Optimisation of mining processes under extreme conditions

How Palamatic Process ensures safe cyanide handling at a gold mine in Nunavut, using the Smash'R® big bag de-compacting station.

Gold extraction relies on complex chemical processes requiring precise and safe handling of bulk reagents, which are often transported and stored in conditions of extreme cold that cause the products to clump together.

Palamatic Process has designed and installed a Smash'R® hydraulic big bag massage station for one of the world’s leading gold mining companies in Nunavut.

This solution restores the flowability of sodium metabisulphite that has been compacted by the cold, thereby ensuring the continuous neutralisation of cyanide in a critical industrial environment.

There are several known issues in this mining sector. Blockages in the flow are one of the main ones.
The clumps that form prevent the bags from being emptied completely and evenly, thereby disrupting the feed to the processing line.

Another critical issue is environmental risk and safety. An interruption in the distribution of metabisulphite compromises the neutralisation of cyanide, posing a major risk to safety and environmental compliance.

Finally, maintenance remains difficult under these extreme conditions. Any manual intervention to break up the clumps proves to be arduous and risky for operators.

The Palamatic Process project forms part of a large-scale mining operation located in Nunavut, in Canada’s Far North.
The client is the world’s second-largest gold producer, operating at a site far from civilisation and in extreme climatic conditions, where equipment reliability is an absolute requirement for business continuity.

Within this mine, sodium metabisulphite (or disodium pyrosulphite) plays a vital role: it is used to neutralise the residual cyanide used to dissolve the gold. This chemical compound comes in the form of a white powder or crystals which, under the influence of humidity and extremely low temperatures, undergo significant caking inside the big bags.

To meet this challenge, Palamatic Process proposed the integration of the Smash'R® hydraulic massage cage.
This plug-and-play equipment was specifically chosen for its ability to process difficult products without damaging the container, even under extreme conditions.

Powerful mechanical action

The station uses four side hydraulic cylinders and an upper arm to apply controlled pressure to the walls of the big bag.

Full coverage

A motorised turntable allows the bag to be rotated so that the massage breaks up clumps right to the core, ensuring uniform decompaction.

Versatility

The Smash'R® adapts to different bag sizes and powder types, offering essential flexibility at a remote site.

The installation of the Smash'R® has made it possible to secure a key stage of the mining extraction process under extreme conditions.

Smooth flow guaranteed

The product is returned to the flow before the discharge station, eliminating production stoppages caused by clumps.

Operator safety

Automated decompaction drastically reduces the need for direct handling and physical exertion by operators. Thanks to its swing doors, which are locked by a safety latch, the risk of accidents is eliminated and the working environment is safer. Access to the work area is prevented whilst the machine is in operation.

Operational reliability

The robustness of this equipment’s hydraulic system ensures continuous operation despite hostile environments such as the Far North, where temperatures can often drop below -50°C.

Environmental compliance

Cyanide neutralisation in mining operations is now a constant process, ensuring the safety of mining discharges.

• Smash'R® massage station: Sturdy frame with safety cage.
• Hydraulic system: 4 side cylinders + 1 upper massage arm.
• Rotating platform: Motorised for a uniform 360° massage.
• Lifting table: Platform height adjustment according to the big bag size.
• Safety: Light curtains to protect operators.

This project demonstrates Palamatic Process’s ability to apply its expertise in powder engineering to the most demanding environments on the planet. It highlights the suitability of a hydraulic agitation solution for industries handling critical reagents, where operational continuity is inseparable from environmental safety.