A good gold plant processing design is one that does not require direct and constant attention on the part of the operators to maintain continuity, but at the same time places a maximum number of the critical observation and operating points within easy view and easy reach. The layout must consider centralized monitoring devices and automatic controls and where practical, such control centers are located in glassed-in and air conditioned rooms. Closed circuit television is an aid to maintaining surveillance on gold operations which are remote or not suited to monitoring by other instrumental means.
Basically, the operations are simplified by providing for self regulation in the process to every extent possible as, for example, in the use of sump pumps that through the use of floats and other devices; automatically regulate pump output or water dilution. Direct gravity flow of solutions and slurries is provided when this is practical as a means of eliminating pumps or make easy the control. In multiple-stage operations, arrangements are made to by-pass individual stages rather than to shut the operation down in case of emergencies and for planned maintenance. At particularly critical points it is found desirable to provide alternative or duplicate pieces of equipment on a standby basis in order to insure operational continuity. Duplicate pump installations are a typical example of this type of installation. Proper sampling is important to the gold operation and is facilitated and made more accurate by providing automatic equipment wherever possible and by designing for easy access and the use of recommended techniques in the taking of manual samples. In some cases it is possible to circulate side streams of slurries and process solutions through sampling loops to central control stations and thus accelerate the sampling operations.
Distribution boxes and samplers must be placed in suitable places