SOP 006 Knelson EGRG Including Grind Test Page 1 of 8

Revision Rev3
Effective Date:26-Jul-07 By: Toni-Lynn Card

1.0 Scope
1.1 Methodology The Knelson MD3 Concentrator (KC-MD3) is used to
determine the amenability of an ore type to gravity concentration.
The MD3 uses centrifugal forces to selectively separate free gold
and other heavy minerals from the ore. The GRG value of an ore
sample provides an indication of the amenability of the ore to
gravity concentration. The GRG testing scheme is based on the
fact that progressive size reduction allows for the determination of
the precious metal recovery as liberated without over-grinding and
smearing coarse precious metal particles. The GRG test itself
consists of three sequential liberation and recovery stages. The
progressive grinding (as opposed to testing only at final grind) is
necessary in order to obtain an accurate GRG value with an
indication of the size distribution of the GRG. It also limits smearing
of coarse gold particles that may be present in the as-crushed
sample.

1.2 Sample Requirement The sample should be free of the usual

pitfalls of gravity testing, such as gold traps or the use of samples
from circulating loads that are non-representative of steady-state
operation. If plant samples are to be used, they should be obtained
over a reasonable amount of time to average out day-to-day
variations. It is the responsibility of the client to submit a
representative sample.

The ideal samples to conduct the GRG test on are composite

samples from:
• Drill core
• Crusher product if it is fine enough for representative
sampling
• Primary mill discharge (not from within the circulating load)

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Revision Rev3
Effective Date:26-Jul-07 By: Toni-Lynn Card

2.0 Summary
2.1 Please refer to flow chart

Receive coarse
sample

As req'd: Crush and

screen to 1.7mm

Representatively
split sample

1. 2.
Grind Test (10 kg) E-GRG Test (20 kg)

Grind Sub-sample- Screen and

MD3 Test KC Conc.1
Time 1 Screen assay fractions
(Stage 1)

Grind Sub-sample- KC Tails 1 Sub-sample- Screen

Time 2 Screen

Grind Sub-sample- Grind to P80 MD3 Test Screen and

KC Conc.2
Time 3 Screen ~250µm (Stage 2) assay fractions

Grind Sub-sample- KC Tails 2 Sub-sample- Screen

Time 4 Screen

Grind to P80 MD3 Test Screen and

Tails Stored KC Conc.3
~75µm (Stage 3) assay fractions

Sub-sample- Screen
Tails Disposed KC Tails 3 and assay fractions

Tails Stored

Tails Disposed

3.0 Related Documents

3.1 Knelson MD3 Operator’s Manual
3.2 A Laboratory Procedure to Characterize Gravity Recoverable
Gold, A. Laplante

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Revision Rev3
Effective Date:26-Jul-07 By: Toni-Lynn Card

4.0 Health and Safety

• Safety glasses, hearing protection, and steel-toe footwear are required
PPE.
• Perform visual inspection of electrical and mechanical equipment prior to
use.
• Please adhere to the safety precautions (orange labels) for each piece of
equipment.
• Use correct lifting techniques when handling buckets of slurry.
• Do not contact the agitator while in operation.
• Examine the path you intend to cover. Remove any tripping hazards.

5.0 Apparatus and Materials

• Jaw Crusher
• Sweco Screen
• Riffle Splitter
• Agitiator
• KC-MD3
• Buckets- for tailings and feed sample
• Compressed air (for removing dust)
• Oven
• Rod mill
• Filter Press
• Pans for drying concentrates and tailings
• Screens for screen analysis

6.0 Procedure

6.1 Sample Preparation

6.1.1 Coarse wet samples should be dried at 60-150°C prior to
any sample preparation. If mercury (Hg) is known to be in the
samples, the samples must be dried at 50°C or less to avoid
mercury vapours.
6.1.2 Stage crush sample in its entirety to 98-100% passing 1.7
mm.
6.1.3 Split sample into appropriate size for testing purposes. A 10-
kg portion is required for the grind test and a 20-kg portion is used
for the E-GRG test. Any remaining sample shall be kept as storage.
6.1.4 If less than 30-kg is available sample is spilt into three
representative portions and the processing is completed following
the general outline. If 25kg or less is available omit the grind portion
of the test procedure as outlined in Section 6.2.

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Revision Rev3
Effective Date:26-Jul-07 By: Toni-Lynn Card

6.2 Grind Test

A grind test requires 10kg based on a 10kg mill.
6.2.2 Grind tests are used to determine grind times required to
obtain P80’s of 250 µm and 75 µm for second and third stage
processing.
6.2.3 If a full 10kg sample is not available, the entire sample can
be split into three, where two-thirds is used for the EGRG and one-
third is used for the grind test.
6.2.4 For samples with insufficient mass, grind times can be
estimated using samples with similar ore characteristics or using
the tails screen analysis of the proceeding stage as a guide.
6.2.5 The same ratio of oversize material ground in the E-GRG test
should correspond to the mass used in the grind test to maintain
grinding consistency.
6.2.6 The first pass of the EGRG procedure can be performed
without knowing the grind times, as it is passed with no grinding.
6.2.7 Clean out rod mill if not done so already. Place rod mill in
the locked upward position, insert 9 large (1 ¼”), 7 medium (3/4”),
and 5 small (1/4”) rods into the mill. (Or rod charge as determined
at facility).
6.2.8 Transfer 10-kg dry sample and sufficient water to produce a
65% solids (by weight) slurry, into rod mill. The rod mill needs to be
in the upward position during this procedure.
6.2.9 Secure rod mill lid onto the face of mill. Once the lid is
secure, lower mill to the horizontal position by loosening the
hydraulic release valve. Check for leaks, re-secure as required.
6.2.10 The sample is ground in the rod mill four sequential times.
Standard grind times used are 2, 10, 13 and 15 minutes
corresponding to a cumulative grind time of 2, 12, 25 and 40
minutes. These times are to be used as a guide. Ensure that the
last grind time corresponds to a P80 less than 85 microns.
6.2.11 Turn on rod mill using the breaker switch. Set the timer for
the desired time. (see 6.2.10). Press start. The variable speed drive
may be used if no impacting of material is noticed.
6.2.12 Once grinding is complete and the mill has stopped rotate
the drain end to the lowest point. Secure the discharge spout to the
end of the mill. Lower table and secure in lowest position.
6.2.13 Place rod pushcart at the end of mill spout and a bucket at
the other end of the pushcart under the tray discharge.
6.2.14 Open drain and air valves to allow slurry to discharge.
6.2.15Once slurry is drained, open the rod mill to remove and clean
rods. Clean out the rod mill and pushcart ensuring all slurry is
captured.
6.2.16 If slurry is contained in more than one bucket, allow the
water to settle, decant and transfer slurry into one bucket.

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6.2.17 Agitate the ground sample while taking a representative sub-

sample of approximately 200g (dry mass).
6.2.18 Wet screen sub-sample at 400# (38 microns), filter the
minus fraction, decant the plus fraction, and dry both fractions.
6.2.19 Perform a screen analysis on the dried sample.
6.2.20 After the sub-sample has been taken, re-load slurry into mill
and proceed with second grind. (Decant excess water to ensure
60% solids in the slurry to be ground)
6.2.21 Repeat steps 6.2.8-6.2.20 for a total of four grinds, or as
many grinds as it takes to reach a P80 less than 85 microns. Wet
screen and dry screen to 400# fraction, record data onto data
sheets.
6.2.22 Screen analysis data obtained is graphed is used to
determine grind times necessary to obtain the required P80 values
for the EGRG test.

6.3 Machine Start-up & Stage 1 processing

6.3.1 Ensure MD3 (including feed funnel, launders, water jacket,
concentrating cone, and tailings line) is clean. No material should
be present on any interior or exterior surfaces.
6.3.2 Set machine parameters to standard settings; rotation to
correspond to a force of 60 G’s and 3.5 litres/min fluidization water.
6.3.3 Record dry sample mass on appropriate record sheet (~20 kg
for an EGRG).
6.3.4 Slowly feed sample into feed funnel, feed rate should be
~500-800g/min of solids.
6.3.5 Sub-sample gravity tails during processing. The tails are cut
at consistent intervals until all of the feed has been processed and
should be between 150-200g. See section 6.6 for tails handling
procedure.
6.3.6 Shutdown machine as outlined in section 6.5.
6.3.6 Remove concentrating cone and carefully rinse concentrate
into the gold pan using the cone washing wand. Ensure any
material in water jacket is combined with concentrate. See section
6.7 for concentrate handling procedure.
6.3.7 Prior to stage 2 and stage 3 processing the Bulk KC-MD3
Tailings are to be ground for the appropriate length of time as
determined in the grind time analysis.

6.4 Sample processing- Stage 2 & 3

6.4.1 Grind bulk tails from previous stage of processing at 60%
solids for appropriate length of time as determined in the grind time
analysis.

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Revision Rev3
Effective Date:26-Jul-07 By: Toni-Lynn Card

6.4.2 Set machine parameters to standard settings; rotation to

correspond to a force of 60 G’s and 3.5 litres/min fluidization water.
6.4.3 Slowly feed ground tailings sample into feed funnel, feed
should be at a rate of ~500-800g/min of solids.
6.4.4 STAGE 2 TAILINGS: Sub-sample gravity tails during
processing. The tails are cut at consistent intervals until all of the
feed has been processed and should be between 150-200g. See
section 6.6 for tails handling procedure.
6.4.5 Settle, decant, and regrind the bulk tailings as determined by
the grind analysis before stage 3 processing.
6.4.6 STAGE 3 TAILINGS: Tailings should be sampled as per
section 6.4.4; however, a 200-300g sub sample is required. Filter
the entire tails. Dry. Follow Section 6.6 for processing tailings.
6.4.7 Shutdown machine as outlined in section 6.5
6.4.8 Remove concentrating cone and carefully rinse concentrate
into the gold pan using the cone washing wand. Ensure any
material in water jacket is combined with concentrate. See section
6.7 for concentrate handling procedure.
6.4.9 Repeat section 6.4 for stage 3 processing
6.4.10 Final bulk tails are stored once third stage processing is
complete.

6.5 Machine Shut-down

6.5.1 slowy turn off fluidization water, and then after 3-5 seconds
(or until water comes to a dribble) turn off motor.
6.5.2 Allow rotor housing to come to complete stop.
6.5.3 Remove feed funnel. Wash any material on underside of feed
funnel into tailings.
6.5.4 Remove cone locking ring (recall left-hand thread). Any
sample on cone locking ring should be washed into tails.
6.5.5 Remove concentrating cone and carefully rinse concentrate
into the gold pan using the cone washing wand. If material is
present in fluidization water holes, clean accordingly.
6.5.6 Place empty container under drain valve at the bottom of the
rotary housing.
6.5.7 Open drain valve at the bottom of the rotary housing and
allow water jacket to empty.
6.5.8 Clean water jacket with fresh water.
6.5.9 Open fluidization water valve for 2 seconds then close valve.
This ensures any solids that may have gotten into the water jacket
are removed from the system.
6.5.10 Allow water jacket to completely drain and close drain valve
at the bottom of the rotary housing.
6.5.11 Combine the material collected from the drain valve with
concentrate into the gold pan.

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6.5.12 Thoroughly wash out MD3 tailings launder and piping line
into tailings bucket.
6.5.13 Wash out the tailings container to ensure there is no residual
material.
6.5.14 Store MD3 tailings for further processing or storage.

6.6 Gravity Tails Sub-samples: Screen Analysis and Assay

6.6.1 STAGE 1&2: Wet screen sample at 38 microns.
6.6.2 Record the mass (either of the +400# or entire sample). Dry
screen the oversize through the following mesh sizes (in microns)
1700, 1180, 850, 600, 425, 300, 212, 150, 106, 75, 53, 38, 25, pan.
Weigh and record all screen fraction weights.
6.6.3 The first and second pass screen fractions can be re-
combined and stored as reference samples.
6.6.4 STAGE 3:The cut bulk tailings sub-sample is filtered, dried
and weighed in its entirety.
6.6.5 Record the dry weight of total sub-sample.
6.6.6 Cut a representative portion ~30-50g from the total sub-
sample. This is considered a bulk sub-sample for QA/QC.
6.6.7 The remainder of the sample (up to 200g) is used for screen
analysis to determine actual P80. Each fraction is assayed. If the
remaining sample is greater than 200g, representatively split out
200g for screen analysis and store the remaining as reference.
6.6.8 Wet screen sample at 25 microns.
6.6.9 Dry screen oversize through the following mesh sizes (in
microns) 1700, 1180, 850, 600, 425, 300, 212, 150, 106, 75, 53, 38,
25, pan. Weigh and record all screen fraction weights.
6.6.10 Stage 3 screen fractions must be weighed and placed in
separate clean, dry, labeled sample bags. If the tailings weight is
less than 2g, record weight then combine with the next fraction for
assay purposes.
6.6.11 Combine the –25 micron wet and dry screens and
representatively cut 2 samples from the –25 micron fraction if the
mass is greater than 30g. The sample may need to be pressed
and rolled using a rolling pin to remove any lumps.
6.6.12 All products are sent for Au assay (or other PGM assays).
The bulk stage 3 tails and –25 duplicates are QA/QC samples.
6.6.13 Determine the P80 of the tails sample prior to sending the
sample for assay. If the P80 is greater than 85µm, recombine the
last stage tails and concentrate. Grind and re-process the sample
through the MD-3. (Ensure to include all concentrate, tailings and
reference samples).

6.7 Concentrate Samples: Screen Analysis and Assay

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6.7.1 Wet screen the concentrate at 25 microns. Decant water. Do

not filter as there will be losses. Dry and weigh each fraction.
6.7.2 Dry screen the 25 micron oversize through the following mesh
sizes (in microns) 1700, 1180, 850, 600, 425, 300, 212, 150, 106,
75, 53, 38, 25, pan.
6.7.3 Place each concentrate fraction into its own clearly labeled
vile. All stages of the concentrate are screened to -25 microns.
Concentrates shall be screened to the top fraction as determined
by the corresponding tails screen analysis or technician’s judgment.
6.7.4 Weigh each fraction of concentrate separately and record
weight.
6.7.5 Knelson concentrates are assayed to extinction for Au (or
other PGM assays).
6.7.6 Knelson feed and tailings are assayed for Au (or other PGM
assays).

7.0 References
General Operating Guidelines and Basic Laboratory Test
Procedures for a KC-MD3 Knelson Concentrator. Rev. October’99.

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