Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro28 Syys 2025

Ep 130: Comminution Circuits Explained: Maximise Throughput, Minimise Costs

Getting your comminution circuit right is critical for the success of any mining project. In this episode of Fresh Thinking, Tarrant Elkington (General Manager, Snowden Optiro) is joined by Dr. Leon Lorenzen (Executive Consultant), who brings over 40 years of experience in processing and plant design.

They explore how to design and optimise SAG, ball, and ultrafine grinding circuits, balancing throughput, recovery, and cost to maximise a project's NPV.

What You'll Learn:

⏱ 00:54 – What is comminution and why it matters in mining
⏱ 02:15 – Typical circuit options: SAG, ball, SABC, IsaMill, HIGmill
⏱ 04:00 – What makes a circuit design "optimal" – technical vs. economic factors
⏱ 05:13 – The impact of grind size on gold recovery and project value
⏱ 07:10 – Life-of-mine considerations for different ore domains
⏱ 08:29 – How Mine-to-Mill blasting strategies affect plant performance
⏱ 10:02 – Examples of comminution circuit design failures and lessons learned
⏱ 12:30 – Final advice for getting comminution design right from the start

If you would like to contact either Tarrant or Leon: contact@snowdenoptiro.com

Explore more: https://snowdenoptiro.com/

👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more technical mining insights from our global consulting team.

Fresh Thinking by Snowden Optiro is rapidly becoming the best mining podcast globally - you can find our podcasts on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and most other podcast platforms.

Who we are:
Snowden Optiro is a resources consulting and advisory group that provides independent advice, consulting and training to mining and exploration companies, their advisors and investors. We help mine developers to advance their projects, mining companies to improve their operations and their professionals, and investors to de-risk their investments by the provision of quality advice, training and software in the field of Mineral Resources and Mineral/Ore Reserves.

For training or consulting enquiries:
training(at)snowdenoptiro.com contact(at)snowdenoptiro.com

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