An integrated expert and vision system at BHP Billiton Cannington.

The installation is described of an OCS expert system and three VisioRock online particle size analysis cameras to optimise the performance of the grinding circuit at the Cannington, Queensland, Ag-Pb operation. The main purpose of the system, which incorporates a dynamic SAG/AG mill model, was to stabilise grind size and feed to the flotation circuit. Online vision-based particle size measurements of the AG mill feed and recycle crusher product are integrated into the logic of the control algorithm. Significant stable throughput increases have been achieved, AG mill overload events have been reduced and pebble crusher utilisation has also increased.
The installation is described of an OCS expert system and three VisioRock online particle size analysis cameras to optimise the performance of the grinding circuit at the Cannington, Queensland, Ag-Pb operation. The main purpose of the system, which incorporates a dynamic SAG/AG mill model, was to stabilise grind size and feed to the flotation circuit. Online vision-based particle size measurements of the AG mill feed and recycle crusher product are integrated into the logic of the control algorithm. Significant stable throughput increases have been achieved, AG mill overload events have been reduced and pebble crusher utilisation has also increased.