Process Choices For Carbon Technology

In designing a gold extraction circuit utilising carbon­in-pulp (CIP) technology a number of process options can be considered. These include various combinations of leach or pre-leach, CIP or carbon-in-leach (CIL) and conventional counter-current or carousel CIP (or CIL) circuits. Factors affecting the process selection include the project's sensitivity to capital and working costs, the project life, and the mineralogy and head grade. Each process option has it's own advantages and disadvantages. This paper compares both the financial and technical aspects of the flow sheet options. The flow sheet, design aspects and operating performance of Anglogold's West Wits No. 2 and 3 Plants which are leach, pump-cell circuits are described.