CALCULATION SHEET

REAGENTS AND WAREHOUSE CALCULATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.1.0. OBJECTIVE

2.1.0. BASIS OF CALCULATION

3.1.0. OPERATION SCHEDULE

4.1.0. REAGENTS CONSUMPTION

4.2.0. Sodium cyanide (NaCN)
4.2.1. Theoretical NaCN consumption ratio
4.2.2. Theoretical NaCN consumption
4.2.3. Real NaCN consumption
4.2.4. NaCN unit consumption
4.2.5. NaCN concentration in process
4.2.6. NaCN preparation
4.2.7. NaCN preparation tank
4.2.8. NaCN day tank
4.2.9. NaCN dosage ratio
4.3.0. Lime (CaO)
4.3.1. Lime consumption
4.3.2. Lime for NaCN preparation
4.3.3. Lime unit consumption
4.3.4. Lime slaking
4.3.5. Lime preparation
4.3.6. Lime slurry preparation tank
4.3.7. Lime slurry day tank
4.3.8. Lime slurry dosage rate
4.3.9. Lime silo
4.3.10. Lime delivering
4.4.0. Zinc Powder (Zn metallic)
4.4.1. Theoretical Zn consumption ratio
4.4.2. Theoretical Zn consumption
4.4.3. Real Zn consumption
4.4.4. Zn unit consumption
4.4.5. Zn dosage ratio
4.5.0. Lead nitrate (Pb(NO3)2)
4.5.1. Lead nitrate consumption
4.5.2. Lead nitrate concentration
4.5.3. Lead nitrate unit consumption
4.5.4. Lead nitrate preparation
4.5.5. Lead nitrate preparation tank
4.5.6. Lead nitrate day tank
4.5.7. Lead nitrate dosage rate
4.6.0. Diatomaceous earth
4.6.1. Diatomaceous earth unit consumption
4.7.0. Secondary reagents
4.7.1. Cupric sulphate
4.7.2. Sodium meta bisulphite preparation

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5.1.0. REAGENTS SUPPLYING

5.2.0. Sodium cyanide
5.3.0. Lime
5.4.0. Zinc
5.5.0. Lead nitrate
5.6.0. Diatomaceous earth
5.7.0. Secondary reagents
5.8.0. Total supplying

6.1.0. WATER NECESSITY FOR REAGENTS

7.1.0. REAGENTS WAREHOUSE

7.2.0. Warehouse design
7.3.0. Warehouse sizing
7.3.1. Sodium cyanide
7.3.2. Zinc
7.3.3. Diatomite
7.3.4. Lead nitrate
7.3.5. Cupric sulphate
7.3.6. Sodium meta bisulphite
7.3.7. Warehouse total size

8.1.0. CONCLUSION

9.1.0. APPENDIX (REAGENTS BENCHMARKING)

9.2.0. Cyanide consumption benchmarking
9.2.1. Compaa Minera Ares S.A.C:
9.2.2. Ecuador mining:
9.3.0. Lime consumption benchmarking
9.4.0. Lead nitrate benchmarking
9.5.0. Diatomaceous earth benchmarking
9.6.0. Zinc benchmarking

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1.0.0 OBJECTIVE: To calculate all reagents consumption and design the warehouse

2.0.0 BASIS OF CALCULATION

Plant processing capacity : 2166 t/d (design)

Availability : 93 %

Outflow from cyanidation : 2690.01 m3/d

3.0.0 OPERATION SCHEDULE

Based on 93 percent availability, 2166 t/d (design) must be processed to yield an overall
production rate of 2014 t/d (nominal):

2014 / 0.93 = 2166 t/d (design)

Annual operation according to the 93 percent availability is 339 (design) days per year

365 x 0.93 = 339 d/y (design)

The operation schedule is: seven (7) days a week, twenty-four (24) hours per day, two (2) shifts
per day and twelve (12) hours per shift. Giving a total of one hundred sixty-eight (168) hours per
week.

4.0.0 REAGENTS CONSUMPTION

All calculus is based on 93 percent availability (2166 t/d). All values were calculated for design
values. For nominal and design values please refer to the "Design Criteria" documents.

4.1.0 Sodium cyanide (NaCN)

4.1.1. Theoretical NaCN consumption ratio

Having the molecular weights of Ag: 107.9 g/mol, Au: 197 g/mol and NaCN: 49 g/mol it is
possible to calculate according to the following equilibrium equations, the theoretical amount of
sodium cyanide consumed per silver plus gold gram: g (Ag + Au) / g NaCN

2Ag + 4NaCN + O2 + 2H2O 2Na[Ag(CN)2] + H2O + 2NaOH . . . (1)

2Au + 4NaCN + O2 + 2H2O 2Na[Au(CN)2] + H2O + 2NaOH . . . (2)

To dissolve 2 moles of Ag or Au is necessary 4 moles of NaCN, then, to produce 1 g of Ag is

necessary 0.91 g of NaCN and to produce 1 g of Au is necessary 0.5 g of NaCN:

NaCN to produce 1 g of Ag = (4 x 49) / (2 x 107.9) = 0.908 g

NaCN to produce 1 g of Au = (4 x 49) / (2 x 197) = 0.497 g

Then, the total ratio of NaCN consumption is (0.908 + 0.497) g = 1.406 g

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4.1.2. Theoretical NaCN consumption

Metallic content that enters the cyanidation process is: 381887.5 g of Ag per day and 1330.8 g
of Au per day. Then, the NaCN consumed per day is 347.511 kg:

NaCN for Ag = 381887.5 x 0.908 = 346848.7 g

|NaCN for Au = 1330.8 x 0.497 = 662 g

TOTAL NaCN = 346848.7 + 662 = 347510.7 g = 337.511 kg/d

4.1.3. Real NaCN consumption

Some factors have been applied to scale up the theoretical values to real values:

1) Silver dissolution ratio factor: 2

2) NaCN consumption for pyrite dissolution: 2
3) Security design factor: 2

To scale up to the real values a total factor applied is (2 x 2 x 2): 8

Then, the real NaCN consumption is 2780.1 kg per day.

337.511 x 8 = 2780.1 kg/d (design)

Nominal value is determined by multiplying the 93 percent of availability, then the nominal
consumption of NaCN per day is:

2780.1 x 0.93 = 2585.5 kg/d (nominal)

4.1.4. NaCN unit consumption

Net weight of ore processed per day is 1614.01 t/d (taken away the trash and organic material).
Then, the unit consumption is 1.722 kg of NaCN per ore ton.

2780.1 / 1614.01 = 1.722 kg/t (design)

2585.5 / 1614.01 = 1.602 kg/t (nominal)

4.1.5. NaCN concentration in process

According to the balance the outflow from the cyanidation process is 2690.01 cubic meters.
Considering all the NaCN dissolved and transferred to the solution, its concentration will be
1033.5 g of CN- per cubic meters.

2780.1 x 1000 / 2690.01 = 1033.5 g/m3 (design)

2585.5 x 1000 / 2690.01 = 961.1 g/m3 (nominal)

As it is necessary experimentation for calculate the exact value for free cyanide in the outflow
solution of cyanidation process, we consider as 20 percent value of free cyanide.

Free cyanide: 1033.5 x 0.2 = 0.207 g/m3 (design)

Free cyanide: 961.1 x 0.2 = 0.192.2 g/m3 (nominal)

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4.1.6. NaCN preparation

NaCN is diluted with water at ten (10) percent by weight concentration. With 2780.1 kg per day
the necessity of water to prepare the solution is 25021 liters of water per day

2780.1 x (100 - 10) / 10 = 25021 l (design)

2585.5 x (100 - 10) / 10 = 23265 l (nominal)

The preparation schedule is every twelve (12) hours, i.e. one per shift. The NaCN density is 1.6
g/cm3, then the total volume of cyanide solution prepared at 10 percent by weight per shift is
13379.2 liters

Volume of cyanide: (2780.1 / 1.6) / 2 = 868.8 l (design)

Volume of water: 25021 / 2 = 12510.5 l (design)

Total solution volume per shift: 868.8 + 12510.5 = 13379.3 l (design)

Volume of cyanide: (2585.5 / 1.6) / 2 = 808 l (nominal)

Volume of water: 23265 / 2 = 11632.5 l (nominal)

Total solution volume per shift: 808 + 11632.5 = 12440.5 l (nominal)

4.1.7. NaCN preparation tank

Considering the 85 percent of volume as the net volume of the tank then a 16 cubic meters
cylinder tank is needed.

Total volume: 13379.2 / 0.85 = 15740 l (15.7 m 3) (nominal)

Total volume: 16 m3 (design)

The volume will be divided in two cylinder tanks of 8m 3 each. Each tank is dimensioned 1.8
meters height and 2.4 meters diameters, giving a volume of 8143 liters.

Tank dimensions: 2.4 m x 1.8 m (design)

Tank volume: (1.8 x (/4) x 2.42) = 8.134 m3 (design)

4.1.8. NaCN day tank

Cyanide solution prepared in the preparation tanks is then transferred to a day tank, from where
the solution will be distributed to the cyanidation process. Day tank is dimensioned to storage 24
hours of solution, i.e. 32 cubic meters, and is dimensioned in 2.6 meters height and 4 meters
diameters, giving a total volume of 32673 liters.

Tank dimensions: 4 m x 2.6 m (design)

Tank volume: (2.6 x (/4) x 42) = 32.673 m3 (design)

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4.1.9. NaCN dosage ratio

Considering 24 hours a day, 60 minutes per hour and a total of 1440 minutes per day, the NaCN
dosage ratio is 17.3 l of NaCN solution per minute

2 x 13379.3 / 1440 = 18.6 l/min (design)

2 x 12440.5 / 1440 = 17.3 l/min (nominal)

4.2.0 Lime (CaO)

4.2.1. Lime consumption

According to many references the optimal concentration of slaked lime Ca(OH)2 to reach a pH
around 11 is 0.2 g/l. Then, the consumption of lime (CaO) is 410.92 kg per day. 407.14 kg for
the process and 3.79 kg for cyanide preparation.

Ca(OH)2 concentration in solution = 0.2 g/L,

Then, CaO concentration = 0.2 x (56 / 74) = 0.15135 g/l = 151.35 g/m 3

The outflow solution volume of cyanidation process is 2690.01 cubic metres per day. Having the
lime concentration as 151.35 g per cubic metre, the lime consumption is 407.14 kg per day.

2690.01 x 151.35 / 1000 = 407.14 kg (design)

2690.01 x 0.93 x 151.35 / 1000 = 378.64 kg (nominal)

4.2.2. Lime for NaCN preparation

Lime is also needed for NaCN preparation, to create a pH around 11 in the solution. As
calculated before, the water necessity for NaCN preparation is 25021 litres and lime
concentration in this should be the same as before: 0.15 g/l. Then, multiplying those values, we
obtain the lime consumption for NaCN preparation as 3.79 kg per day.

25021 x 0.15135 / 1000 = 3.79 kg (design)

23265 x 0.15135 / 1000 = 3.52 kg (nominal)

Then, the total lime consumption per day is:

407.14 + 3.79 kg = 410.92 kg (design)

378.64 + 3.52 kg = 382.16 kg (nominal)

4.2.3. Lime unit consumption

Lime consumption per day is 410.92 kg and net weight of ore processed per day is 1614.01
TPD (taken away the trash and organic material). Then, the unit consumption is 0.252 kg of lime
per ore ton.

410.92 / 1614.01 = 0.252 kg/t (design)

382.16 / 1614.01 = 0.237 kg/t (nominal)

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4.2.4. Lime slaking

Before the lime enters the process it is necessary to hydrate it. That is to say convert CaO to
Ca(OH)2. To do that, a small amount of water is necessary according to the following reaction:

CaO + H2O Ca(OH)2 . . . (3)

Knowing that 56 g of CaO reacts with 18 g of H2O to form 74 g of slaked lime:

410.92 x (18 / 56) = 132.08 kg of water is needed for slaking (design)

410.92 x (74 / 56) = 543.01 kg of Ca(OH)2 is formed (design)

382.16 x (74 / 56) = 505 kg of Ca(OH)2 is formed (nominal)

Hydrated (or slaked) lime is also needed for tailings disposal treatment and the consumption is
2554 kg/d, then, the equivalent of quicklime is:

2554 x (56 / 74) = 1932.8 kg/d (design)

And the need of water to slake this is:

2554 x (18/ 74) = 621.3 kg/d (design)

Then, the total water needed to slake the lime is:

132.08 + 621.3 = 753 .4 kg/d (or 753.4 l/d) (design)

4.2.5. Lime preparation

Slaked lime is then, mixed with water at ten (10) percent by weight concentration. With 543.01
kg per day the necessity of water to prepare the solution is 4842.02 litres per day

543.01 x (100 - 10) / 10 = 4842.02 l (design)

505 x (100 - 10) / 10 = 4544.97 l (nominal)

The preparation schedule is every twelve (12) hours, i.e. one per shift. The slaked lime density
is 2.21 g/cm3, then the total volume of lime slurry prepared at 10 percent by weight per shift is
2543.86 litres

Volume of lime: (543.01 / 2.21) / 2 = 122.85 l (design)

Volume of water: 4842.02 / 2 = 2421.01 l (design)

Total solution volume: 122.85 + 2421.01 = 2543.86 l (design)

Volume of lime: (505 / 2.21) / 2 = 114.25 l (nominal)

Volume of water: 4544.97 / 2 = 2272.49 l (nominal)

Total solution volume: 114.25 + 2272.49 = 2386.74 l (nominal)

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4.2.6. Lime slurry preparation tank

Considering the 85 percent of volume as the net volume of the tank then a 3 cubic metres
cylinder tank is needed.

Total volume: 2543.86 / 0.85 = 2992.78 l (3m 3) (nominal)

Total volume: 3.4 m3 (design)

The volume is designed for a cylinder tank and is dimensioned 1.5 metres height and 1.7
metres diameter, giving a volume of 3405 litres.

Tank dimensions: 1.7 m x 1.5 m (design)

Tank volume: (1.5 x (/4) x 1.72) = 3.405 m3 (design)

4.2.7. Lime slurry day tank

Lime slurry prepared in the preparation tank is then transferred to a day tank, from where the
solution will be distributed to the grinding process (ball mill). Day tank is dimensioned to storage
24 hours of solution, i.e. 6.8 cubic metres, and is dimensioned in 1.8 metres height and 2.2
metres diameter, giving a total volume of 6842 litres.

Tank dimensions: 2.2 m x 1.8 m (design)

Tank volume: (1.8 x (/4) x 2.22) = 6.842 m3 (design)

4.2.8. Lime slurry dosage rate

Lime slurry volume per day is 2 x 2543.86 litres = 5087.72 litres per day. Having 1440 minutes
in a day, the dosage ratio of lime slurry at 10 percent by weight will be:

5087.72 / 1440 = 3.53 l/min (design)

2386.74 x 2 / 1440 = 3.31 l/min (nominal)

4.2.9. Lime silo

According to the technical report: Treatment of Cyanide Wastewaters, Solid Tailings and
Organic Material Disposal hydrated lime is needed for tailings treatment, and the daily
consumption is 2.55 t/d.

Then, the total daily consumption of lime is:

410.92 + 2554 x (56 / 74) = 2343 kg/d (design)

382.16 + 2554 x (56 / 74) = 2315 kg/d (nominal)

Having 88 percent of quicklime quality, then, the volume of lime per day is:

(2343 / 0.88) / 3.4 = 784 l (0.784 m3)

And the fortnightly capacity of lime is:

0.784 x 15 = 11.75 m3

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Considering an 0.85 of effective volume of the silo:

Silo volume: 11.75 / 0.85 = 13.83 m3 (nominal)

Silo capacity = 2663 x 15 = 39.95 t (nominal)

Dimensions: 1.9 m diameter and 4.9 m height. (nominal)

According to that, the recommended dimensions for the silo are: 5 m height and 2 m diameter,
giving a total volume of 15.7 cubic meters.

Silo dimensions: 5 m x 2 m (design)

Silo volume: (5 x (/4) x 22) = 15.7 m3 (design)

Silo capacity = 39.95 x (factor 1.15) = 44 t (design)

4.2.10. Lime delivering

Lime will be delivered from Compaia Minera Luren S.A. and the product selected contain
88 percent of quicklime. Then, the real consumption of lime will be:

2343 / 0.88 = 2663 kg/d (design)

2315 / 0.88 = 2631 kg/d (nominal)

4.3.0 Zinc Powder (Zn metallic)

4.3.1. Theoretical Zn consumption ratio

Having the molecular weights of Ag: 107.9 g/mol, Au: 197 g/mol and Zn: 65.4 g/mol it is possible
to calculate according to the following equilibrium equations, the theoretical amount of zinc
consumed per silver plus gold gram: g (Ag + Au) / g Zn

2Na[Ag(CN)2] + 4NaCN + 2Zn + 2H2O 2Ag + 2Na2[Zn(CN)4] + H2 + 2NaOH . . . (4)

2Na[Au(CN)2] + 4NaCN + 2Zn + 2H2O 2Au + 2Na2[Zn(CN)4] + H2 + 2NaOH . . . (5)

To precipitate 2 moles of Ag or Au is necessary 2 moles of Zn, then, to produce 1 g of Ag is

necessary 0.606 g of Zn and to produce 1 g of Au is necessary 0.332 g of Zn:

Zn to produce 1 g of Ag = (2 x 65.4) / (2 x 107.9) = 0.606 g

Zn to produce 1 g of Au = (2 x 65.4) / (2 x 197) = 0.332 g

Then, the total ratio of Zn consumption is (0.606 + 0.332) g = 0.938 g. That is to say: 0.938 g of
zinc are consumed to produce 1 g of (Ag + Au)

4.3.2. Theoretical Zn consumption

Metallic content in the clarified pregnant solution is: 288597.29 g of Ag per day and 720.17 g of
Au per day. Then, the Zn consumed per day is 175.163 kg:

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Zn for Ag = 288597.29 x 0.606 = 174923.7 g

Zn for Au = 720.17 x 0.332 = 239.1 g

TOTAL Zn = 174923.7+ 239.1 = 175162.8 g = 175.163 kg per day

4.3.3. Real Zn consumption

Some factors have been applied to scale up the theoretical values to real values:

1) Factor according to some benchmarking and other references: 2

Then, the rea Zn consumption is 350.325 kg per day

175.163 x 2 = 350.325 kg (design)

175.163 x 0.93 x 2 = 325.8 kg (nominal)

4.3.4. Zn unit consumption

Net weight of ore processed per day is 1614.01 TPD (taken away the trash and organic
material). Then, the unit consumption for zinc is 0.217 kg of Zn per ore ton.

350.325 / 1614.01 = 0.217 kg/t (design)

325.8 / 1614.01 = 0.202 kg/t (nominal)

4.3.5. Zn dosage ratio

There is no preparation necessary for Zn metallic powder addition, then having a total of 1440
minutes per day, the Zn powder dosage ratio is 243.3 g of NaCN per minute

350.325 x 1000 / 1440 = 243.3 g/min (design)

325.8 x 1000 / 1440 = 226.3 g/min (nominal)

4.4.0 Lead nitrate (Pb(NO3)2)

According to many references, Lead nitrate improves the efficiency of silver/gold precipitation in
the Merrill-Crowe process. It was theoretically and practically proved that lead nitrate
consumption in the Merrill-Crowe process is about 1/7 of the Zn consumption and the
concentration in solution should be between 0 and 10 g/m 3.

4.4.1. Lead nitrate consumption

As it was explained, lead nitrate consumption should be 1/7 of the zinc's consumption, then the
lead nitrate consumption is:

350.325 / 7 = 50.047 kg/d (design)

325.8 / 7 = 46.543 kg/d (nominal)

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4.4.2. Lead nitrate concentration

The volume of the pregnant clarified solution outgoing from the Counter Current Decantation
stage is 9883.47 m3 per day and the daily consumption of lead nitrate is 50047 g per day, so,
the lead nitrate concentration in solution is:

50047 / 9883.47 = 5.06 g/m3 (nominal & design)

That proves that we are working in the specified range of concentration declared above.

4.4.3. Lead nitrate unit consumption

Net weight of ore processed per day is 1614.01 TPD (taken away the trash and organic
material). Then, the unit consumption is 0.031 kg of lead nitrate per ore ton.

50.047 / 1614.01 = 0.031 kg/t (design)

46.543 / 1614.01 = 0.029 kg/t (nominal)

4.4.4. Lead nitrate preparation

Lead nitrate is diluted with water at ten (10) percent by weight concentration. Lead nitrate
consumption is 50.047 kg per day, then, the necessity of water to prepare the solution is 450.42
litres of water per day

50.047 x (100 - 10) / 10 = 450.42 l (design)

46.543 x (100 - 10) / 10 = 418.89 l (nominal)

The preparation schedule is every twelve (12) hours, i.e. one per shift. Lead nitrate density is
4.53 g/cm3, then the total volume of cyanide solution prepared at 10 percent by weight per shift
is 230.73 litres

Volume of cyanide: (50.047 / 4.53) / 2 = 5.52 l (design)

Volume of water: 450.42 / 2 = 225.21 l (design)

Total solution volume: 5.52 + 225.21 = 230.73 l (design)

Volume of cyanide: (46.543 / 4.53) / 2 = 5.14 l (nominal)

Volume of water: 418.89 / 2 = 209.44 l (nominal)

Total solution volume: 5.14 + 209.44 = 214.58 l (nominal)

4.4.5. Lead nitrate preparation tank

Considering the 85 percent of volume as the net volume of the tank then a 300 litres cylinder
tank is needed.

Total volume: 230.73 / 0.85 = 271.45 l (nominal)

Total volume: 300 l (design)

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The tank is dimensioned 0.6 metres height and 0.8 metres diameter, giving a volume of 301
litres.

Tank dimensions: 0.8 m x 0.6 m (design)

Tank volume: (0.6 x (/4) x 0.82) = 301.6 l (design)

4.4.6. Lead nitrate day tank

Lead nitrate solution prepared in the preparation tank is then transferred to a day tank, from
where the solution will be distributed to the Merrill-Crowe process. Day tank is dimensioned to
storage 24 hours of solution, i.e. 600 litres, and is dimensioned in 0.8 metres height and 1
metres diameter, giving a total volume of 628 litres.

Tank dimensions: 1 m x 0.8 m (design)

Tank volume: (0.8 x (/4) x 12) = 628 l (design)

4.4.7. Lead nitrate dosage rate

Lead nitrate solution volume per day is 2 x 230.73 litres = 461.46 litres per day. Having 1440
minutes in a day, the dosage ratio of lead nitrate solution at 10 percent by weight will be:

461.46 / 1440 = 0.32 l/min (320 cm3/min) (design)

429.16 / 1440 = 0.298 l/min (298 cm3/min) (nominal)

4.5.0 Diatomaceous earth

Not much reference for diatomite consumption was found, then, we resort to get data from
similar projects by benchmarking. The benchmarking indicates that the consumption of
diatomite in a similar project is 5.7 kg per hour, it results in a daily consumption of:

5.7 x 24 = 136.8 kg/d (design)

5.7 x 0.93 x 24 = 127.2 kg/d (nominal)

4.5.1. Diatomaceous earth unit consumption

Net weight of ore processed per day is 1614.01 TPD (taken away the trash and organic
material). Then, the unit consumption is 0.085 kg of diatomite per ore ton.

136.8 / 1614.01 = 0.085 kg/t (design)

136.8 x 0.93 / 1614.01 = 0.079 kg/t (nominal)

4.6.0 Secondary reagents

As secondary reagents we have: cupric sulphate and sodium meta bisulphite for cyanide
destruction.

theirs consume are: 178.81 kg/d of cupric sulphate and 10.34 t/d of sodium meta bisulphite.

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4.6.1 Cupric sulphate

Cupric sulphate unit consumption is:

178.81 / 1614.01 = 0.11 kg/t

Cupric sulphate will be diluted at twenty (20) percent by weight concentration. Then, the
necessity of water (per day) to prepare the solution is:

178.81 x (100 - 20) / 20 = 715.24 l (design)

4.6.2 Sodium meta bisulphite preparation

Sodium meta bisulphite unit consumption is:

10340 / 1614.01 = 6.41 kg/t

Sodium meta bisulphite will be diluted at twenty (20) percent by weight concentration. Then, the
necessity of water (per day) to prepare the solution is:

10340 x (100 - 20) / 20 = 41360 l (41.36 m 3) (design)

5.0.0 REAGENTS SUPPLYING

Supplying will be twice a month or fortnightly.

5.1.0 Sodium cyanide

Sodium cyanide daily consumption is 2780.01 kg, then, considering supplying every 15 days
(fortnightly):

2780.01 x 15 = 41701 kg every 15 days (nominal)

5.2.0 Lime

Lime daily consumption is: 410.92 kg of lime and 2554 kg of hydrated lime. Then, considering
supplying every 15 days (fortnightly) and considering the product with 88 percent of quicklime:

((410.92 + 2554 x (56 / 74)) / 0.88) x 15 = 39945 kg every 15 days (nominal)

5.3.0 Zinc

Zinc daily consumption is 350.33 kg. Then, considering supplying every 15 days (fortnightly):

350.33 x 15 = 5255 kg every 15 days (nominal)

5.4.0 Lead nitrate

Lead nitrate daily consumption is 50.05 kg. Then, considering supplying every 15 days
(fortnightly):

50.05 x 15 = 751 kg every 15 days (nominal)

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5.5.0 Diatomaceous earth

Diatomaceous earth daily consumption is 136.8 kg. Then, considering supplying every 15 days
(fortnightly):

136.8 x 15 = 2052 kg every 15 days (nominal)

5.6.0 Secondary reagents

As secondary reagents we have: cupric sulphate and sodium meta bisulphite for cyanide
destruction.

Their consumptions are: 178.81 kg/d of cupric sulphate and 10.34 t/d of sodium meta bisulphite.

Cupric sulphate: 178.81 x 15 = 2682.2 kg every 15 days (nominal)

Sodium meta bisulphite: 10.34 x 15 = 155.1 t every 15 days (nominal)

5.7.0 Total supplying

Supplying should be somewhat higher than the design value calculated previously in order to
have a backup if necessary. Then, supplying every fortnight will be:

Sodium cyanide: 43 t, Zinc: 6 t, Lead nitrate: 900 kg, Diatomite: 2.5 t, Cupric sulphate: 3 t,
Sodium meta bisulphite: 160 t and Lime: 43 t.

6.0.0 WATER NECESSITY FOR REAGENTS

Necessity of water is as follows:

25021 l for NaCN preparation, 132.08 l of water is needed for lime slaking and 4842.02 l for lime
slurry preparation, 450.42 l for lead nitrate preparation, 715.24 l for cupric sulphate and 41360 l
for sodium meta bisulphite. The total volume of water needed is then:

25021 + 132.08 + 753.4 + 4842.02 + 450.42 +715.24 + 41360 = 73274 l (73.3 m 3) (nominal)

A ten (10) percent excess of water is required to have a backup in case of need.

72.521 x 1.1 = 80 m3 (design)

7.0.0 REAGENTS WAREHOUSE

7.1.0 Warehouse design

Warehouse was designed according to the fortnightly supplying amount of reagents. Enough
space was given for the warehouse to satisfy the safety and ease requirements for the
workers.

Fortnightly supply is: 43 t of sodium cyanide, 43 t of lime, 6 t of zinc, 2.5 t of diatomite and 900
kg of lead nitrate.

Reagents specific gravities are: 1.6 for sodium cyanide, 3.4 for lime, 7.13 for zinc, 2.2 for
diatomite and 4.53 for lead nitrate.

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Secondary reagents for cyanide destruction and tailings disposal are: Sodium meta bisulphite
(1.48 kg/l) and Cupric sulphate (2.29 kg/l), and the fortnightly consumption is 3 t and 160 t
respectively.

Knowing weights and specific gravities, it is possible, to calculate the volume occupied for the
reagents by the following formula:

Volume (m3) = fortnightly supplying (kg) / specific gravity (dimensionless)

Then the volumes are:

V NaCN = (41701 kg / 1000) / (1.6) = 26.063 m 3

V Lime = (6164 kg / 1000) / (3.4) = 1.813 m3

V Zn = (5255 kg / 1000) / (7.13) = 0.737 m 3

V Diatomite = (2052 kg / 1000) / (2.2) = 0.933 m3

V Pb(NO3)2 = (751 kg / 1000) / (4.53) = 0.166 m3

V CuSO4 = (2682 kg / 1000) / (2.29) = 1.174 m3

V Meta bisulphite = (155100 kg / 1000) / (1.48) = 104.794 m 3

A factor of 1.6 is applied to those volumes. This factor represents the empty space among the
reagent and the reagents containers.

V NaCN = 26.063 m3 x 1.6 = 41.7 m3

V Lime = 1.813 m3 x 1.6 = 2.9 m3

V Zn = 0.737 m3 x 1.6 = 1.18 m3

V Diatomite = 0.933 m3 x 1.6 = 1.49 m3

V Pb(NO3)2 = 0.166 m3 x 1.6 = 0.27 m3

V CuSO4 = 1.174 m3 x 1.6 = 1.88 m3

V Meta bisulphite = 104.794 m3 x 1.6 = 167.67 m3

7.2.0 Warehouse sizing

Lime is not considered in calculus of warehouse area because it will be stored in the silo.

7.2.1. Sodium cyanide

Considering 1 metre of stacking, the area for sodium cyanide containers is 41.7 square metres.
This area is dimensioned 7 metres by 6 metres.

7 x 6 = 42 m2 (design) > 41.7 m2 (nominal)

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7.2.2. Zinc

Considering 0.5 metre of stacking, the area for zinc powder containers is 2.36 (1.18 / 0.5)
square metres. This area is dimensioned also 2 metres by 2 metres.

2 x 2 = 4 m2 (design) > 2.36 m2 (nominal)

7.2.3. Diatomite

Considering 0.6 metre of stacking, the area for diatomite containers is 2.49 (1.49 / 0.6) square
metres. This area is dimensioned 2 metres by 2 metres.

2 x 2 = 4 m2 (design) > 2.49 m2 (nominal)

7.2.4. Lead nitrate

Considering 0.2 metre of stacking, the area for lead nitrate containers is 1.33 (0.27 / 0.2) square
metres. This area is dimensioned 2 metres by 1 metres.

2 x 1 = 2 m2 (design) > 1.33 m2 (nominal)

7.2.5. Cupric sulphate

Considering 0.8 metre of stacking, the area for cupric sulphate containers is 2.35 (1.88 / 0.8)
square metres. This area is dimensioned 2 metres by 2 metres.

2 x 2 = 4 m2 (design) > 2.35 m2 (nominal)

7.2.6. Sodium meta bisulphite

Considering 2 metres of stacking, the area for sodium meta bisulphite containers is 83.84
square metres. This area is dimensioned 9 metres by 10 metres.

9 x 10 = 90 m2 (design) > 83.84 m2 (nominal)

7.2.7. Warehouse total size

Total size for the warehouse is 391 square metres, dimensioned 17 metres by 23 metres. The
warehouse is roofed and the ceiling height will be around 3 metres.

8.0.0 CONCLUSION

Consumption per day of reagents will be: 2780.01 kg of sodium cyanide, 410.92 kg of quicklime
and 2554 kg of hydrated lime, 350.33 kg of zinc powder, 50.05 kg of lead nitrate, 136.8 kg of
diatomite, 178.8 kg of cupric sulphate and 10.34 t of sodium meta bisulphite.

Supplying fortnightly will be: sodium cyanide: 43 t, lime: 43 t, zinc powder: 6 t, lead nitrate: 900
kg, diatomite: 2.5 t, cupric sulphate: 3 t, sodium meta bisulphite: 160 t.

The Water necessity for reagents preparation will be 80 cubic meters per day. The warehouse is
dimensioned 17 meters by 23 meters with a total area of 391 square meters.

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9.0.0 APPENDIX (REAGENTS BENCHMARKING)

9.1.0 Cyanide consumption benchmarking

9.1.1 Compaa Minera Ares S.A.C:

Url: https://es.scribd.com/doc/57609876/Cianuracion-de-Oro-y-Plata

9.1.2 Ecuador mining:

Url: http://stoa.usp.br/elianasm/files/-1/15107/2+Gold+Cyanidation.pdf

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9.2.0 Lime consumption benchmarking

Alvarez, Guillermo C. La Cal es un reactivo qumico. 2008. Pag. 138

Url: https://es.scribd.com/doc/187666515/Libro-La-Cal

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9.3.0 Lead nitrate benchmarking

Carbajal M., William. Optimizacin en la preparacin de una planta de precipitacin de oro con
polvo de zinc. TESIS. Universidad Nacional de Ingeniera. 2012. Pag. 43.

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9.4.0 Diatomaceous earth benchmarking

Marquina, Jose. La clarificacin de la solucin pregnant como parmetro fundamental en la

recuperacin de oro y plata a travs del proceso merrill crowe. Perumin.

Url: https://www.convencionminera.com/perumin32/doc/conferencias/tecnologia/jmarquina.pdf

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9.5.0 Zinc benchmarking

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