HOME

Development of a Predictive
Geometallurgical Recovery Model for
the La Colosa, Porphyry Gold Deposit,
Colombia
S Leichliter1, J Hunt2, R Berry3, L Keeney4, P A Montoya5,
V Chamberlain6, R Jahoda7 and U Drews8

ABSTRACT
La Colosa, Colombia is a large gold-porphyry deposit currently undergoing feasibility studies
by AngloGold Ashanti. This period of development allows the opportunity to apply innovative
and emerging testing and modelling methods to provide a predictive geometallurgical recovery
model for the deposit. By partnering with the AMIRA P843A Geometallurgical Mapping and Mine
Modelling (GeMIII) research project, the geological and mineralogical data are analysed with respect
to liberation and recovery methods. This will allow the variability in the geology and mineralogy
of the deposit and key relationships recognised in the data to be included in the development of
a model to help predict recoveries of the gold. Many aspects of the gold mineralisation such as
gold paragenesis, associations, grain size and texture are determined and analysed using optical
microscopy, Mineral Liberation Analysis (MLA), and laser ablation (LA-ICP-MS). At La Colosa the
gold has been located in sulfides (eg pyrite, pyrrhotite, and chalcopyrite), silicates, along silicate
phase boundaries, and among the pyrite-rich intermediate argillic alteration. Further testing and
analysis will also determine if ‘invisible’ gold is present in the pyrite, pyrrhotite, and chalcopyrite.
Recovery methods can also be determined and tested after combining the results of mineralogy
tests with other data (eg results of comminution tests). Indices for the mineralisation and recovery
are developed using image analysis and analytical testing. These indices are correlated with
recovery data from the company to develop a predictive block model for recovery. The goal is to
develop cost-effective, efficient methods to analyse the mineralogy and geology of the deposit;
understand the variability in the mineralogy, geology, and recovery; and construct a predictive
geometallurgical recovery model.

INTRODUCTION
La Colosa is an exploration project undergoing prefeasibility
studies for production by AngloGold Ashanti. It is a gold-rich
porphyry deposit with low copper values and minor to trace
molybdenum amounts and is located on the eastern side of the
Central Cordillera in the northern Andes in Colombia (Lodder,
et al, 2010). The gold mineralisation occurs with sulfides (eg
pyrite and pyrrhotite), silicates (eg feldspars and quartz), along
silicate phase boundaries, intermediate argillic alteration,
gold tellurides and as ‘invisible’ gold in the sulfides. This
study analysed the types of mineralisation for their grain size,
texture, associations and deportment. The sulfides, tellurides
and copper-bearing phases associated with the mineralisation
as well as ‘invisible’ gold might have a major impact on the
recovery of the gold. The ‘invisible’ gold may also have an impact
on the recovery of the gold. Testing for deleterious and trace
elements in the sulfide and silicate minerals will be performed
for their impact on the gold recovery. With the mineralogical
data, the deposit is domained with respect to its mineralogical
aspects. The mineralogical data is then modelled and correlated
with the recovery data from the company’s analyses. All of the
mineralogy and recovery data is integrated into a predictive
geometallurgical block model using developed indices.

1. Exploration Geologist. CODES/University of Tasmania/AngloGold Ashanti, PO Box 191, Victor CO 80863, USA. Email: sleichliter@anglogoldashantina.com
2. Research Fellow, CODES/University of Tasmania, Private Bag 126, Hobart Tas 7001. Email: Julie.Hunt@utas.edu.au
3. Associate Professor, CODES/University of Tasmania, Private Bag 126, Hobart Tas 7001. Email: berry@postoffice.utas.edu.au
4. Research Fellow, JKMRC, The University of Queensland, Brisbane Qld 4072. Email: l.keeney@uq.edu.au
5. MAusIMM, Professional Senior Geologist, JKMRC/AngloGold Ashanti Colombia, Calle 114 No 9-01 Torre A, Oficina 1206 Bogota, Colombia. Email: pmontoya@anglogoldashanti.com
6. FAusIMM, Vice President – Geosciences, AngloGold Ashanti Limited, PO Box 62117, Marshalltown Johannesburg 2107, South Africa. Email: vchamberlain@anglogoldashanti.com
7. MAusIMM, Geology Manager, AngloGold Ashanti Colombia, Calle 114 No 9-01 Torre A, Oficina 1206 Bogota, Colombia. Email: rjahoda@anglogoldashanti.com
8. Metallurgical Manager, AngloGold Ashanti Colombia, Calle 114 No 9-01 Torre A, Oficina 1206 Bogota, Colombia. Email: udrews@anglogoldashanti.com

THE FIRST AUSIMM INTERNATIONAL GEOMETALLURGY CONFERENCE / BRISBANE, QLD, 5 - 7 SEPTEMBER 2011 85
S LEICHLITER et al
GEOLOGY AND ALTERATION
Geology
The La Colosa deposit is located in complex and
heterogeneous terrains with the Romeral fault system on the
west boundary and the Palestina fault system on the eastern
boundary of the porphyry gold system (Lodder et al, 2010)
(Figure 1). The basement rocks in the La Colosa region are
the Paleozoic Cajamarca Group, which includes greenschist
facies metamorphosed sandstone sequences along with
quartzite, marble and amphibolites (Lodder et al, 2010). The
basement rocks local to the deposit are green and black schists
and hornfels. The porphyry system has three main intrusive
events: early, intermineral and late (Figure 2). The early event
produced three intrusive phases (E1, E2 and E3) of diorite
with various textures, and these are main host rocks for the
higher grade gold mineralisation. There are two phases (I1 and
I2) of intermineral diorite, and these have textures similar to
those of the early diorite. The early diorite is associated with
FIG 1 - Simplified geology and structure of the La Colosa region modified
after Cediel and Càceres (2000) and Núñez (2001) from Lodder et al (2010).
Coordinates are in WGS-84.
86 THE FIRST AUSIMM INTERNATIONAL GEOMETALLURGY CONFERENCE / BRISBANE, QLD, 5 - 7 SEPTEMBER 2011
two igneous breccias (EBX1 and EBX2) and the intermineral
diorite with one (IBX). Igneous breccia (SBx) is also associated
with the basement schist.
The deposit at La Colosa is currently divided into three
districts: La Colosa, Metamorphic Central and San Antonio
(Figure 2). Currently, the designed pit for production is
in the district of La Colosa, which will be the focal point of
the initial mineralogy tests for recovery. This area includes
the early diorite phases and the mineralisation immediately
surrounding them. The area just to the south of the La
Colosa district is the Metamorphic Central, which is a zone of
hornfels with dacitic and intermineral dykes that are intruded
along the western side of the hornfels near the hornfels-schist
contact. These dikes strike northwest with an approximate
dip of 75 to 80 degrees east and are continuous for hundreds
of metres. The mineralisation in the Metamorphic Central is
erratic with a concentration of ore along the contacts with the
dykes. The area in the southern most part of the system is
San Antonio, which has different porphyritic intrusions and
hydrothermal breccias than the northern La Colosa district.
This area is currently being explored.
Alteration
The types of alteration at the La Colosa deposit include potassic,
potassic-calcic, sodic-calcic, intermediate argillic, sericite, and
propylitic (Lodder, et al, 2010). The alteration at the deposit
has two dominant styles in the early and intermineral diorites,
which are potassic and potassic-calcic. The potassic alteration
consists of phlogopitic biotite, hornblende, pyrite, chalcopyrite
and secondary potassic feldspar. In the potassically altered
rocks, secondary phlogopitic biotite occurs as replacement
of both ferromagnesians and the groundmass, and potassic
feldspar alteration appears like halos along veinlets.
Alteration intensity ranges from moderate to strong. Within
the strongly potassically altered rocks, secondary pyrite may
occur at the rims of the biotite. Some pyrite shows inclusions
of chalcopyrite. The pyrrhotite could be related to the potassic
alteration and locally replaces pyrite and hornblende in zones
close to the contact with basement rocks. The potassic-calcic
alteration is similar to the potassic assemblage but includes
actinolite and albite. The actinolite can replace the phenocrysts
and appear as veinlets. The albite is present in the quartz and
sulfide vein halos. The sodic-calcic alteration appears in minor
amounts as centimetre-size spots and as veinlets consisting of
epidote, actinolite, and chlorite with albite halos. The sodic-
calcic assemblage can overprint the potassic alteration in the
early porphyritic diorites. The sodic-calcic alteration intensity
is weak to moderate throughout the diorites. The sericite
alteration is weak and overprints the potassic alteration. The
sericite alteration includes sericite, fine-grained pyrite and
quartz. It is concentrated along veins. Weak chlorite alteration
assemblages, consisting of chlorite, pyrite and chalcopyrite,
which can show phenocryst replacement with hornblende and
biotite, also occur in the early and intermineral diorites.
The hornfels rocks have moderate to weak alteration with
potassic, potassic-calcic, sodic-calcic, and chlorite assemblages
similar to the diorites. Muscovite has been replaced by biotite
and pyrite replaced by marcasite. Intermediate argillic,
sericitic and propylitic alteration is present in the late dacite
in trace to minor amounts.
Veins
Many different types of veinlets associated with the La Colosa
deposit span the potassic and sodic-calcic alteration events.
The veinlets associated with a typical gold-rich porphyry
 DEVELOPMENT OF A PREDICTIVE GEOMETALLURGICAL RECOVERY MODEL FOR THE LA COLOSA, PORPHYRY GOLD DEPOSIT, COLOMBIA

FIG 2 - Geologic map of the La Colosa gold porphyry deposit, Colombia. The planned pit shell is outlined. The area is underlain largely by early diorite (blue) along with
minor amounts of intermineral diorite (pink) and hornfels (purple). Collar locations of past drilling are also shown. Three districts of the La Colosa deposit are La Colosa,
Metamorphic Central and San Antonio. The main focus of production currently will be the La Colosa district in the north. Map is provided by AngloGold Ashanti Colombia.

deposit are the quartz-magnetite-chalcopyrite (A type), quartz-

chalcopyrite (A type), magnetite-actinolite (M type), and
chlorite-pyrite-quartz-chalcopyrite veinlets (Sillitoe, 2010).
The La Colosa deposit has the following types of principal
veinlets: veins of fine grained early biotite (EB), vitreous
quartz veins with or without sulfides or magnetite and may
have a potassic alteration halo (A type), vitreous quartz veins
with a sulfide suture and without a potassic alteration halo (B
type), magnetite veins with or without actinolite (M type), and
pyrite-pyrrhotite veins with or without chalcopyrite (S type)
(Table 1). Minor veinlets include actinolite veinlets with albite
and epidote with or without magnetite and pyrite (N type),
chlorite veinlets with or without pyrite (Chl), pyrite veinlets
with halos of quartz-sericite (D type), actinolite veinlets with
or without sulfides (Act) and calcite veinlets with or without
quartz (Ca) (Table 2).
There appears to be multiple generations of the quartz-sulfide
and sulfide-only veins, and both can have a stockwork texture.
The B, D, and EB type veinlets are more typical of copper-
molybdenum deposits than of typical gold-rich porphyry
TABLE 1
Types of major veins observed at the La Colosa gold porphyry deposit.
Type Assemblage
EB fine grained biotite
A quartz ± magnetite ± sulfides (with potassic alteration halo)
B quartz ± sulfide suture (no halo)
M magnetite ± actinolite
S pyrite ± pyrrhotite ± chalcopyrite
TABLE 2
Types of minor veins observed at the La Colosa gold porphyry deposit which
includes chlorite (Chl), actinolite (Act), and calcite (Ca).
Type Assemblage
N albite ± epidote ± magnetite ± pyrite
Chl chlorite ± pyrite
D pyrite (halo of quartz-sericite alteration)
Act actinolite ± sulfides
Ca calcite ± quartz
deposits (Sillitoe, 2010). Veinlets are analysed for their gold
content, associations, alteration assemblages and correlation
with mineralisation. Typically, gold-rich porphyries should
show correlation between the gold mineralisation and the A
and S type veinlets.
GOLD MINERALISATION STUDY
The gold mineralisation at La Colosa is found in veinlets,
disseminated sulfides and silicates throughout the rock.
The main sulfides include pyrite and pyrrhotite, with minor
amounts of chalcopyrite, marcasite and molybdenite. Native
gold is found as free grains within pyrite and as trace amounts
within silicates (eg feldspars and quartz). As stated above, the
assays and logging information from the samples currently
show there is no strong correlation between a particular
lithology, mineral, or vein type (Figure 3). This suggests
domaining the deposit with respect to gold mineralisation
may provide a better understanding of the variability within
the deposit.

THE FIRST AUSIMM INTERNATIONAL GEOMETALLURGY CONFERENCE / BRISBANE, QLD, 5 - 7 SEPTEMBER 2011 87
S LEICHLITER et al

FIG 3 - Correlations from ioGAS between the lithologies, alteration, minerals and vein types logged at La Colosa and gold mineralisation using all the data provided by
the company. Notice there is no strong (>0.5) relationship with the gold mineralisation. Disregard vein type VNLT_PO, because it is no longer logged. The vein types are
A type (VNLT_A), B type (VNLT_B), D type (VNLT_D), and S type (VNLT_S).
Methodology
The types of mineralisation and deleterious elements are
identified so possible recovery issues can be addressed.
Deleterious and trace elements at La Colosa includes arsenic,
bismuth, selenium, antimony, tellurium, organic carbon,
mercury, nickel and cobalt. The arsenic content of iron
sulfides are analysed and the abundance and grain size of
the sulfides examined. As pyrrhotite can be detrimental to
the recovery process for gold, the abundance of pyrite versus
pyrrhotite is determined. The organic carbon content could
have a preg-robbing potential. The type of gold mineralisation
is incorporated into a mineralisation index that reflects the
minerals associated with the gold mineralisation and their
variability in the deposit.
Detailed geological logging of core samples is performed
utilising the current procedures at the site plus some
modifications for other key details developed specifically
for this project. The logging allows for the analysis of the
macroscopic aspects of the deposit, and it is hoped that the
macroscopic details can be correlated to the microscopic
analyses. Approximately 70 two metre interval samples
are selected for analysis based on gold grade and their
geometallurgical variability. Two metre sample intervals were
chosen to match the site assay interval so that results can then
be compared to assays values and other tests performed on
the same samples, eg small scale comminution and recovery
tests (Montoya et al, 2011). Each sample was photographed
and logged. The photographs may be used in automated
logging by a program, such as Definiens, but a detailed rule
set has not been established for the deposit. Automated
logging techniques like spectral scanning of the core are being
investigated for their application. Multiple cross-sections
were constructed based on the company’s logged information
and assay data to see a spatial association with the alteration,
vein types, and lithologies. The company’s quantitative X-ray
diffraction (QXRD) data on the assay samples was also utilised
to understand the various mineralogical variations.
Preliminary Scanning Electron Microscope – Mineral
Liberation Analyser (MLA) studies show the presence of
various species of sulfides which include arsenopyrite (arsenian
pyrite), chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite along with pyrite. The
chalcopyrite appears as small grains and the pyrrhotite is as
abundant as the pyrite. Preliminary studies with the Laser
Ablation microprobe indicate that some gold is located in the
pyrite/pyrrhotite grains with traces of copper, arsenic, cobalt,
and nickel (Figure 4). The gold appears to be both consistent
and as erratic in the pyrite. The copper appears to be as erratic
in the pyrite while the arsenic appearing to be inconsistent
with the pyrite. To date, no strong correlation between the
copper and gold mineralisation in the pyrite grains has been
observed.
Samples were analysed using the Automated Optical
Microscope and the MLA. The SPL_Lite and XMOD methods
of the MLA were used to determine the gold association,
texture and deportment.
Summary of results
Initial detailed logging carried out in this study of the early
and intermineral diorites shows a possible relationship
between strong potassic alteration, pyrite and A type veins
which exhibit a vuggy texture in the quartz (Figure 5) and high
grade gold mineralisation, possibly due to an overprinting of
sericite alteration (Figure 6). In the hornfels, there appears
to be a relationship between the potassic alteration, gold

88 THE FIRST AUSIMM INTERNATIONAL GEOMETALLURGY CONFERENCE / BRISBANE, QLD, 5 - 7 SEPTEMBER 2011
 DEVELOPMENT OF A PREDICTIVE GEOMETALLURGICAL RECOVERY MODEL FOR THE LA COLOSA, PORPHYRY GOLD DEPOSIT, COLOMBIA

FIG 4 - Preliminary results from LAM from pyrite (~35 μm) from sample COL-055 with spot size of 35 μm/ 5 Hz/ 90 sec (pre-ablated). The data shows gold (red) along
with trace amounts of copper (dark green), arsenic (light green), cobalt (blue-green), and nickel (blue) found in the pyrite grain.

Quartz-sulfide vein
(D type) with sericite
alteration
overprinting the
potassic alteration.

Vuggy texture
in quartz-
sulfide vein

FIG 5 - Vuggy texture in quartz-sulfide vein from sample COL-040

114 m - 116 m.
mineralisation and a high degree of deformation (eg increased
amount of fractures and crenulations). Multiple types of pyrite
were observed, and they will be analysed for their relationship
to the gold mineralisation by using the laser ablation
microprobe. Data analysis of whole rock geochemistry show
weak associations of gold with bismuth, tellurium and sulfur.
These studies did not identify any direct, strong relationship
with a particular lithology, alteration, or vein type. The spatial
relationship between the gold mineralisation and these
aspects was observed in the cross-sections. The cross-sections
show the potassic and potassic-calcic alteration envelope

FIG 6 - Quartz-sulfide vein with quartz-sericite halo from COL062
126 m - 128 m.
includes most of the gold mineralisation. They also confirm
the tellurides are associated with the hornfels and the sulfide
with the diorites. The cross sections show the A type veinlets
appear to be associated with the gold mineralisation in the
eastern portion of the deposit or within the diorites. The S type
veins appear to be strongly related with gold in the western
section or within the hornfels. Both A and S type veins have
a correlation with gold in the early diorites. The QXRD data
agrees with the spatial findings. The QXRD data of weakly

THE FIRST AUSIMM INTERNATIONAL GEOMETALLURGY CONFERENCE / BRISBANE, QLD, 5 - 7 SEPTEMBER 2011 89
S LEICHLITER et al
altered (almost fresh) rocks and the samples (mineralised or
strongly altered) show an enrichment of k feldspar, pyrite and
biotite and a depletion of quartz and hornblende.
The data from the automated optical microscope’s reflected
light images did not yield much useful information. This is due
to the fine-grained nature of the gold and its associations with
both gangue and sulfides. The gangue phases (feldspars) are
difficult to differentiate in reflected light. The SPL_Lite method
from the MLA analysis shows the gold grain size distribution
and mineralogical associations (Figure 7a, b and c). The
data shows two major grain sizes in the deposit, early and
intermineral diorites with approximately six microns and
hornfels with fourteen microns. The gold is fine-grained to very
fine-grained. The major mineral associations for the samples
are potassic feldspar, pyrite, quartz and plagioclase. There is
a minor association with bismuth tellurides. The dominant
mineral phase associated with the gold mineralisation is
different for each lithology. The early diorite has a strong
pyrite-gold relationship. The intermineral diorite has a strong
potassic feldspar-gold association, but also has a pyrite-gold
component. The hornfels has a dominant potassic feldspar
association with a minor quartz relationship. The bismuth
telluride relationship is more prevalent in the hornfels than
in the diorites. It is interpreted the gold mineralisation varies
in the lithologies, disseminated with the pyrite and vein with
mineralisation in the early diorites and vein dominated in the
intermineral diorite and hornfels.
The information gathered from the gold mineralisation
study is used to develop a mineralisation index. This index is
Examples of Gold Associations
Gold
Pyrite
COL005_122Ͳ124
(A)
Plagioclase
COL005_122Ͳ124
(C)
FIG 7 (A) (B) and (C) - Examples of gold mineralisation from MLA BSE images. Samples from holes COL005 122 m - 124 m, and COL005 42 m - 44 m.
90 THE FIRST AUSIMM INTERNATIONAL GEOMETALLURGY CONFERENCE / BRISBANE, QLD, 5 - 7 SEPTEMBER 2011
used to search for correlations with macroscopic parameters
visible in drill core which would allow for quick identification
of rocks likely to contain gold mineralisation. Any correlations
identified between the macroscopic mineralogical aspect and
the mineralisation index aids the development of a predictive
recovery model, because they limit the necessary use of
expensive analyses (eg MLA or LAM test work).
RECOVERY
The goal of this project is to develop a predictive
geometallurgical recovery block model, which integrates
the mineralogical and metallurgical variations found in the
deposit. To understand the heterogeneities present, indices
for flotation and leachability are developed and combined into
a single recovery index.
The initial process flow sheet for the La Colosa deposit
includes gravity and/or flotation concentration circuits
prior to a leach circuit. To determine if the flotation
concentration method is effective, the Julius Kruttschnitt
Mineral Separability Indicator (JKMSI) test may be utilised to
attempt to preconcentrate the samples with respect to sulfides
(Bradshaw, 2010; Hunt, Berry and Bradshaw, 2011). Flotation
may or may not be an effective process due to the types of gold
mineralisation. This data will then be compared to the results
of batch flotation tests being performed by the company, to
determine its effectiveness. The mineralogy of the flotation
tailings might be analysed to understand the nature of the
gold losses. Small-scale diagnostic leaching tests, such as
shake leach assays and bottle rolls, may be performed on the
KFeldspar
Bis Te
Quartz
Gold
COL005_42Ͳ44 (B)
Gold

 DEVELOPMENT OF A PREDICTIVE GEOMETALLURGICAL RECOVERY MODEL FOR THE LA COLOSA, PORPHYRY GOLD DEPOSIT, COLOMBIA
samples to determine their leachability (Benvie et al, 2010).
Results from the tests will be compared to bulk leach tests and
variability tests which are being performed by the company
currently.
The results of the macroscopic, microscopic, and ‘invisible’
gold studies are analysed to determine the mineral balance
for gold among the minerals and for the optimal recovery
process. The mineral balance for gold, which includes the
amount of cyanidable gold, gold tellurides, free, exposed
and locked gold, recoverable gold and ‘invisible’ gold, is
determined by examining the data gathered from the various
techniques. This includes data on the location of gold, such
as in silicates, silicate boundaries, sulfides, gold tellurides and
‘invisible’ gold. This provides the amounts or percentages of
the various types of gold which may impact recovery and will
be incorporated into any recovery index.
By determining the location and ‘recoverability’ of the
gold, the recovery process can be tailored to treat the ore.
For example, gold tellurides are difficult to process using
cyanidation and may require finer grinding and possible
oxidation. Pyrrhotite and marcasite affect the cyanidation as
oxygen consumers (Marsden and House, 2006). Chalcopyrite
can be a cyanide consumer (Marsden and House, 2006).
‘Invisible’ gold requires finer grinding and other processes
depending on whether the gold is found in inclusions or as
solid solution with the sulfides (Marsden and House, 2006).
Prior leaching test results provided by the company show
recovery from 20 per cent to 80 per cent, and this variability
needs to be understood. The best way to comprehend the
inconsistent recoveries is by understanding the mineralogy of
the gold mineralisation and its associations. The data from the
leaching has been correlated and flotation tests results will be
incorporated into any recovery index that is developed.
Using the company’s shake leach assay data from an analysis
performed at a commercial laboratory in 2007 (approximately
960 samples), a predictive recovery model was constructed.
The shake leach assay test was selected, because it is a quick,
concentrated method to determine the cyanidability of the
sample in a cost-effective manner. The data was filtered
to greater than the cut-off grade and measured shake leach
recoveries greater than 100 per cent. This was done to ensure
the validity of the data for the remaining approximately
650 samples. The results from the gold mineralisation study
were used in determining which parameters to input into the
prediction model. The parameters are gold grade (fire assay
or head assay), tellurium and sulfur (multi-element assays).
A multiple linear regression was performed on each major
lithology, due to the variability in the gold mineralisation, and
a model to predict the shake leach assay by major lithology
was constructed with a R2 value greater than 0.83 for each
regression. This predictive shake leach assay can then be
used to estimate the shake leach recovery. The absolute
error of the estimated shake leach recoveries was calculated
and then averaged for a value of 13.7 per cent. The results of
the gold mineralogy study allowed for the development of
a strong predictive shake leach recovery model. The shake
leach recovery results will be correlated to the company’s
bulk and variability testing. The recovery estimation is then
incorporated into the block model for the deposit so that
potential recovery issues can be observed.
CONCLUSION
The La Colosa deposit is a large gold porphyry deposit
which is undergoing prefeasibility with AngloGold Ashanti.
During this time of permitting, it is crucial to perform
THE FIRST AUSIMM INTERNATIONAL GEOMETALLURGY CONFERENCE / BRISBANE, QLD, 5 - 7 SEPTEMBER 2011
analysis to understand what controls the variability in the
deposit, including the mineralogy and recovery. Methods
utilising automated optical microscope, MLA, and LAM aid
in determining the variability in the gold mineralisation,
texture, and associations. By analysing and understanding
the gold mineralisation and its variability, the recovery of the
gold is predicted. This information is then used to develop a
predictive recovery block model for the gold mineralisation.
By understanding the variability of the mineralisation
and predicting the recoveries for the gold, there is less risk
involved in processing the ore. The predictive model could
be used to show the variability within predicted recovery, so
that planning and mining adjustments can be performed to
optimise efficiency.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The research on the La Colosa project is part of the AMIRA
P843A Geometallurgical Mapping and Mine Modelling
(GeMIII) Project. This research is part of a major collaborative
geometallurgical project being undertaken at CODES and
SES (University of Tasmania), JKMRC, BRC and CMLR
(Sustainable Minerals Institute, University of Queensland)
and Parker Centre CRC (CSIRO). The authors acknowledges
financial support and permisson to publish from industry
sponsors AMIRA P843 and P843A GEMIII projects – Anglo
Gold Ashanti, Anglo American, ALS, Barrick, BHP Billiton,
Boliden, CAE Mining (Datamine), Codelco, Geotek, Goldfields,
Golder Associates, ioGlobal, Metso Minerals, Minera San
Cristobal, MMG, Newcrest Newmont, OZ Minerals, Penoles,
Quantitative Geoscience, Rio Tinto, Teck, Vale and Xstrata
Copper MIM. Financial support is also being provided by the
Australian Government through CODES and CRC Ore. The
authors acknowledge the permission to publish and financial
support given by AngloGold Ashanti and the information and
assistance provided by the site personnel with AngloGold
Ashanti Colombia.
REFERENCES
Benvie, B, Kuhar, L, Jeffrey, M and Botsis, N, 2010. Determination of
copper and gold deportment by diagnostic leaching, in Technical
Report 6, 5.4, pp 1-35, (AMIRA P843A Geometallurgical Mapping
and Mine Modeling).
Bradshaw, D, 2010. Liberation and recovery modelling, Technical
Report 4, 5.1-5.8, (AMIRA P843A Geometallurgical Mapping and
Mine Modeling).
Hunt, J, Berry, R and Bradshaw, D, 2011. Characterising liberation
and flotation potential using image analysis, simulated
fragmentation and small-scale flotation, in Proceedings The
First AusIMM International Geometallurgy Conference, pp 331-
334 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy:
Melbourne).
Lodder, C, Padilla, R, Shaw, R, Garzon, T, Palacio, E and Jahoda, R,
2010. Discovery history of the La Colosa Gold Porphyry Deposit,
Cajamarca, Colombia, Special Publication 15, pp 19-28. (Society
of Economic Geologists).
Marsden, J and House, I, 2006. The Chemistry of Gold Extraction,
second edition, pp 19-64 (Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and
Exploration Inc (SME): Littleton, Colorado).
Montoya, P A, Keeney, L, Jahoda, R, Hunt, J, Berry, R, Drews,
U and Chamberlain, V, 2011. Geometallurgical modelling
techniques applicable to prefeasibility projects – La Colosa Study,
in Proceedings The First AusIMM International Geometallurgy
Conference, pp 103-112 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and
Metallurgy: Melbourne).
Sillitoe, R H, 2010. Porphyry copper systems, in Economic Geology,
105:3-41.
91