Zijin is undertaking a brownfield optimisation project. The existing processing circuit includes a conventional SAG/ball mill configuration, which is experiencing operational limitations because of increased ore competency.
The ENDURON® HPGRs will process pebbles, which will debottleneck the comminution circuit, improve grinding efficiency and boost throughput and recovery. HPGRs offer highly efficient reduction, generating a substantial amount of fines that reduce the energy required for downstream milling.
The Akyem Mine is an opencast gold mine with a throughput capacity of 8.6 million tpy of ore. The expected mine life extends beyond 2040.
The order was booked in Q326.
Bjorn Dierx, Director HPGR and Process Engineering at Weir said: "The benefits ENDURON HPGRs deliver in terms of reduced energy consumption, lower carbon emissions, and improved grinding efficiency compared to traditional tumbling mills are well understood, but this project highlights that they also have a vital role to play in circuit debottlenecking and pebble crushing applications. As surface deposits deplete and miners encounter a higher proportion of competent ores, they are increasingly installing HPGRs to overcome their processing challenge.
"With a mine life that extends into the 2040s, Zijin’s decision to install an ENDURON HPGR future-proofs their grinding circuit, delivering energy efficiency, superior handling of hard and variable ore feed, and a reduced environmental footprint over a long operational horizon." Steve Wei, Regional Sales Manager at Weir said: ‘Zijin Mining is one of the world’s largest and fastest growing gold mining companies and Weir’s proud of the strong, collaborative partnership we have with them. We have a shared vision to produce minerals more sustainably and Weir’s ENDURON HPGR is increasingly the first choice for miners looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
"Weir prioritises service and support to all its customers, backing every ENDURON HPGR with its worldwide service network. We have a service centre in Ghana that will support the Akyem Mine during integration and operation and, more broadly, we’re committed to being where our customers are so that we can support them when they need it."