AST’s Diamond Processing Plant (DPP) 

AST's Diamond Processing Plant (DPP) is a combination of state-of-the-art technologies assembled to optimise the recoveries of diamonds from clay-bound or complex materials; specifically alluvial gravels and weathered kimberlite.

DPP is comprised of four highly engineered separate components:

  • Primary screening and high attrition washing of feedstock;
  • High degree of control of material cut points, delivering multiple grades of size fractions for autosorter processing;
  • Recycling of 90% water used with thickeners for re-circulation. This significantly reduces the volume of fresh water required;
  • Autosorters for final recovery of diamonds, improved recoveries at high throughput rates.

The advantages that DPP delivers are:

  • Cheaper to run, opex significantly reduced;
  • High volume throughput;
  • Security significantly increased; and a smaller plant “footprint;”
  • Modular system; Parts pre-assembled, transport, construction, assembly, commission, maintenance and operations are simplified;
  • Prevention of “clay balling” in trammels;
  • Efficient use of space;
  • Low impact on the environment;
  • Suitable for remote locations.

For further information on DPP screens and scrubbers, please see www.cdeglobal.com

 Click Image to Enlarge 

  Click Image to Enlarge 

 

DIAMOND PROCESSING PLANT (DPP) - DPP IS COMPRISED OF FOUR COMPONENTS

1. Bourevestnik Autosorters 

Bourevestnik Autosorters are a low-cost, efficient solution to treat high tonnages of run-of-mine diamond-bearing ore. This technology has been used by the Russians for over 30 years, and is gaining widespread acceptance by the diamond mining industry.

Older systems, such as dense media separation plants (DMS) requires Ferro Silicate at 2.5kg per tonne of ore treated, and costs $1,500 per tonne. In comparison, Bourevestnik machines typically run between $0.25 to $0.50 per tonne, incurring about 50% power and water-use reduction.

Utilising the Bourevestnik’s bulk sorting capacity is key to reducing the requirement for concentration using inefficient and out-dated pan plants and conventional DMS.

Bourevestnik’s footprint is smaller, and far less equipment and labour is used. Bourevestnik is a “closed circuit” and is much more secure than DMS and pans, and is able to process high volumes straight through the plant.

A typical Bourevestnik plant can successfully treat run-of-mine as follows:

  1. –50 mm to +20 mm material at 100 t/h,
  2. –22 mm to +10 mm at 100t/h,
  3. –10 mm to +6 mm at 60t/h, (exact cut off to be determined on commissioning)
  4. -6mm to be treated in 2 x 16” pans at 60 tph to secondary autosorters

Maintenance, labour and system downtime are also reduced by at least 30%, in comparison with typical diamond recovery circuits, as the production availability of the sorters is high, with minimal breakdowns.

AST will “containerise” and fit out the Bourevestnik machines prior to transport to site. For further information, please see: www.ast14.com/tradingequipmentsupply/bourevestnik

   

Click Image to Enlarge 

 

 

BV  

Click Image to Enlarge 

See below video of Bourevestnik autosorters in action

2. The CDE AggMax system

The Aggmax system allows for the primary screening and high attrition washing of claybound material through a combination of the RotoMax Logwasher and high frequency screening technology. 

This compact system allows the option of removal of the sand fraction prior to entering the RotoMax.This maximises the life of the wear parts inside the RotoMax. The aggregate processed by the RotoMax is subject to severe attrition, thus ensuring the highest level of clay is removed. 

After the scrubbing process the clean aggregate is discharged onto the secondary Rinsing screen, which not only removes the sand fractions by means of spraybars but also de-waters the aggregate ready for further screening. All sand fractions and water are piped back to the EvoWash to ensure maximum sand recovery.

 

Click Image to Enlarge 

3. The AquaCycle 

DPP incorporates a thickener tank, that works by separating the waste water from the fine material with the assistance of a flocculent. Material enters the thickener and is dosed with flocculent. From here the material is delivered to the centre of the tank in order to ensure efficient settlement of the fine particles.

The Aquacycle enables recovery of up to 90% of the water used in the entire DPP plant for re-circulation. This significantly reduces the volume of fresh water required. The footprint of the plant is reduced, no extensive site ponds or settling lagoons are required.

There is a significant reduction of wastewater management requirements, whilst the Aquacycle costs significantly less to run then large settling ponds. This makes DPP an environmentally compliant plant allowing operations in environmentally sensitive areas; for example in close proximity to rivers.

 

CDE (5)

Click Image to Enlarge

4. EvoWash System 

The CDE EvoWash plant offers a high level of control of silt/fines cut points, effectively eliminating loss of fines to settling ponds or water treatment phase, and can deliver multiple grades of fine material.

Click Image to Enlarge