Design, Capital and Operating Costs of Mineral Processing Plants

Abstract

This paper reviews important aspects of the design of mineral processing plants, emphasizing the different factors which seem to be most important today, when labour and energy represent a high proportion of total costs. Such items as autogenous and semi-autogenous grinding, two-stage classification, large flotation cells, pressure filtration, etc., are discussed. Recent examples of flotation plants are described

Capital cost evaluation is briefly surveyed, as well as generally accepted procedures; relationships with flowsheeting and mill design are specially pointed out

Distribution of operating costs is reported on the basis of processes and elements, and a few examples are fully detailed.