Abstract
<jats:p>Contemporary operating conditions of placer gold deposits are characterized with highly dynamic technological processes and a significant variability of raw materials. Such conditions result in rising demands towards reliability, energy efficiency, and stability of processing equipment operation. The article presents the results of research and practical implementation of an automated system to control feeding of sands and process water at a processing plant that uses the PBSh-100 washing device. Parameters of the pulp feed control system are justified to ensure maintenance of an optimal solid-to-liquid ratio in real time based on analyzing the factors affecting gold losses and energy consumption of the washing process. Adaptive control algorithms have been developed and implemented using programmable logic controllers with variable frequency drives. Commercial tests of the system were performed at enterprises in the Russian Far East, showing a drop in the specific fuel consumption by up to 42.2%, a reduction in the volume of the process water by up to 20%, a decrease in equipment downtime, and improved stability of the washing processes. The results confirm the efficiency of the proposed solutions to upgrade the washing plants, especially in remote areas with limited infrastructure. Automation of sand feeding ensures increased recovery of fine gold, reduced operating costs, and improved technical and economic performance of the placer deposit development.</jats:p>