Continuous improvement of the regrind mills at the Quebec Cartier pellet plant

Until 1987 lowering costs was highly privileged through a strategy of continuous improvement. Significant variables studied were: pulp density, mix of two size grinding balls, volume of balls, corrosion, etc. After rationalization of the Fire Lake mine and the concentrator which led to their closure in 1985 under the direction of Quebec Cartier Mining, the emphasis was put on the production of more pellets with a new feed, the Mount-Wright concentrate, a slightly softer material. The modification of one regrind mill per line into closed circuit also contributed to more regrind capacity. From an installed annual capacity of 6.0 million metric tons, the various improvements to the mills led to an actual proven capacity of 9.1 million tons.