The MIM Copper Concentrator was first commissioned in 1973. Flotation plant capacity had progressively become constrained due to higher throughput, higher head grades, increased head grade variability, higher talk levels and the need to produce high grade concentrates. The aim of the flotation capacity upgrade project was to improve copper plant recovery by approximately 2% through major brown fields work completed in two stages. This work included the installation of additional flotation equipment, pumps and pump boxes, lifting facilities, electrical supply, instrumentation, DCS upgrade, reagent distribution and process piping. Ausenco’s scope included engineering design, project management, procurement and construction support for the following reconfi gure flotation cleaner columns for parallel operation; install Jameson Pre flotation cleaner unit; install separate Jameson slag cleaner unit; install four 100m3 scavenger tank cells; install two 100m3 scavenger cleaner tank cells; reconfigure existing roughers to pre-flotation roughers; reconfigure existing scavenger units to rougher duty.

• Designing and procuring large items of equipment that could be installed into the existing concentrator building
• Designing for a large number of tie-ins located in an operating plant with restricted access and planning for minimal plant down time
• Plant performance exceeding design parameters with minimal commissioning and ramp up issues
• Incentives fully paid that included operational performance 6 months after PC

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