The team at Gekko Systems (Gekko) is excited to announce the release of the next-gen Mark 6 Carbon Scout. The Carbon Scout is a self-contained, ground-level sampling system that measures the pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), density and gold concentration in carbon-in-leach (CIL) and carbon-in-pulp (CIP) circuits. An important new feature is an optional X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to measure gold on carbon for real time gold circuit inventory.
The self-contained device collects slurry samples from CIL/CIP tanks to determine the concentration of the activated carbon in the pulp for each tank, to an accuracy of ±0.5 grams of carbon per litre of pulp. The concentration levels are then used to automate carbon movement to optimise the carbon distribution. The Carbon Scout improves the accuracy, regularity, and consistency of carbon density measurements in CIL/CIP circuits.
As the Carbon Scout continues to roll out to mines around the world, Gekko have listened to the customer feedback from different sites and applied it to the latest model. As a result, the Gekko team is releasing an improved Carbon Scout.
The Carbon Scout (left) and the Gekko OLGA (right) at Gruyere Mine in Western Australia. The combination of OLGA (OnLine Gold Analyser) and Carbon Scout, supported by the Gekko Sample Delivery System means all CIL/CIP sampling can be done conveniently and safely at ground level.
New features
New features include an optional X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to measure gold on carbon for real time gold circuit inventory, updated diagnostics, detailed alarming (via the new flowmeter and pressure sensor), and updated programming to easily integrate carbon automation. The new standard design allows for remote monitoring of the Carbon Scout.
The Carbon Scout companion application, Neon, allows for real time data analysis, event monitoring, indicating of carbon movement from anywhere and anytime. This increases the plants efficiency, safety, and stability through timely accurate analytics.
The Carbon Scout is a unique solution that offers the ability to automate the complete carbon circuit, including;
- Online detection of carbon concentration
- In circuit slurry density measurements
- Measurement of gold on carbon for real time gold circuit inventory
- Measurement of pH and dissolved oxygen
- Single point measurement of multiple CIL/CIP tanks
- A large consistent sample size that collects 10 times more slurry than manual sampling
- Sample extraction from each tank at a consistent location and depth
- More frequent tank sampling compared with manual sampling
- Integration with the plant process control systems (e.g. SCADA)
- A ground level sampling system for easy collection of gold-in-circuit (GIC) samples
- Programmable sampling frequency
Benefits
The Carbon Scout benefits sites by providing real-time data which allows operators to significantly reduce soluble gold loss from the circuit by providing advanced measurements ahead of any unwanted excursions. The Carbon Scout also allows for automation of the carbon movement, minimising exposure to hydrogen cyanide (HCN) gas and reducing the need for manual handling of samples. Constructed from stainless steel, the ground level system enhances operator efficiency by removing the need to undertake time consuming manual sampling and provides a single point sampling station to improve accuracy and increase safety. The automation of carbon movement increases the efficiency of the process, ensures carbon inventory set points are achieved and reduces the need for operator, metallurgist, and other processing staff input.
