抄録
The Mt. Newman Mining Co. Pty. Limited Beneficiation Plant at Newman has been in operation for more than four years.
The plant was designed to process 6.8 Mtpa (Million ton per annum) of "contact ore" which is a mixture of high grade hematite and shale produced during the normal course of mining.
This contact ore cannot be utilized as part of the overall blend because of its high alumina, averege 4.3% and low iron content, average 55%. The Plant was designed to produce 5.2 Mtpa of high grade products. This represents only a small percentage of the total project capacity of approximately 40 Mtpa.
This paper outlines the metallurgical testwork performed and the decisions taken in evolving the process of the Newman Benificiation Plant.
The basic layout of the Beneficiation Plant is discussed with particular reference to the Control System for its fully automated operation.
As commissioning of the Plant has taken place over an extended period, the paper also reviews improvements and plant modifications which have occurred as well as presenting information concerning current operations.
The paper briefly summarizes the reasons why the design capacity, although achievable in the short term, has not been met in the long term.
