Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex's research projects focus on smartization, productivity and sustainable production

me-metals: The Research and Development Manager of Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex announced the implementation of a series of key research projects in various fields of production.

According to me-metals cited by Mes Press, Hosseini Rooholamini stated that the development and launch of an intelligent system for monitoring the condition and identifying rock characteristics during drilling is one of the most important projects in the mining field said: "By equipping extraction drilling drills with this system, it is possible to save up to 10 percent in drilling and blasting costs, equivalent to 225 billion Rials for each drill."

He added: "This system, using advanced vibration, pressure, and torque sensors, collects data on rock strength, hardness, porosity, and other mechanical and physical properties in real time, and using machine learning and signal analysis algorithms, automatically identifies and reports the type and characteristics of geological layers without the need to stop operations or conduct time-consuming field tests."

Increasing productivity in the slag concentration plant

The Research and Development Manager of Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex also said: The project "Research and Investigation to Standardize Processes and Increase Productivity in the Slag Concentration Plant of Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex" is also another important research project. In this project, for the first time in the country, Vortex design liners were used and a trommel screen was used to replace the vibrating screen. The modifications made to the flotation circuit have increased the equipment availability and reduced energy consumption, which has resulted in a 20% increase in input feed capacity and a 3% increase in copper recovery.

Smelter optimization and production cost reduction

Referring to the project "Fine tuning and optimization of the smelting plant and providing solutions for increasing efficiency, reducing waste and production costs," Hosseini Rouholamini stated: "Optimization and fine tuning of equipment has led to a 20 percent increase in the number of converter work cycles, 4 percent increase in plant efficiency and 30 percent reduction in downtime. These measures will result in annual economic savings of about $18 million."

Construction of a new organic recovery device from the waste of a solvent extraction unit on an industrial scale

He further announced the design and construction of an industrial-scale device for recovering the organic phase trapped in the solvent extraction unit core, saying: "This device, with a capacity of 1,000 liters per cycle, has been built for the first time in the world and allows for more than 90 percent recovery of organic matter. The implementation of this project is an effective step in reducing costs and is considered an innovative model for similar industries."

Intelligent ball charge reporting system

The Research and Development Manager of Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex also announced the implementation of the "Intelligent System for Reporting the Amount of Ball Charge in Concentrator Plant 1" project, adding: This system intelligently monitors the amount of ball charge based on the type, exact weight, and charging time for each mill in the plant, which will lead to a 3% reduction in ball consumption.