The economic losses caused by thickener overflow turbidity need to be comprehensively assessed from multiple aspects, including metal loss, equipment damage, reduced production efficiency, and increased cleaning and maintenance costs. The specific assessment method needs to be analyzed and calculated in detail based on the actual situation. Below are some key points summarized from search results.

The evaluation factors

1. Metal loss

In the case of the Ash Gold Mine, by adding lime flocculants and fine-grained gold concentrate, the solids content of the thickener overflow water was reduced from 3.88 g/L to 0.16 g/L. This saved the mine 880,000 yuan in economic losses annually.

2. Damage to equipment and facilities

The thickener runoff in the smelting workshop of a mining company’s beneficiation plant can lead to the loss of gold-bearing waste carbon. This waste carbon can then clog the drip irrigation pipes in the heap leaching field, and also cause gold loss due to the waste carbon in the heap leaching field.

3. Reduced production efficiency

The loss of solid particles caused by the thickener running out of liquid makes the overflow liquid unclear, which in turn affects the normal operation of the replacement section.

4. Increased cleaning and maintenance costs

The accumulation of solid particles caused by the thickener’s runoff requires frequent cleaning, increasing cleaning and maintenance costs.