Optimum control of the Leeudoorn semi-autogenous milling circuit.

Intelligent control techniques, such as fuzzy logic, have been successfully applied to the control of a semiautogenous grinding circuit at the Leeudoorn gold mine, Transvaal. Benchmarking showed that circuit performance was enhanced by the control system. Benefits included a significantly more stable circuit, improved power efficiency, a reduction in the amount of steel grinding media required, as well as more consistent throughput. A software system, Grind-ACE, was developed as an implementation platform. This approach has proved successful and flexible, allowing both intelligent and traditional control techniques to be integrated. The control system has been implemented in a unique manner with both stabilising and optimising capabilities, which has resulted in a flexible and adaptable system.
Intelligent control techniques, such as fuzzy logic, have been successfully applied to the control of a semiautogenous grinding circuit at the Leeudoorn gold mine, Transvaal. Benchmarking showed that circuit performance was enhanced by the control system. Benefits included a significantly more stable circuit, improved power efficiency, a reduction in the amount of steel grinding media required, as well as more consistent throughput. A software system, Grind-ACE, was developed as an implementation platform. This approach has proved successful and flexible, allowing both intelligent and traditional control techniques to be integrated. The control system has been implemented in a unique manner with both stabilising and optimising capabilities, which has resulted in a flexible and adaptable system.