circuit and the Cu bulk flotation circuit. The audit and survey conducted in May 2023 also included measurement of blast fragmentation and additional rock characterization for the surveyed ores (Figure 2). This allowed comminution performance to be calibrated and linked with ore characteristics and blast fragmentation results. Figure 2 – Audit and Measurement of ROM Fragmentation (May 2023) As part of the survey, crash-stops and grind-outs were also carried out in the SAG and ball mills to gather key information to calibrate the comminution models. the condition of the lifters/liners and ball size distributions were reviewed. In the SAG mill, the extent of pegging and peening of the grates, the capacity of the pulp lifters, and the presence of slurry pooling were also investigated. Some examples of activities undertaken during the survey are shown in Figure 3. These surveys enabled calibration of site-specific models and ensured alignment between actual plant performance and simulated performance. Figure 3 – Sampling activities and equipment inspections during the survey
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