Project Description

In the concentrator plant, both the pulp is removed from the flotation cells, which contain valuable minerals, and the waste is removed from the cells by means of a set of launders and dropboxes.

Depending on the type of liquid, the geometry of the ground and the design performed, the transfer of liquid may be done by gravity or through a pump; Therefore, the capacity and slope of the launders and drop boxes must be carefully selected in proportion to the flow pulp and waste discharge; Otherwise, the liquid inside them will either not move or overflow from the launder or drop box and will cause problems for the operator.

Due to the increase in the capacity of Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex concentrator plant and the lack of integrated development in the previous years, a large part of the produced concentrate from launders and drop boxes overflowed and accumulated on the floor of the factory and was destroyed or its extraction happened to be quite costly. As a result, the required improvements in the flotation section of Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex’s concentrator plant were defined as part of the revamping and renovation of concentrator plant project in 2010.

In order to reduce the loss of products, it was decided that the necessary studies to increase the volume of cells, drop boxes and launders should be carried out by ANIN Co. and the necessary technical plans and documents should be produced so that it can be provided and implemented by contractors. In this regard, it was necessary to calculate the load due to the increase in capacity on the main structure of the hall and ancillary structures inside the hall and, if necessary, to provide a relevant reinforcement plan.

ANIN Co. by examining the existing plans, estimating the size of all equipment, preparation of a three-dimensional model of all equipment and structures of the hall, and considering all aspects of work, managed to increase the capacity of all drop boxes and launders by 20% together with providing an optimal plan for flotation cells, boxes and liquid pumping. In several stages and by holding several meetings with the operator and the client, the necessary explanations were given about the design in order to create the necessary confidence in the design. Also, corrective ideas were applied to the design as much as possible. Then all the necessary drawings and technical documents were produced and provided to the contractors.

In addition to the original design, by examining the inputs and outputs of the concentrator plant, it was determined that the gravity of the pulp could also be transferred from the concentrator plant to copper-molybdenum thickeners and paying high costs for electricity and purchasing and maintenance of pumps as well as spare parts could thus be avoided.

Following the submission of the plans and the time plan, the tender for the selection of the executive contractor was held and after the selection of the contractors, all the executive operations were carried out under the strict supervision of ANIN Co. Thus, the project of revamping and renovation as well as increasing the capacity of flotation sector of concentrator plant in Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex was fully delivered and put into operation.

After the implementation of operations, while increasing the capacity of all pulp transfer equipment by 20%, wastage of concentrate and additional electricity and water consumption for collection, cleaning and transfer of pulp were prevented. Also, all the equipment and piping system of the plant were completely refurbished and improved according to the needs of the operator.