Identification of Gold Ore Vein Characteristics Based on the Level of Alteration and Its Effect on Grinding energy Consumption in Kutawaringin Village, Kutawaringin District, Bandung Regency, West Java Province

Abstract

The infiltration of hydrothermal solutions through structures that form veinlets with different alteration levels and variations in physical strength, will influence the consumption of grinding energy during processing operations. This research uses a gold ore vein sample from the Kutawaringin area, Bandung Regency. The sample, in the field, is visibly analyzed, was tested in petrography and mineragraphy in the laboratory, so that it was known to be moderate and low alterated. Furthermore, Bond Ball Mill are tested to determine its energy consumption. From the grinding test, the low alteration vein energy consumption is relatively the same whether coarsely or finely, while the alteration medium is lower. Medium and low alteration energy consumption, coarse and fine fractions are relatively constant, meaning that the optimum point has been reached. Low and moderate alteration energy consumption, the difference is quite significant due to different mineral composition and alteration. So that the impact on the selection of the type of grinding equipment, if the alteration is far more than the low alteration, more feasible choices based on the most vein, so it is more energy efficient. Although it results in decreased grinding production per unit time for low alteration type