The Gruyere Gold Project is located in the Yamarna Greenstone Belt and is situated on mining lease M38/1267, approximately 200km east of Laverton in Western Australia.
With estimated ore reserves of more than 3.5 million ounces (Moz) of gold to be produced over an initial 13-year mine life, the project is claimed as one of the most significant undeveloped gold deposits in Australia.
The Challenge
The project required the construction of seven carbon-in-leach tanks. The challenge for Pacific Urethanes was to deliver the following polyurethane system which would
- utilise a lining system that resists a highly abrasive and corrosive chemical environment
- Allow for a quick turnaround and start-up of the plant. The lining of the tanks was one of the last contracts of the project in the construction phase
- Provide long-term protection of the structure
Pacific Urethanes – Advanced Technology
Carbon-in-leach (CIL) is a continuous process that uses activated carbon, sodium cyanide and other highly corrosive liquids in a cascade of large agitated tanks. The CIL process is widely used to recover or concentrate precious metals in gold extraction plants throughout Australia.
This process involves tank linings being subjected to highly corrosive and abrasive slurry mixtures. This is an environment which standard protective coatings would not withstand.
Pacific Urethanes Polyeuro 1050H high performance elastomeric polyurethane is the preferred coating option for CIL tanks based on its reduced application time, overall cost and life expectancy of the coating.
Pacific Urethanes was able to provide
- Demonstrated past histories of success in this environment over many years
- Guidance on project specification and application requirements
- Technical support throughout the project on techniques to fast track completion of the project
