Mining Magazine > Panorama > More Pythons for Central Rand

Following the successful delivery and installation of a Python 200 underground processing plant at Central Rand Gold (CRG) mine in Johannesburg, Gekko has announced that the mine has placed an order for a further two Python 500 units.

The Python 200 plant was installed at CRG in October 2008 and has been commissioned and operated under contract by Gekko’s South African office, as reported by MM in the March 2009 article “Gekko’s Python bites.” The unit is currently operating at a throughput capacity of 20t/h.

The new 50 t/h Python 500 design is nearing completion, and construction of the initial unit is well under way. CRG intends to commission the units underground by the end of 2010. The systems have been designed to be transported down a conventional mine decline. The Python keyhole processing concept offers significant environmental benefits with reduced comminution costs and a small footprint. The fully automated plant crushes, grinds and pre-concentrates ore leaving just 5-30% of concentrate for pumping to the surface.  

Gekko’s technical director, Sandy Gray said: “Keyhole processing eliminates the need to carry the entire ore body mass up to ground level. Tailings are disposed in voids, haulage, operating and processing costs are substantially reduced and environmental impacts are minimised.”

Key features of the Python include a two-stage, high reduction crushing circuit, InLine Pressure Jigmulti-stage gravity circuit, and high capacity flash flotation. The new 500 design is a stepping stone to a broad range of throughput options. Modular expansions can also be included, such as milling or flotation, as dictated by the variability of the ore.