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<br />capacities of the processing machinery that were installed in the m'1- ~'^g facil- <br />ity. This information determined the positions of the machinery with respect <br />to one another, and the quantities of ore and water that are in transit at every <br />point throughout the mill. Power requirements for each piece of equipment <br />established the sizes of the motors that are connected with the milling machin- <br />ery. Laboratory experiments, pilot teats, and practical experience were also <br />factored into the choice of this flow sheet, which resulted in the final mill design. <br />Ore from C.O.M. Inc.'s mines is transported tq the millsite in a dump truck, and <br />unloaded into one of two coarse ore bins. These ore bins feed the crushing <br />plant, which incorporates primary and secondary crushers in a closed~ircuit. <br />After crushing, the ore is stored in a fine ore bin with enough capacity to insure <br />an 8 hour supply of ore for the grinding and concentrating circuit$ of the mill. <br />This fine ore is then conveyed to the grinding cirouit to complete the comminu- <br />tion process. Fresh water is added to the ore for wet grinding in a ball mill that <br />ie in closed~ircrrit with a spiral classifier. Gravity concentration follows the <br />grinding circuit, with separation being accomplished by a double jig, a rag plant, <br />and a shaking table. The gravity concentrates from each machine in this sec- <br />tion of the plant is pulled from the milling circuit for collection and further <br />treatment. The overflow from the shaking table carries the suspended, finely <br />divided fraction of the pulverized ore to a large thickener tank. This thickener <br />tank serves two important functions. It clarifies the mill water, which is re- <br />turned to the ball mill for recycling in the gravity circuit, and it increases the <br />concentration of the suspended solidB prior to their flotation. The clarified <br />water overflows a peripheral launder, while the solids settle on the bottom of <br />the tank. Four rotating radial arms with blades rake the settled solids towania <br />an outlet at the center of the bottom of the tank. These rotating blades also <br />assist in the compaction of the settled particles, produce a thicker underfloor, <br />and promote faster clarification of the mill water. A diaphragm pump ie used <br />to lift the thickened pulp to a bank of flotation cells, where the concentration <br />process is completed. Standard flotation reagents such as pine oil, soda ash, <br />and xanthate are used in the flotation cells. The tailings from the flotation <br />circuit are pumped to the tailings pond, and the final concentrate pulp is col- <br />lected for filtration. A disc vacuum filter dewatera the flotation concentrate, <br />which is shipped from the millsite for further treatment. <br />C.O.M. Inc.'e mill was designed to have the capability to process 50 tone of ore <br />is a 24 hour period. Because the crushing plant section of the mill is able to <br />crush enough ore in a single 8-hour shift to furnish the grinding circuit of the <br />mill with a 24-hour supply of fine ore, it will only be operated one shift a day. In <br />order to achieve efficient grinding, maintain the ratio of concentration, and in- <br />sure ahigh level of recovery, the grinding and concentrating circuits will be <br />operated continuously. Initially, the milling facility will be operated 3 or 4 days <br />a week for 24 hours a day. 'This schedule is based upon producing 50 tons of <br />ore a day from C.O.M. Inc.'s properties. <br />