Improvement in Big Gossan paste hybrid reticulation system design to optimise gravity flow: a case study

Authors: Febritirtana, I; Kuswanto, D; Putra, D Download Paper Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2455_39

Cite As:
Febritirtana, I, Kuswanto, D & Putra, D 2024, 'Improvement in Big Gossan paste hybrid reticulation system design to optimise gravity flow: a case study', in AB Fourie & D Reid (eds), Paste 2024: Proceedings of the 26th International Conference on Paste, Thickened and Filtered Tailings, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 495-504, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2455_39



Abstract:
Big Gossan mine is one of PT Freeport Indonesia’s active underground mines in Papua, Indonesia. The mine began operations in 2010. It is operated using the open stope method with paste fill. The current production capacity is 7,500 tonne per day. The Big Gossan paste plant, located at 3100L, has been delivering an average of 4,000 m3/day of paste. To ensure continuous distribution of paste to stopes at the production level, it utilises a hybrid reticulation system, which consists of gravity and pump flow rather than only by gravity or pump system. The hybrid reticulation system enhances paste productivity by providing flexibility on distribution, depending on the stope’s location and priorities. Given the dynamic mining sequence, the paste reticulation system needs to be adaptable to changing circumstances. This paper aims to examine the design of the hybrid paste reticulation system and its improvement for the Big Gossan mine, especially focusing on optimising gravity flow instead of relying on pump flow, because gravity flow has shown to be more productive in delivering paste fill.

Keywords: Big Gossan, hybrid, paste fill, gravity, pump

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