Abstract

The Pampa Larga Coal Adsorption Plant (CIC-PL) is the main plant contributing to Yanacocha's production. Gold losses occur from the spent solution that goes to the water treatment plant and is then discharged to the environment.

Two opportunities for improvement were identified to achieve better plant performance. One is related to refining the adsorption of gold on carbon in a high copper solution. The other aims to improve the operational control of the charcoal plant by using the corporate activated carbon manual, as well as to increase the activity of the charcoal and optimize the amount in the adsorption circuit tanks.

Keeping key operating variables under control, coupled with the implementation of an assay method to quantify small concentrations of gold, resulted in lower losses and savings of US$3.5 million for Newmont Yanacocha.