Bauxite Preparation Project – Australia (50 kilotons/year)
50,000 t/y bauxite grinding plant in Australia using Raymond pendulum mill. Fully automatic, high dust control. EPC by Zhengzhou Sinoma.
Project Details
Project Overview
This bauxite grinding plant was delivered to a mining and mineral processing customer in Western Australia, producing 50,000 tonnes per year of ground bauxite for alumina refining and high-alumina refractory applications. The customer selected Zhengzhou Sinoma Engineering Technology under an EPC turnkey contract, with a strong focus on short delivery time and high automation.
The project entered trial operation on July 8, 2017, and all performance parameters met the design targets within the 30-day commissioning window.
Customer Requirements
Process crushed bauxite ore at ≤ 40 mm feed size
Produce 50,000 t/y of ground bauxite powder at a consistent fineness
Fully automatic operation with minimal on-site staff
Short fabrication and delivery cycle to fit the customer's expansion window
Dust levels meeting Australian workplace emission standards
Technical Solution
We designed a compact closed-circuit grinding circuit built around a high-performance Raymond-type pendulum mill, paired with a bucket elevator, dust collector, and automatic bagging section.
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Raw material | Bauxite ore (crushed) |
| Feed size | ≤ 40 mm |
| Annual output | 50,000 tonnes |
| Product fineness | 60–80 mesh (adjustable) |
| Core equipment | Raymond-type pendulum mill with air classifier |
| Dust collection | Pulse bag filter, outlet < 10 mg/Nm³ |
| Control | PLC cabinet with HMI, automatic start/stop sequence |
Through multiple rounds of technical exchange, we adjusted the grinding roller pressure, classifier speed, and air volume to match the customer's specific bauxite hardness (Mohs 3–4). The customer later told us that this engineering flexibility was the deciding factor in choosing us over two other Chinese suppliers.
Project Timeline
| Phase | Timeline | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Contract signing | Q3 2016 | EPC agreement signed after technical audits |
| Manufacturing | Q4 2016 – Q1 2017 | Mill, classifier, baghouse and steel structure fabricated |
| Shipping | Q2 2017 | Containerized + breakbulk shipment to Fremantle |
| Installation | June – July 2017 | Local crew assembled under our engineer's supervision |
| Trial operation | July 8, 2017 | First feed, commissioning, all parameters met |
During installation, the customer recognized our on-site team as the "most dedicated crew" for their professionalism and willingness to work extended hours to keep the schedule.
Results
Capacity: Sustained 50,000 t/y production as designed
Automation: Plant runs with a 2-person shift, automatic start-up sequence from the control room
Dust control: Baghouse keeps indoor air below Australian workplace exposure limits
Relationship: The customer has since placed repeat orders for wear parts and referred two other mining clients to us
Customer Feedback
"Zhengzhou Sinoma's engineering team was flexible and responsive from the first technical call to commissioning. They modified the mill settings to match our ore, and their installation crew was the most professional we have worked with. The plant has run reliably for years with minimal downtime."
Related Equipment
Need a bauxite, kaolin, or quartz grinding line? See our Raymond mill and pendulum mill range for mineral powder production, or contact us for a tailor-made circuit.