by MaelgwynApr 11, 2022Case Studies by Commodity, Gold, Leachox

Stephen Flatman 1, Michael Battersby 1, Peter Lotz 2 ,Heiner Sprenger ¹and Rainer Imhof ¹
1. Maelgwyn Mineral Services Ltd, Tŷ Maelgwyn, 1A Gower Street, Cardiff, CF24 4PA, Wales, UK email: mms@maelgwyn.com
2. Maelgwyn Mineral Services Africa (Pty) Ltd, PO Box 2437, Honeydew, 2040, South Africa

ABSTRACT

This paper describes the development of the Aachen ReactorTM high shear mass transfer device from its original concept nearly twenty years ago to its acceptance in 2014 as an important unit process in one of the world’s newest large gold processing plants, producing over 1 million ounces of gold per year, where nineteen Reactors are installed in various applications.
The Aachen Reactor TM is owned by Maelgwyn Mineral Services Ltd with the original concepts conceived in Germany and Wales. Licensing of the technology to Maelgwyn Mineral Services Africa (Pty) Ltd in 2004, with their closeness to operations has allowed continual improvements in wear, functionality and performance and seen a number of patented equipment improvements and processes being developed around the Reactor. It is now possibly considered one of the most significant advances in gold processing since the introduction of the carbon-in-pulp process in the late 1970’s.

KEYWORDS
Aachen Reactor TM, Pre-oxidation, Leachox, Maelgwyn, Shear, Cyanide destruction, Leach Kinetics