Overview
The Brunswick Processing Plant in Victoria, Australia is a conventional comminution and flotation concentrator that has been processing antimony and gold-rich sulfide ores since 2007. Acquired by Mandalay Resources in late 2009, the plant has undergone several upgrades to achieve current throughput capacities of 10,000-13,000 tonnes/month. The facility operates 24/7 with crushing operations following noise restriction guidelines during extended day shifts.
Key Process Stages
- Crushing & Screening: Two-stage closed circuit using Finlay mobile impact crushers (I-130RS, I-140RS) and cone crusher (C-1540RS) with 35mm and 12mm screens
- Milling: Two ball mills in series with DSM screen and hydrocyclone classification (target P80 of 53µm)
- Gravity Recovery: Centrifugal concentrators recover gold-rich concentrate (55-70% Au recovery) upgraded via shaking table
- Flotation: StackCells (48″) and Denver DR cells (100 & 15) with CavTube columns added in 2021 for tailings reprocessing
- Concentrate Handling: Dual thickener system feeding plate-and-frame filter press for final dewatering
- Tailings Management: Thickened tailings directed to TSFs or underground paste fill operations
Critical Data
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Throughput Capacity | 10,000-14,000 dmt/month |
| Current Average Throughput | 11,000-13,000 dmt/month |
| LoM Antimony Recovery | 90.1% |
| LoM Gold Recovery | 92.2% |
| Gravity Gold Recovery | 55-70% |
| Target Grind Size | P80 53µm |
| Water Consumption | 1.5-2 ML/day (from mine dewatering) |
Recent Upgrades
- 2021: Installation of rougher/cleaner CavTube flotation columns
- 2024: Addition of Finlay C-1540RS mobile cone crusher
- Ongoing: Construction of new TSF (788,000 dmt capacity) for 2025 commissioning
- Paste fill system expansion with new pug mill installation
Circuit Features
The flowsheet combines proven technologies with strategic upgrades: primary crushing with mobile units, efficient gravity gold recovery ahead of flotation, and modern StackCell/CavTube units complementing traditional Denver cells. The dual thickener system allows separate processing of main and low-grade concentrates. Water management includes reverse osmosis treatment and extensive recycling from thickener overflows.
Technical report and processing history
The following archived source profiles have been consolidated here to preserve the project’s processing history and study context.
Brunswick Processing Plant – 2014 Technical Report
Brunswick Processing Plant – 2014 Technical Report
Company: Not specified in text
Mine/Project: Brunswick Processing Plant
Region: Not specified in text
Year: 2014
Commodities: Gold, Antimony
Executive Summary
This report details the operational status and planned upgrades for the Brunswick Processing Plant, which processes a sulphide gold-antimony ore. The plant operates continuously, with crushing limited to specific hours to minimize noise impact. A recent upgrade involving a portable crushing unit has successfully increased the plant’s throughput capacity to 10,000 t/mth.
The processing circuit includes a multi-stage crushing and screening system, followed by a ball mill circuit with classification and gravity concentration. The flotation circuit produces an antimony/gold concentrate, while gravity concentrates can be further refined or blended. Current recovery rates are approximately 95% for antimony and 90% for gold. The report also outlines planned upgrades for 2014, focusing on improving the reliability and efficiency of the flotation section, cleaner capacity, and concentrate slurry storage.
Further details are provided on the crushing, milling, flotation, thickening, filtration, and tailings circuits, along with information on reagent management, services (water, air, power), and recovery performance. The planned upgrades aim to maintain current recovery levels and enhance overall plant reliability and efficiency in handling increased throughput.
Website: https://www.brunswickbierworks.com/
Report Date:
Region:
Project Status:
Commodity:
Throughput:
Mine Life:
Mine Type:
Ore type:
Brunswick Processing Plant: Antimony-Gold Sulphide Ore Concentration
Overview
The Brunswick Processing Plant is a conventional comminution and flotation concentrator that has been processing antimony and gold-rich sulphide ores since 2007. Acquired by Mandalay Resources in late 2009, the plant has undergone several upgrades to increase its capacity to approximately 13,000 tonnes/month. The facility operates continuously (24/7) with crushing operations following noise restriction guidelines during extended day shifts.
Key Process Stages
- Crushing & Screening: Two-stage closed circuit using Finlay I-130RS mobile impact crushers (12mm product size)
- Milling: Two ball mills in series with DSM screen and centrifugal gravity concentrators (target P80 of 60µm)
- Gravity Concentration: Recovers 40-55% of gold using centrifugal concentrators and shaking tables
- Flotation: StackCell® roughers, tank cells, Denver DR cells, and CavTube® columns (added April 2021) with lead nitrate and PAX reagents
- Concentrate Handling: Dual thickener system with plate-and-frame pressure filtration
- Tailings: Thickened to 50% w/w solids and pumped to one of two TSFs
Critical Data
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Throughput Capacity | 13,000-14,000 dmt/month |
| Antimony Recovery | 94.1% (2022 forecast) |
| Gold Recovery | 92.7% (2022 forecast) |
| Gravity Gold Recovery | 40-55% of feed gold |
| Operating Schedule | 24/7 (crushing limited to day shift) |
| Water Usage | 1.5-2 ML/day from mine dewatering |
Recent Upgrades
- Second StackCell® flotation unit installed (July 2021)
- CavTube® column flotation cells commissioned (April 2021)
- Additional 2.4m³ concentrate thickener installed (2019)
- Finlay I-140RS impact crusher planned (2022)
- Second filter press planned (2022)
Water Management
The plant operates with a positive water balance using a 2 ML/day reverse osmosis plant and Splitters Creek evaporation facility (104 ML/year capacity). Process water is recycled from thickener overflows and TSF decant systems.
