Discussion - Milling and Concentration

[CONTENTS PACE See TP 2377, Min. Tech, May 1948 for discussion of A Technique for Photographing Difficult Subjects through a Petrographic Microscope (TP 2092 by DONALD W. SCOTT, Min. Tech., Nov. 1946. Discussion by HORACE WINCHELL). Metallurgical Efficiency-a Yardstick in Lead-zinc Flotation Metallurgy (TP 2141 by R. A. ....... PALLANCH, Min. Tech:, March 1947. Discussion by S. D. MICHAELSON). I Symposium on Milling Devices and Practices. (TP 2162 by J. F. MYERS and R. J. TOWER, Min. Tech., May 1947. Discussion by HARLOWE HARDINGE). ............ 2 Rod Milling-Plant and Laboratory Data. (TP 2175 by J. F. MYERS, S. D. MICHAELSON and F. C. BOND, Min. Tech., July 1947. Authors' supplement and discussion by HARLOWE .......................... HARDINGE, and B. H. IRWIN) 2 A New Separating Vessel for Sink-float Concentration. (TP 2182 by E. C. BITZER, Min. Tech., May 1947. Discussion by E. H. CRABTREE, JR.) .................. 5] Metallurgical Efficiency-a Yardstick in Lead-zinc Flotation Metallurgy S. D, MICHAELSON*-The method of determining the efficacy of a separation described in this paper, gives the metallurgist a most useful guide for keeping his ship on an even keel When the ore Waves vary from placid seas to high breakers. Now that such a method of evaluating metallurgical efficiency has been developed and proven practical, it Would seem logical to introduce the next, and more final, factor of Economic Efficiency. I choose to define this term as the percentage ratio of net return from milling to the theoretical maximum net return. The actual operating cost subtracted from the actual mill return represents the net actual amount received for the material treated. Experienced operators of most plants Would ordinarily have enough data on hand to estimate a theoretical milling cost per ton, based on labor, power, supplies and maintenance When operating at maximum tonnage With minimum trouble and under ideal ore conditions. When this theoretical estimated cost is subtracted from the theoretical maximum ore return (calculated by Pallanch's method) the resulting figure is the maximum theoretical net amount the mill operator could hope to realize in processing the ore. The percentage ratio of these sums, of actual to theoretical, is the economic efficiency of the operations. This economic efficiency, if determined on the basis of a fixed market price for metal and similarly fixed base rates for labor, power and supplies, Will reflect the effect of changes in milling practice, labor efficiency and equipment condition. When computations made on the basis of actual current rates for labor, power and supplies are compared With similar actual figures for past periods they will show forcefully how energetic our hunt must be to develop man saving controls, more effective metallurgy, and better equipment to maintain profitable operations. Such computations also offer a simple means of determining how much more labor, supplies and power can be put into the mill operation to obtain an increase in metallurgical recovery at a profit.