Mineral resources are precious and non-renewable assets, and the comprehensive utilization of tailings has long been an important issue in the mining sector. In recent years, with the continuous maturation of processing technologies, the recovery and utilization of valuable components in tailings have gradually achieved economies of scale. A gold mine tailings processing project in Kazakhstan is a typical case in point.

Kazakhstan is rich in gold resources, with proven reserves of approximately 1,900 tonnes, ranking ninth in the world.

After decades of mining, a large amount of gold mine tailings has accumulated locally. These tailings, deposited over 40–50 years, have caked and hardened into blocks due to long-term stockpiling. In addition, the local winters are long and cold, and the moisture content and hardness of the tailings are significantly higher than those of ordinary tailings, posing considerable challenges to processing.

A subsidiary of the gold mine launched the tailings processing project at the end of 2016. Its core requirement was to achieve efficient pretreatment and lay the foundation for subsequent re-beneficiation processes.

In response to the project challenges, the technical team conducted a comprehensive analysis of material characteristics, climatic conditions, and throughput requirements, and ultimately selected the screening-type double-toothed roll crusher as the core equipment.

The production line is designed with a processing capacity of 450 t/h, a maximum feed size of 300 mm, and a product size that can be stably controlled at 40–50 mm, fully meeting the material size requirements of the subsequent re-beneficiation process.

This sizing crusher adopts a new crushing principle, differing from traditional equipment that relies on impact and extrusion. It achieves material crushing through the synergistic action of shear and tension. Its low-speed, high-torque design not only reduces equipment wear but also significantly saves energy.

Its unique adjustable center distance between toothed rolls enables forced crushing of materials and precise control of product size while reducing over-crushing. It combines both crushing and screening functions, effectively simplifying the production system and reducing investment costs.

The equipment performs outstandingly in terms of adaptability to extreme environments. Its online automated central control system and intelligent automatic lubrication device ensure safe production in Kazakhstan’s severe cold climate, enabling stable operation even at temperatures as low as −50°C.

It is worth noting that this type of screening double-toothed roll crusher was initially used more in the coal industry. To meet the demand for efficient raw coal transportation, its high processing capacity, large feed opening, and uniform product size have made it highly favored, and it is widely used in mobile crushing stations.

Its successful application in gold mine tailings processing demonstrates the possibility of cross-industry technological innovation and provides a new solution for the resource utilization of tailings.

At present, the equipment for this production line has been stocked and shipped to the project site and is about to enter the installation and commissioning stage. The implementation of this project not only provides an efficient path for the comprehensive utilization of gold mine tailings in Kazakhstan, but also accumulates valuable experience for tailings resource utilization in the mining sector.