This preliminary assessment describes a proposed gold processing route incorporating milling, pre-leach thickening, and carbon-in-leach recovery for the De Bron-Merriespruit Project in South Africa.
Report context
The Witwatersrand Consolidated Gold Resources Ltd Preliminary Assessment of the De Bron-Merriespruit Project (DBM Project), South Africa, bears an effective date of 5 August 2011 and report number 30836-01. The document was compiled by Turgis Consulting with contributions from Snowden Mining Industry Consultants. The processing section of this technical report (Section 17, Recovery Methods) presents a proposed mineral processing design; no historical operating data from a processing plant are included because the project is at a preliminary assessment stage. Metallurgical testwork results are referenced in Section 1.13 but the report does not include detailed testwork data in the processing sections.
Processing route
Mineral Processing Overview
The report presents a processing design for gold recovery only. Uranium recovery is mentioned but no process description is provided for uranium; Section 17.1 states "Uranium Recovery" as a heading but contains no further text in the extracted content. The gold processing route comprises milling, pre-leach thickening, and a carbon-in-leach (CIL) plant. The flowsheet is shown in a Process Flow Diagram (Section 17.3) but the diagram itself is not reproduced in the extracted text.
Milling Plant
The milling plant is described as a component of the processing circuit. No specific mill type, dimensions, power requirements, or throughput capacity are stated in the extracted sections. The milling plant feeds the pre-leach thickener.
Pre-leach Thickener
A pre-leach thickener is included in the circuit between milling and the CIL plant. No thickener diameter, underflow density, or other design specifications are provided in the extracted text.
CIL Plant
The carbon-in-leach plant is the primary gold recovery step. No number of tanks, tank volumes, retention times, or carbon concentrations are specified in the extracted sections. The CIL plant receives feed from the pre-leach thickener.
Elution, Electrowinning, Carbon Reactivation and Smelt House
The report lists elution, electrowinning, carbon reactivation, and a smelt house as downstream processes following the CIL plant. No equipment specifications, elution temperatures, electrowinning cell details, or smelting furnace descriptions are provided.
Reagents and Consumables
Section 17.8 is titled "Reagents and Consumables" but contains no specific reagent types, consumption rates, or storage requirements in the extracted text.
Tailings Disposal
Section 17.9 is titled "Tailings Disposal" but contains no description of the tailings disposal method, dam design, or deposition plan in the extracted text.
Key reported parameters
No specific design parameters, historical operating data, or metallurgical testwork results are reported in the extracted processing sections. The table below records what is stated and what is absent.
| Parameter | Unit | Proposed Design | Historical Operating Data | Testwork Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold recovery method | , | Carbon-in-leach | Not reported | Referenced in Section 1.13 but not detailed in extracted sections |
| Uranium recovery method | , | Not described | Not reported | Not reported |
| Milling configuration | , | Not specified | Not applicable | Not reported |
| Pre-leach thickener size | , | Not specified | Not applicable | Not reported |
| CIL tank configuration | , | Not specified | Not applicable | Not reported |
| Elution method | , | Not specified | Not applicable | Not reported |
| Electrowinning configuration | , | Not specified | Not applicable | Not reported |
| Carbon reactivation method | , | Not specified | Not applicable | Not reported |
| Reagent types | , | Not specified | Not applicable | Not reported |
| Tailings disposal method | , | Not specified | Not applicable | Not reported |
Project website: https://miningdataonline.com/property/4605/De-Bron-Merriespruit-Project.aspx
Technical qualifications
The report is a preliminary assessment. No processing plant has been constructed or operated for this project. The processing sections present proposed design only, with no testwork data, mass balances, equipment specifications, or performance estimates included in the extracted text. The report states that metallurgical testwork is referenced in Section 1.13 but that section is not included in the extracted processing content. All processing parameters are unverified at the preliminary assessment stage.
Source: Witwatersrand Consolidated Gold Resources Ltd, Preliminary Assessment of the De Bron-Merriespruit Project (DBM Project), South Africa, effective 5 August 2011, Report Number 30836-01, Section 17 Recovery Methods (Mineral Processing).
