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By E. V. Koporulina, I. Zh. Bunin, M. V. Ryazantseva

"We studied the mechanism of structural and chemical transformations of columbite, tantalite, zircon and feldspar surface during the treatment by high – power electromagnetic pulses (HPEMP) using the methods of X - ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), analytical electron microscopy (SEM - EDX), Kelvin probe force microscopy and flotation experiments. According to XPS and SEM - EDX data, major changes in the atoms chemical state of investigated minerals surface are related with formation and modification of functional cover and changing in concentration (% at.) of hydroxyl groups on the mineral surface, leading to increase in the contrast of technological properties of the rare metals minerals. Research has identified the optimal parameters of HPEMP - treatment of rare - earth minerals Npuls ??104, Ttreatment ??100 sec. improving the selectivity of the flotation separation of columbite and zircon. The difference in mineral recovery into the froth (? e) before and after HPEMP - treatment was about 11 % and 24.5 %, respectively. No significant increase was observed in the flotation activity of feldspar. This study's findings demonstrate the effectiveness of HPEMP - treatment in inducing a controlled change in the structural and chemical properties of rare - earth minerals and improving the process efficiency for the processing of rougher tantalum - niobium gravity concentrates.INTRODUCTIONThe importance of improving the processing methods of tantalum-niobium ores and concentrates is explained by the mineralogical properties of rare - earth ores. These are properties such as the variable mineral, chemical, and grain size composition, complex morphometric properties, and the dissemination of ore mineral grains of micro - and nanometric size. Iron oxide and hydroxide films on the mineral surfaces neutralize the surface physicochemical and absorption properties of the minerals. Both in Russia and globally, nonconventional (non - mechanical) methods are being developed based on physicochemical, electrochemical, and pulsed energy impacts to improve the efficiency of disintegration and liberation processes of disseminated mineral complexes and to enhance the contrast of the structural, chemical, and technological (floatability) properties of refractory ores. This study is devoted to the investigation of the applicability of high – power electromagnetic pulses (HPEMP – treatment) for the change in the structural and chemical properties of rare - earth minerals and improving of the flotation properties contrast."

Jan 1, 2018

By Danfeng Xu

The majority of the world?s nickel (Ni) resources occur as laterite ores, which are exceptionally complex, lower grade (<1.5% Ni) and expensive to treat using conventional smelting and high temperature/pressure autoclave methods. Heap leaching is a promising, less costly, alternative technology for processing low grade nickel laterite ores. However, significant technical challenges remain with Nickel laterite heap leaching, preventing its general adoption. This paper presents some highlights of laboratory column leaching studies undertaken to characterise, evaluate and optimise sulphuric acid leaching behaviour of Nickel laterite agglomerates. They provide basic but valuable information regarding Nickel laterite agglomerate structure stability and leaching performance under industrially-relevant, continuous acid irrigation conditions. In particular, Nickel and other key metals? (e.g. Co, Fe, Al and Mn) extraction rates, free acid concentration, bed slump and structural changes were determined at a given acid percolation rate as a function of time. Potential implications of the findings, for devising strategies for improved Nickel laterite plant heap leach operations are discussed. Keywords: nickel laterite, column leaching, agglomerates, leaching kinetics, acid consumption

Sep 1, 2012

By B. J. Zhang

Conventional spirals are capable of providing excellent clean coal recovery, although at a relatively high ash content. Compound spirals, which provide two stages of spiral cleaning in a single taller unit, have been commercialized in recent years to improve upon the cleaning performance obtained from conventional spirals. The present study aimed at optimizing the performance obtained from a compound spiral for cleaning especially high sulfur fine and ultrafine coal. Industrial-scale spiral units were utilized for this study in a pilot-scale facility at the Illinois Coal Development Park. A statistically designed experimental program was conducted to optimize ash and sulfur cleaning performance of the compound spiral. It was found that significant cleaning of ultrafine coal (i.e., 150 microns × 45 microns and even 45 microns × 25 microns size coal) is achievable with the compound spiral. However, operating conditions for cleaning finer coal fractions (-150 microns size coal) have to be significantly different from those used to clean coarser coal fractions (+150 microns size coal). The sulfur rejection trends were different from ash separation efficiency trends in all size fractions except 45 microns × 25 microns. The probable error (Ep) and effective specific gravity of separation (SG50c) determined for the compound spiral cleaning of the overall particle size were as low as 0.07 and 1.62, respectively. However, the bypass of a small percentage of clean coal to the tailings stream of the compound spiral, may need further adjustment of the key process parameters.

Jan 1, 2014

By Peter N. Holtham, Geoffrey J. Lyman, Matthew S. Brennan, Vijay Subramanian, Rui X. Rong, Tim Napier-Munn

Studies of the dense medium and classifying cyclone have been conducted using the Fluent computational fluid dynamics code. Experimental measurements of the segregation of medium in a DM cyclone by gamma-ray tomography and the performance of a novel classifying cyclone design have been used to test and interpret the 3D CFD predictions. The predictions of the CFD models were generally plausible, though more work is required to incorporate turbulent mixing of the slurry in the cyclone. The benefits of the novel cyclone design were explained by the model in terms of conditions favouring reduction of short-circuiting at the vortex finder, and the removal of the air core from the wall at the apex. Work is continuing.

Jan 1, 2003

By Indresan Govender

A continuum based granular flow model of charge motion that combines the inherent frictional nature of particles with its distinctly fluid-like structure is presented. Starting with Newton?s 2nd Law on a volume element of charge, we derive the velocity field in the bed free-surface and the rising en-masse region. Invoking flux conservation within the two regimes of interest then yields a (simple) differential equation for the free-surface of the charge body. Combining the velocity field gradients with a suitable constitutive choice for the shear stress completes the picture with a description of the in-situ rate of shear power dissipation in a tumbling mill ? a mechanistically correct account of power draw in a tumbling mill. Positron Emission Particle Tracking (PEPT) was used to measure the in-situ flow fields of the charge within opaque systems like tumbling mills. The accurate velocity and mass distribution derived from PEPT form the basis for direct verification of the resulting granular flow models. In this regard a wide range of milling conditions is investigated and presented in this paper.

Sep 1, 2012

By J. Lindström, J. Hamuyuni, M. Lundström, J. Aromaa

"The rising demand for metals today, coupled with the scarcity of primary sources for raw materials threatens both technological advancements and industrial manufacturing. In order to meet the demand, metals and other resources trapped in waste streams, have to be harnessed. This philosophy supports circular economy, where metals and other resources are kept in a closed loop. The pickling acid recovery system of most stainless steel production is one such example where the dissolved metals such as iron, nickel and chromium are currently not completely recovered due to the limitations of the current technologies. The aim of this study was to assess the available metals recovery methods from extremely concentrated acids. The main aim is to simultaneously recover metals and keep sulphuric acid reusable in acid circulation process. From the available literature, the most promising methods were chosen for laboratory experiments. Based on experimental work, the results and observations of electrodeposition, solvent extraction, and freeze crystallization are provided. KEYWORDS Pickling acid, metal recovery, solvent extraction, cathodic polarization, Freeze crystallization. INTRODUCTION Pickling in stainless steel production is an essential surface treatment process (Regel-Rosocka, M. (2010); Agrawal and Sahu, 2009). It is applied for removing surface films such as oxides and chromium-depleted layers to improve the corrosion resistance and surface finish of steel (Regel-Rosocka, 2010). Whilst the process greatly improves the surface finish of the stainless steel, it generates large amount of used acid, containing dissolved metals including chromium, iron, and nickel (Agrawal and Sahu, 2009). Recovery of acid is common practice for most steel producing industries (Nyman and Koivunen, 1986). In this work, acid regeneration process is investigated so as to simultaneously reusing sulfuric acid and recovering the dissolved metals. Recovery of valuable metals even in very small amounts would also bring additional revenue to the steel production industry. At a time when metal production has also been challenged by lack of natural resources for raw materials, secondary sources for metals such as the acid pickling process therefore, have greater potential as supplements. From earlier studies, electrodeposition (Giovanardi and Orlando, 2011; Kuznetsov et al., 200; Rögener et al., 2012; Surviliene et al., 2006), solvent extraction (Alguacil and López 1996; Haghshenas et al., 2009; Kesieme et al., 2013) and freeze crystallization (Beyer et al.,2003; Hasan et al.,2017; Van der Ham et al., 1999) are some of the most established potential methods. Earlier studies have also shown that simultaneous recovery of acid and metals would require combination of different methods. This is primarily due to the nature of very stable metal containing complex compounds formed during pickling. These complexes must be broken down to free the metals for further recovery processes."

Jan 1, 2018

By E. V. Zelinskaya, V. U. Starostina

"The Irkutsk region is a raw material region. There are a lot of big enterprises for extraction and processing of oil, gas, coal, iron, gold and rock salt. Besides of it, refractory clays, limestone, mica, gypsum and talc are mined in the region. The most important type of mineral raw material is a gold. More than 8.5% of the total mining in the Russian Federation is extracted in Irkutsk region. It is about 0.7% of the world production. The environmental problems of mining and processing enterprises are a complex set of issues that requires of the searching of effective methods to be solved. One of the key environmental problems remains the reduction of waste generation and the introduction of environmentally safe waste management. After analysing different methods of environmental impact assessment it is established that the method of Life Cycle Assessment is one of the most effective methods for mining production. This method base? on the material balance of flows of raw materials, products and waste. The method of Life Cycle Assessment allows to identify the effects of environmental pollution under the influence of mining and processing at a quantitative level and to show real quantitative forecasts of the possibility of managing the flows of raw materials and waste.INTRODUCTION The Irkutsk region is a raw material region. There are a lot of big enterprises for extraction and processing of oil, gas, coal, iron, gold and rock salt. Besides of it, refractory clays, limestone, mica, gypsum and talc are mined in the region. The most important type of mineral raw material is a gold. More than 8.5% of the total mining in the Russian Federation is extracted in Irkutsk region. It is about 0.7% of the world production. The main provider of precious metal is the Bodaibo region. This is a main location for the major ore companies such as “Vysochaishy”, which produces about 5.0 tons a gold per year; “Pervenets”(PJSC Polyus, the largest gold producer in Russia) - 4.5 tons/year, “Druza” - 0, 5 tons/year. Placer gold is extracted by more than 40 enterprises. In connection with this, there are many plans about a building of new and reconstruction of concentrating factories. Consequently, an increase in the volume of processing is expected. The main projects are the construction of a new mill of the Mining and processing plant GOK “Vysochaishy” with a capacity of 2.6 million tonnes of ore per year; the development of the “Uhakhan” gold-field - 23 km from the “Goltsa Vysochaishy” gold-field; the opening in the Bodaibo region the next parts of the gold-deposit ""Pervenets"". Additional, the growth in a gold production can be achieved by a store of gold in the “Sukhoi Log” deposi"

Jan 1, 2018

By Robin B. Batterham

"Since the 1970?s we have seen a marked corporate response in terms of the environment. In part this has come from regulation but it has largely come from stakeholders and the community. Rising expectations have in general been met. We now see a similar trend towards sustainability. At the same time, the importance of mining to the share market has decreased drastically and with that decrease has come the requirement for the mining sector to show returns similar in manner to other sectors. While rationalisation can achieve some progress towards these goals, the long-term requirement is for innovation, as it always has been. This paper looks to the logical goal of innovation within a sustainable mining framework and targets the removal of the desired metal values with minimal environmental footprint. It is suggested that broad ranging alliances will be necessary, particularly amongst the R&D suppliers, to achieve this goal. Industry will need to take an active role given the recent global restructuring.THE MARCH TO SUSTAINABILITYSince the 1970?s there has been an increasing corporate response on environmental matters. We have moved from matters environmental being issues relevant only to minority groups through a series of attitudinal changes by management. Whilst there have always been examples of excellent environmental performance, for many in the 70?s spending money on improving the environment beyond some minimal level was seen as a distraction from production or treated in a similar way to donations to the community. There is little of that attitude these days, as most mining companies have long since regarded the environment as a core business direction. Indeed, for some years one could note an escalation in matters of environmental reporting to the extent that the environmental performance of companies is now very public. In some cases, NGOs have even been invited to help certify and audit the reporting standards. Similarly with health & safety.There is now a rising expectation on the part of the community that social matters will also be given the same level of support as health, safety and the environment. This time around it would appear that the mining industry is at the leading edge of sustainability. The Global Mining Initiative (Global Mining, 2002) and the contributions to the Rio World Summit on Sustainable Development (Rio +10, 2002) suggest that sustainability is being taken very seriously by the mining industry. For sustainability it is convenient to use the Brundtland (1987) definition. This definition has widespread acceptance with governments, industry, environmental groups, financial institutions and individuals as a direction against which our activities and plans can be measured."

Jan 1, 2003

By R. K. Logric

Bor flotation tailings are very interesting from two reasons: first, is having due value presently, and second represent serious pollutant into this region of Balkan. This paper is only one small part of investigation about processing of valuable minerals from tailings, and desulphurization of this biggest pollutant in the same time, by refloating. The main objective of this work is to pay attention on this problem for resolve greatest environ-mental problem of Serbia and Balkan in the nearly future. Bor is potential regional risk spot, since that failure of its tailings dams would release high amounts of toxic materials that would reach the Danube River. The basic goal of this experimental investigation was finding some possibility for flotation tailings treatment by classical froth flotation. In order was obtained material effect through copper recovery, and environmental protection by moving the rest of reprocessing into the safe place. The work present obtained results of laboratory tests in two laboratories: laboratory of mineral and recycling technology at the faculty in Bor, and laboratory of department of mineral processing of ITNMS in Belgrade.

Jan 1, 2014

By Carlos Gualdron, Elizabeth Gomez, Rafael Bolivar

The productivity index of the Coopracarcegua Ltda., a mid-size coal mining company of Norte de Santander, Colombia, was related absenteeism using accident, productivity and profit data four years. The analysis was based on type, severity and frequency of accidents, number of absentee days; price per metric ton, and other relevant parameters. The enterprise is formed by 5 different mines of thermic coal, each one with different exploitation technologies and different productivity. Each mine was analysed separately and the loss of profit due to absenteeism was calculate for each one. The study showed that the foregone earnings due to absenteeism in terms of the whole productivity of the enterprise was about of 6.6% of the total profit average the 4 years, with calculated values of 14.7%, 3.5%, 8.4% and 4% per year in the evaluated period. The study identified that the most important cause of absenteeism was "General Disease". The foregone earnings in 2009, the highest loss for the analysed period, was about US$ 0.937 million and during the whole evaluated period was US$ 2.46 million.

Jan 1, 2014

By Ö. Genç

In this paper, full-scale mill data collected from three different circuit configurations in cement plants demonstrated the size reduction performance of dry ball mills in relation with the ball size classification achieved by the classifying liners used in the grinding compartments. Findings indicated that, breakage rates at the last 2 ~ 4 meters of the mill are not sufficient to give reasonable size reduction ratios for the production of fines. Application of only damming rings without classifying liners resulted in inverse ball size classification which lead to reduction in size reduction performance thus specific breakage rates.

Jan 1, 2014

By F. H. Wang

The Yinmao Lead-Zinc Mine Co. Ltd. has got 50 years of mining history. In recent years, the manganese grade in the flotation tailings has been continuously increasing. In order to make fuller use of the existing resources, as well as to increase the company?s economic efficiency, our company adopted the technique ?magnetic separation? and ?iron removal? to effectively recycle the manganese concentrate resources.

Jan 1, 2014

By Ibrahim Alp, Ersin Yazici, Oktay Celep, Haci Deveci

Low extractions (<80%) in cyanide leaching impose the application of physical and chemical pre-treatment methods (e.g., ultra-fine grinding, roasting, alkaline leaching) prior to cyanide leaching to achieve acceptable recoveries. The effectiveness of the selected pre-treatment method is linked intimately with inherent mineralogical properties of ore. In this study, a refractory silver ore assaying 145 g/t Ag was subjected to various pretreatment tests in an attempt to eliminate its refractoriness. Direct cyanidation of the ground ore (d80: 65 µm) produced a low silver extraction of only 29.5% over 24 h indicating its high refractoriness. Previous studies have shown that silver occurs mainly as Sb/As containing sulfide minerals such as pyrargyrite (Ag3SbS3), tetrahedrite (Cu12Sb4S13) and proustite (Ag3AsS3), which do not respond well to cyanide leaching. Also, silver-containing minerals are closely associated with and/or encapsulated in other mineral phases that can restrict the contact of cyanide with silver. Therefore, alkaline leaching (using 3 M of Na2S, NaOH or KOH solution) and ultra-fine grinding as pre-treatment methods were tested to improve the extraction of silver. All the alkaline leaching tests were carried out for 3 h at800C. Neither NaOH nor KOH leaching produced the desired effect on the extraction of silver (i.e., ~30%). Even, a sharp decrease in the extraction of silver (i.e., 10%) was observed in Na2S leaching. On the other hand, ultra-fine grinding (UFG) (d80: 3 µm) substantially improved the extraction of silver in cyanide leaching (95% Ag at 24 h after UFG). It can be inferred from these findings that the refractoriness of the ore is essentially physical in character (i.e. the encapsulation of silver presumably in non-sulphide minerals such as barite and quartz).

Jan 1, 2014

By K. C. Corin, M. S. Manono, R. M. Manenzhe, J. G. Wiese

"Environmental concerns necessitate the recycling of process water within mining operations. Given that recycled water is chemically different from fresh water, and collectors are added such that they adsorb at the liquid-particle interface, changes in the aqueous phase are expected to affect collector adsorption. A Finnish nickel-copper ore was floated in synthetic plant waters of varying ionic strengths and plant waters obtained at Boliden Kevitsa Mine, with aerophine and sodium isopropyl xanthate as collectors. Of the tested waters, the copper thickener overflow was the least conducive to xanthate adsorption and valuable mineral recovery. The nickel thickener overflow, standard process water, and raw water were the most conducive to xanthate adsorption. For the raw water and nickel thickener overflow, increased adsorption correlated with increased valuable mineral recovery. Further, recycling xanthate retained in water affected the selectivity of the collector and hence the concentrate grades.INTRODUCTIONFlotation is a separation process that exploits the differences in the surface properties of the particles being separated. The efficiency of separation is dependent on the degree of hydrophobicity achieved by the particles meant to be floated, which are, in most cases, valuable minerals. The hydrophobicity is in turn dependent on the adsorption of the chosen collector onto the surfaces of the floated particles (Fuerstenau, 1984; Taggart and Hassialis, 1946). Empirical findings suggest that species dissolved in solution strongly influence collector adsorption and overall flotation response (Fuerstenau and Chander, 1986). Due to environmental concerns, it is becoming more pertinent for mining plants to recycle process water and hence limit the usage of potable water. There is an interest to ensure minimal discharge of plant water into the environment, as this water is typically polluted with process reagents that may render it toxic (Levay et al., 2001)."

Jan 1, 2018

By E. V. Koporulina, E. L. Chanturiya, M. V. Ryazantseva, E. S. Zhuravleva

"The morphology of the surface of sphalerite, galena and chalcopyrite and the adsorption of butyl xanthate under conditions of preliminary treatment of minerals by the products of water electrolysis were studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Diffuse Reflection Infrared Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). It was determined that practically all types of treatment by electrochemically modified water (a product of non-diaphragmatic treatment, anolyte and catholyte) lead to an increase of surface roughness of the studied minerals due to formation of small rounded shape particles. In contrast to that, after treatment of chalcopyrite by anolyte, its surface becomes smoother. Various effects of treatment by the water electrolysis products on the adsorption of chemical and physical forms of butyl xanthate on the studied sulfides were established. As a result, the efficiency of the complex of AFM and FTIR methods, as one of the ex-situ approaches for monitoring the surface state of sulfide minerals and direct investigation of BKx adsorption products was demonstrated.INTRODUCTION In mineral processing, copper-zinc sulfide ores are one of the most complex products in view of their mineral composition, fine dissemination, complex inter-growth and the proximity of the technological characteristics of copper, zinc and iron sulfides. For the most complete disintegration, fine grinding of ores to a size of 0.074-0.044 mm is necessary. Consequently, the main method for processing of such ores is flotation, which bases on the difference in physical and chemical properties of the mineral surfaces, in particular, degree of wettability. The separation of copper and zinc minerals and their separation from ferrous and other sulfides, sulfosalts and rock mineral is a very difficult task (Chanturiya, 2000). For the successful separation of copper and zinc minerals in the appropriate selective concentrates, it is necessary to find conditions for the most complete liberation of ore and rock-forming minerals and for increase the contrast in physical and chemical properties of their surfaces. Despite significant progress in the processing of copper-zinc sulfide ores, the problem of the selectivity of the separation of the main ore minerals has not yet been fully solved and requires innovative approaches (Chanturiya, 2015). To date, various methods of preliminary energy processing of complex ores are used: magnetic pulse treatment, impact by high-voltage nanosecond pulses, electrochemical effects (including products of water electrolysis (Chanturiya et al., 2014; Bunin et al., 2015; Chanturiya et al., 2014a; Chanturiya et al., 2016), processing with flotation reagents, etc. Electrochemical treatment of water in various modes allows to obtain products of electrolysis with different oxidation-reduction properties: acid anolyte with a high oxidation potential and dissolved oxygen content, an alkaline catholyte with high reducing properties and a product of non-diaphragmatic treatment with enhanced reduction properties."

Jan 1, 2018

By O. Kökkilic

This study covers the tests to develop separation process for production of clay and colemanite rich concentrates, and aims to serve the clay and colemanite concentrates extracted from the tailing dams to the industrial applications. For this purpose, samples from the tailing dams in Kestelek Boron Plant (Turkey) with an average B2O3 content of 8%~11 % were subjected to the investigations. The separation process of hydrocyclone--to make clear the way to obtain either clean clay or cole-manite--was initially discussed. Therefore, following the gentle scrubbing (to keep the bimodal size distribution between clay and colemanite) of the tailings to disperse the slurry, two alternative multistage hydrocyclone processes; allowing to recycling the overflows or underflows to concentrate clay and colemanite were respectively tested. As a result of the preliminary tests, the multistage hydrocyclone separation in direction to the clean colemanite concentrates (recycling the underflows) gave the better separation efficiencies. So, all the parameters such as apex and vortex finder diameters and feeding pressures were examined with the multistage hydrocyclone process allowing the recycling the underflows. The detailed multistage hydrocyclone separation process of the tailing dam wastes yielded with colemanite concentrates (approx. 12 % of the feed, w/w) with B2O3 content of 35.0 % and the clay concentrates (approx. 42 % of the feed, w/w) with B2O3 content of 2.1 %. Colemanite concentrates were found good enough either to re-feed in to the separation process or to keep upgrading for final product ready to use in Industry whereas the attempts on production of light bricks from clay concentrates has failed. But it is worth to point out that these clay concentrates can be used for agricultural purposes just in the form as it is.

Jan 1, 2014

By A. Pirson, J. Souza, A. Araujo, M. Barbosa, F. Guimarães, J. Lima

"Although a large number of processes have been developed and applied to the separation of barite from other minerals, there is a lack of information in the literature about the separation of barite from iron ores. Nowadays, there are millions of tonnes of iron ore disposed as a waste or tailings given its high content of sulphur in the form of barite. In order to effectively separate barite from iron ore and ensure that mining business is truly creating economic and sustainable values, this paper provides a greater understanding of barite properties, the origin and occurrence of this barium-bearing mineral, and the employed beneficiation processes. A test work is conducted in a barite bearing iron ore from a deposit located in the Republika Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina) in order to separate the barite and check if a marketable by-product can be produced by drawing upon rich barite tailings. INTRODUCTION The exploration of iron ore containing barite results in a large amount of unrecovered material. The main difficulty in processing and using barite bearing iron ores is given by their high content of sulphur, silica and barium, which are unwanted chemical compounds in the subsequent processes in iron industry. As a result, millions of tonnes of iron ore are discarded every year into tailings or as a waste, which results in production losses, higher operation costs and environmental impacts (Praes et al. 2013). Therefore, the separation of barite from iron ores not only means reducing the environmental impact, but also an opportunity to generate income and beneficiate society. The beneficiation of barite bearing iron ores is a subject which requires a deeper investigation to solve the challenges faced by the iron industry. There are only a few studies that describe flowsheets proposed for the production of barite concentrate of iron ores. The most likely reason for this gap is that barite is frequently exploited commercially as a primary product rather than a by-product. In order to effectively separate barite from iron ore and ensure that mining business is truly creating economic and sustainable values, this paper provides a greater understanding of barite properties, the origin and occurrence of this barium-bearing mineral, and the employed beneficiation processes. A test work is conducted in a barite bearing iron ore from a deposit located in the Republika Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina) in order to separate the barite and verify if a marketable by-product can be produced by drawing upon rich barite tailings."

Jan 1, 2018

By L. E. Veki, S. M. Luukkanen, J. P. Karvonen, J. O. Leppinen

Today there is a consensus that xanthate adsorption on sulfide minerals is primarily controlled by redox reactions occurring at specific potentials on these semi-conductive minerals. Consequently, it is possible to control xanthate adsorption by controlling electrochemical conditions in the system by using oxidizing and reducing agents. The scope of this study was to investigate the possibilities to increase the selectivity of Cu-Fe-Zn ore flotation by applying electrochemical control in the conditioning of the flotation feed. In this work, mild steel grinding in a nitrogen atmosphere was used as the basis to provide a negative starting potential and minimize the amount of oxidation products on sulfide mineral surfaces. To study how different potential levels affect flotation results, a controlled conditioning procedure was utilized maintaining potential at a desired level by titrating the pulp with air. Xanthate adsorption kinetics during conditioning was examined by taking pulp samples for spectrophotometric analysis and laboratory flotation tests were conducted for samples that underwent the controlled conditioning procedure in the potential range of -200mV to +200mV vs. SHE. A clear correlation was detected between chalcopyrite recovery and the potential during controlled conditioning indicating that there was a constant increase in chalcopyrite recovery when the potential was shifted to more anodic values. It is possible that utilizing potential control in the conditioning stage, a smelter grade copper concentrate can be achieved directly in rougher flotation without cleaning stages. Conditioning in favorable conditions had significant positive effects on flotation selectivity of chalcopyrite. The improvement in copper concentrate grade being predominantly caused by the depression of pyrite. By applying the controlled conditioning procedure pyrite recovery in rougher flotation was reduced even low as under 1%, while in the tests without controlled conditioning, pyrite recovery varied between 7.5 – 65.7%. The result of this work indicate that affecting collector adsorption by electrochemical control in the conditioning stage can provide significant improvement in sulfide mineral flotation and industrial applications could lead to decreased chemical consumption, reduced equipment and maintenance costs.

Jan 1, 2018

By Markus A. Reuter, Bernardete Castro, Antoinette van Schaik, Han Remmerswaal

This paper describes the inseparable relation between product design, liberation, and metallurgical recovery in the optimisation of the recycling of passenger vehicles. This is illustrated by the use of an optimisation model that uses among others a material combination matrix based on metallurgical process data, which depicts the consequences of the quality of intermediate recycling products on the metallurgical material recovery and final alloy metal quality. Various simulations will illustrate the effect of changes in product design and hence liberation on the recycling of end-of-life vehicles. Although this paper focuses on cars, the discussion is equally valid for any end-of-life product. Calibration of the model will be discussed with reference to experiments carried out in order to study the optimal recovery of aluminium applications used in passenger vehicles.

Jan 1, 2003

By M. Muravyov, T. Kondrat’eva, A. Bulaev

Metallurgical treatments of sulfide ores containing copper and zinc are characterized by significant losses of base metals, particularly formation of the flotation tailings and slags during the dressing and pyrometallurgical treatment respectively. In addition, SO2 gas obtained during roasting and converting may be as raw material for sulfuric acid production. A treatment of the industrial metallurgical wastes has been investigated. Two samples of old pyrite tailings from two concentrators that contained 0.36% and 0.26% of copper and 0.23% and 0.22% of zinc were leached with 10% sulfuric acid in the column. Recovery of copper reached 47% and 38% while recovery of zinc was 47% and 41% from the first and second samples, respectively. The pregnant leach solutions contained 15.9 g/l and 10.5 g/l of ferric iron. Ferric iron is the strong oxidant and ferric containing pregnant leach solutions can be used for ferric leaching of different types of raw materials containing sulfide minerals. Therefore, ferric leaching of copper converter slag flotation tailings contained 0.53% of copper and 2.77% of zinc with the first pregnant leach solution was conducted. The effect of various experimental parameters on the leaching dynamics of copper, zinc, and iron under batch conditions was investigated. Under the best conditions (temperature 70oC, pulp density 30%) the recovery of copper and zinc reached 80% and 42%, respectively. Thus, it has been shown that acid leaching of base metals from old pyrite flotation tailings with using of the pregnant leach solution for the ferric leaching of copper converter slag flotation tailings is a prospective technique for the complex treatment of mining and metallurgical wastes. Investigated processes could be introduced into the technological flow-sheet of typical pyrometallurgical plants.

Jan 1, 2014