APT's 25000 tonne per month Classification and Gravity Recovery Circuit for Cata Mining enters Phase 2

468c70_6b1cc95ee07844319b5feaea58391856.jpg

APT has successfully completed the design, manufacture, installation and dry commissioning of a 25000 tonne per month (tpm) classification and gravity recovery circuit for CATA Mining at their site near Musoma in Tanzania. This is part of a three stage project which also includes a CIL leach circuit and field assay laboratory. Initial testwork by APT’s associate laboratory Peacocke & Simpson on various samples from around the mine area indicated exceptional grades and a high potential for gravity recovery to play a role in the process route chosen.

The design of the plant is based around a unit tower structure which contains parallel cyclones for classification of mill products and screening out of oversize material for regrinding. Gravity recovery takes place in an FLSmidth-Knelson CD20 concentration equipped with ICSj automation.

Knelson concentrates are treated in a fully automated Consep Acacia CS250 intensive cyanidation reactor with electro-winning circuit for highest recoveries. All reagent handling and dosing systems have been included with the plant.

Thanks to APT’s philosophy of providing complete modular solutions, the entire Phase 1 structure was installed within one week of the crew arriving on site, with electrical wiring and piping completed a couple of weeks later, as shown below.

on site
on site
Phase 2 of the project consists of 2 x 400m3 CIL Tritanks also designed by APT, and full carbon elution and electro-win facilities. These are currently complete and awaiting shipment to site and installation, after which the entire plant will be commissioned together with the third-party crushing and milling circuit.

In the meantime, APT’s field laboratory is already on site and operational (as shown below), carrying out sampling programs and resource estimations. The lab includes batch Knelson, bottle roll and AA facilities among other units.

field assay labaratory
The implementation of multiple phases of this project through APT and its associates is a demonstration of the client’s confidence in us to deliver a top level solution with minimal capital expenditure. Careful and methodical work by APT’s engineering, procurement, assembly and installation teams has allowed us to turn this into a reality.