Barrick Gold Corporation, the world’s leading gold producer, has signed a two-year sponsorship with the Coalition for Eco-Efficient Comminution (CEEC). “Comminution is one of the biggest operating costs in mining, and every percentage point improvement in energy efficiency translates to major cost savings,” says Ivan Mullany, Senior Vice President Capital Projects at Barrick in Toronto. “This is a strategic initiative at a time when the industry has a sharp focus on cost reduction and environmental protection. Responsible energy use benefits our bottom line, the environment, and the communities where we operate.” Established in 2011, CEEC’s mission is to accelerate the transfer of knowledge in the field of alternative comminution (crushing and grinding) processes to help miners improve earnings, achieve lower process costs, and gain energy efficiencies. The organization provides an opportunity for mining sector firms to share and consolidate available research. Barrick will share its experience and data related to comminution processes, flowsheets and environments. Other members of the group include Gold Fields Ltd, Gekko Systems Ltd, Anglo American Ltd, Ausenco Ltd, Newcrest Mining Ltd, Xstrata Technology Ltd, Outotec, Orica Mining Services, Metso, AMIRA International, JKTech Ltd, MMG, Russell Mineral Equipment, and Indophil Resources NL.

Crushing and grinding in the processing of ores represent a substantial proportion of total energy cost at a mine site, particularly for gold and copper processors. For some mine sites, it represents about 50% of total energy consumption. Understanding and applying alternative comminution strategies for flowsheets which improve business processes and target ore recovery will deliver improved shareholder value.Barrick's vision is to be the world's best gold company by operating in a safe, profitable and socially responsible manner. CEEC is a not-for-profit company funded by sponsorship from the mineral industry itself, whose mission is to accelerate knowledge and technology transfer in the field of energy-efficient comminution (crushing and grinding). CEEC aims to raise awareness of beneficial alternative comminution strategies with the objective of improving earnings, achieving lower processing costs and gaining energy efficiencies in the mining sector. CEEC has the patronage of Nick Holland, CEO of Gold Fields Ltd and Owen Hegarty, of G-Resources Group Ltd.