QUEBEC – Osisko Mining Corp. of Montreal says its Canadian Malartic gold mill at Malartic has returned to full operation following a fire near the No.4 cyclone area on May 9, 2012. The fire was likely caused by welding in the area, and damage was limited to the cyclone set.
The mill resumed partial operation on the evening of May 16, with the grinding circuit utilizing three of the four cyclone sets and two of the three ball mills, as well as the semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) unit. Completion of temporary repairs to the fourth cyclone circuit and the completion of scheduled maintenance on the primary and secondary crushers allowed for the resumption of full production on the evening of Saturday May 19. Production rates have returned to the pre-fire range of approximately 40,000 t/d.
During the past week modifications to the XL2000 cone crusher bowl and liners have been done under recommendations and supervision from the supplier, FLSmidth. Osisko expects to see the milling circuit stabilize in the 40,000 to 45,000 t/d range.
A second XL2000 crusher is expected to be installed and operational by July. This should allow the circuit to increase throughput to 50,000 to 55,000 t/d. Further optimization to the circuit, including the installation in August of a second pebble crusher, is expected to lead to increased daily throughput by September.
Read the amazing story behind Quebec’s newest gold producer at Osisko.com.
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