Failures and a concept of corrosion protection system for spiral classifiers at KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. Ore Concentration Plant

Abstract The Ore Concentration Plant, where the process of flotation is carried out as well as the final production of copper concentrate, plays a key role in the entire production line of KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. Majority of operations related to the run-of-mine preparation to copper flotation enrichment are carried out in a water environment. The maintaining of production process continuity requires to pursue minimisation of many production limitations. The corrosive action of the technological medium, being a salted water suspension of ground copper ore, is one of them. The concept of spiral classifiers cathodic protection presented in this paper may become an alternative to the anti-corrosion protection methods of machinery and equipment used now at the KGHM. The obtained results of research indicate a possibility of significant reduction of classifiers corrosion rate at the application of cathodic protection and of a few times extension of the period of spiral classifiers operation, which replacement generates substantial operating costs.