Campbell Mine Autoclave

Placer Dome contracted Fluor Daniel Wright to perform the detailed design, procurement, commissioning and start-up assistance for an autoclave expansion at their Campbell processing facility. The fast-track project required all CAD design to be completed to tender the bid on a lump sum basis with construction drawings.

In addition to the autoclave, other facilities include a boiler plant for startup, high pressure agitator seal water and autoclave quench water systems, and a 35 t/day oxygen plant (by others).

Client's Challenge

The installation of the autoclave increased the recovery of gold and provided Placer Dome with better control of tailings constituents. The complex included infrastructure and processing facilities required to treat refractory concentrates. The existing roaster was also replaced.

Fluor's Solution

The autoclave plant contains a lead and brick lined autoclave that operates at 190°C and 290 psig. The associated flash vessel drops the process stream down to atmospheric pressure. Fluor Daniel Wright's responsibilities included:

Detailed design of the entire autoclave plant
Specifications for equipment and materials for procurement
Tendering bid recommendations and requisitions for all equipment
Distributed control system (DCS) programming
Field commissioning
Ongoing operations support

Conclusion

The fast-track Campbell Mine Autoclave project was completed in 13 months from kickoff, successfully delivered on schedule and within budget.