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Application guide / generalized scenario

Peru Gold Quartz Ore: Choosing Between Gravity-First and Hybrid Routes

A practical selection framework for Andean gold projects deciding between shaking table focus, flotation focus, or a hybrid route.

Published December 23, 2025 · Updated July 11, 2026 · 11 min read

Reference scenario
Peru
Material
Gold-bearing quartz vein ore
Design objective
Lift recovery while keeping operating cost controllable

01 / Reference conditions

Scenario overview

For this generalized scenario, assume that one composite pilot result may not represent texture changes between ore domains. Validate each proposed route against multiple domain samples.

This guide compares three front-end choices for 40-140 TPH projects using jaw crushing with gravity and flotation options.

02 / Selection logic

Initial decision framework

01

Condition

Free gold portion is high and coarse liberation is visible

Recommendation

Start with gravity-first route using shaking table early

Operating reason

Early gravity capture reduces reagent load and eases downstream control.

02

Condition

Gold is fine and associated with sulfides

Recommendation

Move to flotation-led route with tighter feed control

Operating reason

A gravity-only route may leave recoverable value in tailings; confirm with staged metallurgical tests.

03

Condition

Ore domains switch frequently within one month

Recommendation

Use hybrid route with clear operating mode transitions

Operating reason

Hybrid architecture gives resilience without forcing one route on all ore.

03 / Required data

Inputs you must lock before model selection

  1. 01Liberation profile by ore domain and size class.
  2. 02Measured free-gold share from recent campaign.
  3. 03Reagent cost and supply reliability by month.
  4. 04Water recycle quality and solids management limits.
  5. 05Target recovery and cost-per-ton threshold.

04 / Process alternatives

Recommended process lines

Route 01

Gravity-first route

Capacity
40-90 TPH
Feed
Quartz ore up to 350 mm
Target output
Early gravity concentrate with moderate throughput
Setup
PE Jaw -> classification -> 6-S Table

Why this route works

  • Simple route for coarse free-gold dominant ore.
  • Lower reagent dependence in early stage.
  • Fast learning curve for smaller processing teams.

Route 02

Flotation-led route

Capacity
80-120 TPH
Feed
Fine-gold dominant quartz-sulfide blend
Target output
Higher sulfide-associated gold recovery
Setup
PE Jaw -> controlled crushing -> flotation circuit

Why this route works

  • Better fit for fine and sulfide-associated gold.
  • Supports tighter control on grade-recovery tradeoff.
  • More scalable when grade consistency matters.

Route 03

Hybrid adaptive route

Capacity
100-140 TPH
Feed
Mixed ore textures across benches
Target output
Balanced gravity + flotation recovery
Setup
PE Jaw -> PY Cone -> 6-S Table pre-recovery -> flotation cleanup

Why this route works

  • Captures coarse gold early while protecting fine-gold recovery.
  • More tolerant to monthly ore texture shifts.
  • Strong choice for projects with changing ore domains.

05 / Comparison matrix

Peru gold route comparison

Swipe or scroll horizontally to compare all three routes.

Peru gold route comparison
MetricGravity-firstFlotation-ledHybrid adaptive
Planning ore conditionCoarse free goldFine sulfide-associated goldMixed and shifting ore
Reagent dependenceLowHighMedium
Recovery upsideMediumHighHigh with flexibility
Operational complexityLowMediumHigh
Main riskFine-gold lossesCost pressure if ore coarsensMode-switch discipline gaps

06 / Operating context

Operating notes

01

Pilot Data Should Be Domain-Based

A single composite pilot sample may hide domain differences that affect route performance.

Use multiple domain-tagged test sets and map each result to the proposed route before final selection.

  • Separate coarse-free-gold and fine-sulfide domains in test planning.
  • Report recovery by size class, not only total recovery.
  • Link each domain to a clear operating mode in SOP.
  • Budget for mode transition time in daily plan.
02

Where Teams Make Better Procurement Decisions

Teams make better decisions when suppliers present route performance under explicit ore domains rather than one blended benchmark.

If proposal language does not define liberation and reagent assumptions, the cost forecast cannot be validated.

07 / Supplier brief

RFQ checklist before you contact suppliers

  1. 01Domain-tagged metallurgical test summary.
  2. 02Expected free-gold fraction by size class.
  3. 03Route-switch criteria and operating SOP draft.
  4. 04Water and reagent supply constraints.
  5. 05Recovery and cost-per-ton acceptance targets.
  6. 06Commissioning plan for at least two ore domains.

08 / Project handoff

Related equipment and next step

Replace assumptions with data

Request a model recommendation for your actual duty.

Share the feed and product conditions that define the process. The guide provides a comparison frame; final equipment sizing still requires a project-specific check.

Ask an engineerUse inquiry form
  1. 01Feed size and moisture
  2. 02Target product split
  3. 03Required throughput
  4. 04Site utilities and duty cycle

Procurement reference

Related Buyer Q&A

Use these notes for model, budget, and procurement questions outside this application scenario.