Discover a process flow to generate results with a higher degree of accuracy, particularly for Process Plants / Mills.
Introduction As a tactical mine planner an important part of the role is to continuously improve/reduce the variance between what has been forecast and what has been achieved, actual. While there are many potential parameters which can impact this variation, this post will focus on one, specifically, processing through-puts by rock type.
1. Process Mass Factor
The process mass factor (pmf) represents the mill/crusher variable input rate. This attribute is based on feed rates by material type.
The pmf is calculated by dividing the designed mill rate (by rock hardness/type) by the other rock type throughputs. For example:
- Designed (Boilerplate) process rate for the mill is 650t/hr
- Throughput for oxide is 650t/hr
- Throughput for Transition is 715t/hr
- Throughput for Primary is 575t/hr
Michael O'Connor
Senior Industry Process Consultant, Mining | Michael has been professionally employed in the mining industry since 1987 in a variety of roles comprising time as a production engineer, surveyor, mine planner, business and software consultant. Michael has spent time as a mining consultant carrying out feasibility studies on large scale projects including iron ore and uranium, using a variety of software including GEOVIA Whittle, Minesight and XPAC. Michael has extensive knowledge and experience with GEOVIA software in the fields of process improvement, optimization, mine planning and mine design for both underground and surface.
Senior Industry Process Consultant, Mining | Michael has been professionally employed in the mining industry since 1987 in a variety of roles comprising time as a production engineer, surveyor, mine planner, business and software consultant. Michael has spent time as a mining consultant carrying out feasibility studies on large scale projects including iron ore and uranium, using a variety of software including GEOVIA Whittle, Minesight and XPAC. Michael has extensive knowledge and experience with GEOVIA software in the fields of process improvement, optimization, mine planning and mine design for both underground and surface.