This report describes the mineral processing route and metallurgical testing for the Granny Smith Gold Mine in Western Australia.
Report context
The Granny Smith Gold Mine technical report, effective 31 December 2021 and prepared by Gold Fields Limited, documents the mineral processing and recovery methods for this Western Australian operation. The report covers the process flow sheet design, recent plant performance data, metallurgical testwork results, and processing risks.
Processing route
Process flow sheet and design
The report presents a flow sheet and design for the Granny Smith processing plant. The recovery methods section (Section 17.1) contains the proposed design for the processing circuit, though detailed flowsheet elements are not specified in the available text.
Recent process plant performance
Section 17.2 provides recent process plant performance data, representing actual historical operating data from the Granny Smith operation. This section documents the plant's operational results during the reporting period.
Metallurgical testing and procedures
Section 13.1 describes the metallurgical sampling and testing procedures used for the Granny Smith deposit. This includes testwork protocols for determining metallurgical recovery estimates, ore hardness measurements, and sample head analysis.
Section 13.2 details recovery estimates and relevant results from the metallurgical testwork program. This includes sample head analysis results (13.2.1), metallurgical recovery data (13.2.2), and ore hardness testing outcomes (13.2.3).
Process plant sampling
Section 13.3 covers process plant sampling procedures used to gather operational data from the processing circuit.
Processing factors and deleterious elements
Section 13.4 identifies processing factors and deleterious elements relevant to the Granny Smith ore feed. Section 13.5 discusses metallurgical risks associated with processing, including:
- Sample representativity (13.5.1)
- Laboratory test methods and scale-up considerations (13.5.2)
- Deleterious elements (13.5.3)
Mineral Reserve recovery estimation model
Section 13.6 documents the end-2021 Mineral Reserves recovery estimation model used for reserve reporting.
Processing risks
Section 17.3 identifies processing risks, including:
- Major equipment failure (17.3.1)
- Plant operational management (17.3.2)
- Operating costs, plant consumables and reagents (17.3.3)
Process plant requirements
Section 17.4 specifies process plant requirements for the Granny Smith operation.
Key reported parameters
| Parameter | Value / Description | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Metallurgical sampling and testing | Described in Section 13.1 | Testwork |
| Sample head analysis | Described in Section 13.2.1 | Testwork |
| Metallurgical recovery | Described in Section 13.2.2 | Testwork |
| Ore hardness | Described in Section 13.2.3 | Testwork |
| Process plant performance | Data presented in Section 17.2 | Actual operating data |
| Flow sheet and design | Described in Section 17.1 | Proposed design |
| Processing factors and deleterious elements | Identified in Section 13.4 | Testwork / design |
| Recovery estimation model | Described in Section 13.6 | Design |
| Process plant requirements | Specified in Section 17.4 | Design |
Project website: https://www.goldfields.com/reports/annual-report-2017/minerals/granny-smith-gold-mine-brief-history.php
Technical qualifications
The processing information presented in this review is limited to the data contained within the Granny Smith 2021 technical report. No independent verification of the metallurgical testwork, process plant performance data, or flow sheet design has been conducted for this review. The report does not disclose complete flowsheet details, specific performance metrics, or economic evaluations beyond what is explicitly stated in the provided technical report sections.
Source: Technical Report – National Instrument 43-101, Granny Smith Gold Mine, Western Australia, Effective Date: 31 December 2021, Sections 13 and 17.
