The installation of those 19 Cavex hydrocyclones resulted in savings of more than US$800,000 per annum through the dramatic grinding circuit recirculation reduction.

The Dipido mine expanded its production capacity, which increased the incumbent cyclones' feed density beyond what they could manage.

That led to a circulating load up to 700%.

The Cavex 400CVX10 hydrocyclones help improve separation efficiency due to their finely tuned spigot liner diameter and the strength and corrosion resistance provide by their cast housings.

That spigot liner inlet geometry design provides a natural flow path into the hydrocyclone.

This allows the feed to blend smoothly with slurry inside the chamber, reducing turbulence.

The introduction of the Cavex hydrocyclones cut the circulating load from 620% to 374%.

The direct savings in power consumption, ball consumption, and cyclone and pump maintenance costs exceeded US$815,000 per annum.

Oceana Gold Dipidio processing manager Gary Webb said previous experience with the Cavex hydrocylcones had given him confidence in them.

"Having had good performance from Cavex hydrocyclones at our New Zealand sites, we were confident retrofitting a Cavex hydrocylonce cluster with an increased number of smaller cyclones than we had at the time would help reduce our problematic circulating load and lever multiple benefits in doing so," he said.

"The changeover to Cavex hydrocyclones has exceeded our expectations, enabling higher throughput and lower consumable costs without being penalised in grind size."

Weir Minerals Philippines country manager Mike Arakawa said the company's engineers were constantly looking at how they could maximise separation efficiency, hydraulic capacity and extend wear life - not just in the hydrocyclone but the customer's overall processing plant.

"Reduced circulation means reduced power draw, fewer balls consumed, and less equipment wear, creating a more sustainable mine," he said.