Publications

SAGDesign Testing Review - Case Studies by J.H. Starkey, D. Meadows, P. Thompson, A. Senchenko. Presented at the IMPC XXIV in Beijing September 24-28, 2008.

Abstract - SAGDesign Testing for grinding mill design was introduced commercially in 2004. Up to January 2008, 18 projects have been completed and 99 samples have been tested using this method. Two papers have been published describing the patented test procedure and one of these shows how the results compare with other grinding test methods. This paper will briefly discuss the theory on which this technology is based, and explain the procedures used to develop the calibration equation. Case studies are also included to demonstrate the effectiveness of the test work being done. These case studies show how the SAGDesign test is being used today: to design new grinding circuits for commercial full scale use; to calculate throughput in existing mills for production planning; and to accurately define grinding mill requirements at the scoping, pre-feasibility or feasibility study stage of project development, in order to economically identify the size and cost of the grinding mills that will be needed for the project. This is important because if the full recommended SAGDesign testing program is done at an early stage in the project, the definitive cost for a guaranteed throughput, grinding mill design (by Outotec if their mills are purchased) is available.

Successfully Going Global by C. Hersey. CIM Magazine December 2007/January 2008

Abstract - Who doesn't love a story about a small Canadian company making it big? The leap to becoming a global company is never easy and is guaranteed to come with its pros and cons, benefits and sacrifices, both good and bad alike. In John Starkey's case, both owner and principal consulting engineer for Starkey & Associates, going global has had very satisfying results.

A Comparison of Ore Hardness Measurements for Grinding Design for the Tenke Project* by John Starkey and Dave Meadows, Proceedings of the CMP Conference, Ottawa, January 2007.

Abstract - As part of the ongoing project development for the Tenke Fungurume Copper-Cobalt Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Phelps Dodge Corporation has examined methodologies for determining the size of grinding mills to support a 7000 mtpd operation. Six samples were tested by Hazen Research, Inc. (HRI) to obtain the JK parameters using the JK Drop Weight Test, standard Bond crushing, and rod mill work indices, abrasion indices and by Dawson for Bond Ball Mill Work Index tests using crushed feed, and Standard Autogenous Grinding Design (SAGDesign) Tests, patented by Outokumpu.

The comparison of these results gives context to how the various measurements relate to each other and how they can be used to obtain an accurate design for the grinding mills required for the Tenke Project. This is the first published direct comparison between JK Drop Weight, standard bond work indices, and SAGDesign test results. The SAGDesign test includes a SAG test followed by a Bond BM Wi test done on SAG ground material.

SAGDesign Testing - What is it and Why it Works, by John Starkey, Sami Hindstrom and George Nadasdy. Presented at SAG 2006 in Vancouver, October 2006

Abstract - A robust, accurate laboratory SAG test has been needed for years. The SAGDesign Consulting Group has developed such a test. This paper also presents case studies in how it is used. Feed is prepared from ~10 kg of half core samples by crushing to 80% passing 19-mm. Grinding is then done in a 0.5 m diameter SAG mill to 80% passing 12 mesh US Standard (1.7 mm). The SAG ground product is then used for a Bond BM Work Index test. Reproducibility for SAG grinding is within 3% for duplicate tests done to date. The test has been used for predicting throughput as well as new plant design.

Accurate, Economical Grinding Design Using SPI and Bond, by John Starkey. Presented at the IMPC XXII Congress in Cape Town, October 2003.

Choosing a SAG Mill to Achieve Design Performance, by John Starkey, Sami Hindstrom and Travis Orser. Presented at the Canadian Mineral Processors Conference in Ottawa, January 2003.

Grinding of Agrium Phosphate Ore in a 3 Ft. Diameter Pilot SAG Mill, by John Starkey, Rene Carre, Richard May, and Lucky Lakshmanan. Presented at the Canadian Mineral Processors Conference in Ottawa, January 2002.

Design of the Agnico-Eagle Laronde Division SAG Mill, by John Starkey, Jean Robitaille, Paul Cousin, James Jordan, & Glenn Kosick. Presented at the SAG Conference in Vancouver, October 2001.

A Critical Review of SAG Design Procedures for the 21st Century, by John Starkey. Presentation was made at. Comminution 01 in Brisbane, Australia in March 2001. A decision was made not to publish this information. It is available as a Professional Development Seminar.

Grinding Circuit Design at Kubaka Using SPI and Bond, by John Starkey and Graham Holmes. Presented at the Canadian Mineral Processors Conference in Ottawa, January 23, 2001.

Getting More From Drill Core - Preliminary SAG Design, by John Starkey. Presented at the Randol Gold Forum, Monterey CA, May 1997.

Getting More Out of Your Drill Core, by John Starkey. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the CIM, Vancouver BC, April 1997.

Application of the Minnovex SAG Power Index at Five Canadian SAG Plants, by John Starkey and Glenn Dobby. Presented at the SAG Conference, Vancouver BC, October 1996.

Water Usage in the Carol Concentrator, by J.H. Starkey and S.E. El-Alfy. Presented at the Canadian Mineral Processors Conference, January 1995.

A New Tool for SAG Hardness Testing, by John Starkey, Glenn Dobby and Glenn Kosick. Presented at the Canadian Mineral Processors Conference, January 1994.

Modernization of the Campbell Red Lake Mill in 1986, by J. Starkey and S. Roberts. Presented at the CIM Gold Conference, Winnipeg, August. 1987.