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Success Stories

Instrowest was recently approached by Jubilee Mines Cosmos Operations to help them find a solution to their chemical dosing problem. The problem involved dosing sodium cyanide to the flotation circuit to aid the rejection of arsenic present in the ore. Cosmos contacted other instrumentation and valve service providers but due to the small dosing rates required, typically 0- 150 ml/min, and the tendency for sodium cyanide to crystallize in changing temperatures, a solution could not be sourced.

The second of two options presented by Instrowest was selected. It involved the use of actuated metering valves with low flow coefficients. Instrowest managed to source these valves and actuators from an overseas manufacturer. The valves are 24 volt DC driven and controlled by 4-20 mA.

Instrowest designed the ring main around the required flow rates for the ten dosing points. The ring main was designed to run at a constant pressure controlled by the Yokogawa DCS. The valves were then sized according to their desired flow rates and the known pressure of the ring main.

Instrowest presented their ideas in a "Proposal of work". This included a full break down of the project, calculations for valve sizing, the type of measuring device required, the reasons why the products were chosen and the pros and cons of each of the products. A full budget estimate for Instrowest to supply, install and commission the products chosen was included at the end of the proposal.

The personnel at Cosmos were very pleased with the Instrowest proposal and organized a site visit so the project could be discussed and finalized prior to parts being ordered. It was decided to implement the ring main pressure control and the conditioner tank dosing point as soon as possible.

Since the installation we are happy to report that the ring main is now running at a constant pressure and the conditioner tank addition point is working as planned. As a result of this project’s success, Cosmos now has greater control over the cyanide dosing system, leading to better arsenic rejection and efficiency in their cyanide usage. The Cosmos Senior Metallurgist is pleased with the current performance and plans to install the other addition points once they finalize their cyanide requirements and arsenic rejection strategy.

Instrowest is now in discussions with the overseas actuator manufacturer to become the Western Australian distributor for this product.

Conditioner tank addition point