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By K. Awuah-Offei, A. U. Rehman

"Information diffusion potential of a social media user affects how quickly information about a mineral project can diffuse through that user. If management can use social media and network analysis, in community engagement program, to understand how fast and how far information will diffuse to communities and followers of particular social media users, it can selectively focus on the most influential users. This paper proposes a method to examine the information diffusion potential of social media accounts. The work uses Gephi, an open source software, to extract and analyze data from different Twitter handles to predict their information diffusion potential. The work uses case studies of real Twitter users (e.g. mining news organizations and bloggers) associated with mining to illustrate the approach. The case study results show that there are significant disparities in information diffusion potential that will demand selective attention. This research will help mines develop effective social media engagement strategies. INTRODUCTION The mineral industry provides raw material for industrial activity to support our society (Martens and Rattmann, 2001). Mines have changed conventional mining practices to sustainable ones because of the negative impacts of mining and increased public awareness (Wang et al 2016). The concept of sustainable mining is getting mature as stakeholders (e.g., governments, investors and host communities) are getting involved in mining projects (World Economic Forum, 2014). The failure of mining companies to address the demands of these stakeholders might result in failure to acquire social license to operate (Thomson and Boutilier, 2011). The social license to operate (SLO), if granted, is mutually beneficial to all stakeholders. Mines prefer being granted SLO and keeping it to avoid any kind of social unrest due to their operation (Prno, 2013; Moffat and Zhang, 2014). Mining communities can grant different levels of SLO; ranging from withholding SLO to psychologically identifying with the project (Joyce and Thomson, 2000; Thomsan and Boutilier, 2011). Most of the previous work to understand community perceptions and SLO in mining is generally qualitative (ICMM, 2012a; Thomson and Boutilier, 2011; Prno, 2013; Moffat and Zhang, 2014; IFC, 2014). In particular, there is limited work on how community perceptions change over time due to information diffusion (Boateng and Awuah-Offei, 2017). However, SLO changes with respect to time (Yates and Horvath, 2013), which can result in risks that are not easy to predict. Mine managers and engineers have a desire to understand these changes so as to mitigate these risks (Que and Awuah-Offei, 2014; Que et al., 2015)."

Jan 1, 2018

By Eugie Kabwe

The effective employment of a pretensioned bolt within support structures requires an appropriate installation tension as a result of sufficient bolt head/nut preload. In this paper, a load indicator washer (LIW) able to withstand an assigned static loading as well as provide an appropriate pretension is presented. The different LIW breadths are numerically analyzed with ABAQUS finite-element code to estimate deformation when a designated 60 kN preload is applied. The numerical simulation employs the bilinear isotropic hardening constitutive law governed by the von Mises yield criterion. The simulation also considers the nominal temperature of the nut-LIW-rock bolt connection. Therefore, long-term relaxation effect on bolt pretension as a result of stress relaxation is neglected. The compressive force required to achieve the LIW predetermined deformation is the bolt pretension. It is drawn from the simulation results that LIWs with thicknesses of 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 mm are completely flattened when subjected to 28, 42.5, 65, 76 and 88 kN preloads, respectively.

By Marvin P. Barnes

An attempt has been made to compile and code geologic data relating to twenty of the major porphyry copper districts of North America in such a manner as to permit the use of modern electronic digital computers to retrieve, compare, and build statistical mathematical models from the input. In the exploration process as part of his broader efforts to evaluate the potential of some prospective region, district, or ore body, the experienced geologist consciously or subconsciously compares and fits the observed geologic features to similar phenomena associated with known ore bodies with which he is acquainted. Thus an adequate conceptual "model" of the total geologic environment and type of ore body sought is an essential requirement for the successful exploration effort. Numerous such models of porphyry coppers already exist in the minds and notes of many experienced geologists today. These models are, of necessity, couched largely in qualitative terms and though they may be quite definite in the mind of the porphyry copper expert, the total concept of what constitutes a porphyry copper deposit and environment is difficult to convey in very precise terms. There probably is no such thing as a typical porphyry copper deposit. However, it is well understood that most of the deposits that have been studied have many geological characteristics in common. A logical question then might be: What characteristics are most common or how often do they occur in common, and what is their relationship to other common characteristics ?

Jan 1, 1970

By B. Holen, J. R. Baregi, J. A. Organiscak, A. B. Cecala

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) cooperated with 3M Company in the design and testing of a new environmentally controlled primary crusher operator booth at the company’s Wausau granite quarry near Wausau, WI. This quarry had an older crusher booth without a central heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and without an air filtration and pressurization system. A new replacement operator booth was designed and installed by 3M based on design considerations from past NIOSH research on enclosed cab filtration systems. NIOSH conducted pre-testing of the old booth and post-testing of the new booth to assess the new filtration and pressurization system’s effectiveness in controlling airborne dusts and particulates. The booth’s dust and particulate control effectiveness is described by its protection factor, expressed as a ratio of the outside to inside concentrations measured during testing. Results indicate that the old booth provided negligible airborne respirable dust protection and low particulate protection from the outside environment. The newly installed booth provided average respirable dust protection factors from 2 to 25 over five shifts of dust sampling with occasional worker ingress and egress from the booth, allowing some unfiltered contaminants to enter the enclosure. Shorter-term particle count testing outside and inside the booth under near-steady-state conditions, with no workers entering or exiting the booth, resulted in protection factors from 35 to 127 on 0.3- to 1.0-µm respirable size particulates under various HVAC airflow operating conditions.

Jan 1, 2015

By X. Wang, Y. Luo

The propensity of coal spontaneous combustion can be evaluated using various laboratory testing methods, such as R70 adiabatic tests, thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA) tests and critical self-heating temperature (CSHT) methods. Each of the methods has its unique characteristics and index for classifying the propensity of self-ignition of coals. Accountable relationships among the propensity indices of different methods should be established. Using the newly established R70 and TGA testing setups in our ventilation laboratory, samples from U.S. coal mines have been collected and tested. The TGA is a relatively new quantitative method. A test can be conducted in a relatively short time, within about one and a half hours, compared to the adiabatic tests. The temperature and weight of the sample can be measured with high precision and then used to determine the activation energy of the coal, which is a good indicator of the potential for self-heating. Under a specific experimental design, the TGA technique could perform the proximate analysis for determining coal quality parameters (e.g., moisture, volatile matter, fixed carbon and ash content). These parameters can be used in an empirical equation for assessing the potential for coal self-ignition. The trend of activation energies determined using TGA techniques is reasonably consistent with the trend of activation energies determined using adiabatic tests. As a case study, a comparative analysis of these two methods for determining activation energy was made on coal samples collected from Indiana. The kinetics of the spontaneous combustion mechanism has been explained. If the functional groups of a coal such as hydroxyl (-OH), carboxyl (-COOH), methyl (-CH3), etc., activate more easily with a small amount of activation energy at a relatively low temperature, the coal will have a higher potential for self-heating. With the kinetic and coal quality parameters determined by the TGA setup, it has been found that the coal with a low potential for self-ignition has low self-heating rate, a high activation energy and a high minimum self-heating temperature.

Jan 1, 2012

By M. Fan, R. Letkiewicz, A. Hobert, J. Milbourne

Ultrafine copper, gold and silver minerals flotation has become increasingly important because of the rising demand for processing finely disseminated ores. This paper investigates the improved flotation of ultrafine ores from a Troilus Gold project. Troilus is primarily an Au-Cu deposit but contains minor amounts of Ag, Zn and Pb, as well as traces of Bi, Te, and Mo. As a result of ultrafine Cu-Au-Ag dissemination and associated grinding requirements, Eriez’ column/StackCell and Denver benchtop cells were utilized to optimize their respective flotation responses. Enhanced flotation results were achieved using column and StackCell technologies. KAX 51 and SPRI 206 collectors, Na2SO3, and ZnSO4 depressants were the primary reagents employed. In column/StackCell flotation of three main mineral deposit ore composites, the rougher-scavenger-cleaner circuit Cu, Au and Ag flotation recoveries were 90.4~95.8% at a copper grade of 13.6-17.4%, 87.5-95.1% at a gold grade of 101-145.9 g/t, and 88.6-91.8% at a silver grade of 62.6-251.4 g/t, respectively. The benefits of Eriez Column/StackCell flotation technologies include high flotation selectivity and increased recovery due to unique hydrodynamic designs. Specifically, the StackCell design facilitates high turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rates to improve fine particle recovery and incorporates countercurrent wash water to significantly reduce hydraulic entrainment of the finest size gangue minerals to the froth product.

Feb 1, 2023

By P. Eger, D. Green

"The Soudan Mine was Minnesota’s first iron mine, operating from 1882 to 1962. The mine was donated to the State of Minnesota in 1963 and became a state park in 1965. The mine discharge contains elevated copper and cobalt concentrations and has been treated with an ion-exchange-resin-based system since 2009. The system includes flow equalization tanks, bag and cartridge filters, a carbon tank and two commercial ion exchange tanks. Although effective, the system’s high cost, inefficient removal of suspended material and substantial maintenance have been ongoing and troublesome issues.In November 2012, we initiated a pilot test using a peat-based sorption media. This media is produced from raw reed-sedge peat through a patented, low-temperature carbonization process that produces a hardened granular sorption material. The granules are uniform, have high hydraulic conductivity and maintain the high metal affinity of natural peat.Mine water was pumped through the peat-based sorption media without any pretreatment. Copper input concentrations typically ranged from 30 to 60 µg/L but increased to a high of 364 µg/L in the summer of 2013. Since startup, more than 60 million L (16 million gal or 32,000 bed volumes) have been treated, with average removal rates of 75 percent for particulate copper and 60 percent for dissolved copper. Backwash is required at about 4,000 bed volumes, but with a combination of air sparging and high-flow backwash, the suspended material is removedfrom the media.One tank of the peat-based sorption media was found to remove copper similarly to the first four components of the existing system. By reducing size and complexity, reductions in operation and maintenance costs are possible. A comparison of the estimated costs indicate that replacing the four initial components with the single media tank has the potential to reduce annual operating costs by more than half from around $163,000 to $70,000."

Jan 1, 2015

By Xiaozhen Song, Ashish Ranjan Kumar, Shimin Liu

To investigate the influence of boreholes, fans, and curtains for large opening underground mines (LOUM), we conducted a field survey for LOUM with the survey data serving as the numerical modeling inputs using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models. Five different CFD modeling results were obtained with different borehole, box fan, and curtain setting conditions. The results indicate that most air quantity directly escapes through outlet 1 after coming into the inlet, causing a huge loss of airflow; volumetric air exchange index (VAEI) and minimum hours of fully exchanging the air (MHFEA) measure air exchange efficiency, with zone 2 of case 5 having the highest VAEI; The borehole minimally affects zones 2, 3, and 4, but drastically alters airflow direction in zone 1; The box fan enhances airflow to zone 2, improving ventilation efficiency and increasing VAEI; Curtains have little effect on distant working faces but influence airflow near inlets and outlets. This study provides a foundation for future research on the influence of boreholes, fans, and curtains, as well as optimizing their placement and effectiveness in face ventilation.

Feb 22, 2026

By B. K. Cantrell

The U.S. Bureau of Mines and others have conducted a number of occupational exposure surveys since the publication of the International Agency for Research on Cancer report of 1989, which labeled diesel exhaust as a probable human carcinogen. These surveys have assessed diesel exhaust exposure using measurement of diesel aerosol and/or specific polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as indicators of exposure. This paper reviews present diesel emission standards, available diesel exhaust aerosol measurement techniques, and the results of the occupational exposure surveys. In the surveys, diesel aerosol was emphasized because it is a major component of diesel exhaust, is suspected to contribute to the health hazard, and is readily measurable. Three primary aerosol measurement techniques were used: respirable combustible dust, size-selective sampling, and measurement of the elemental carbon fraction. Occupations surveyed included mine workers, railroad workers, forklift operators, fire fighters and truck drivers. The studies found mean diesel aerosol concentration levels in the range of 0.004 to 1.74 mg/m3? Highest aerosol exposures were in confined spaces such as mines where heavy diesel equipment is used. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons typically are found at very low concentration levels and are not unique to diesel exhaust.

Jan 1, 1996

By J. F. T. Agapito

Stability in Exxon's Colony Pilot Mine in the Piceance Creek Basin, Colorado has been monitored by periodic pillar stress-determinations End roof-to-floor convergence measurements since 1971. Pillar failure has caused marginal stability in some areas of the mine. Measurements taken during the process of failure provided valuable information on the in-situ pillar strength and long-term behavior of the mine structure. Four pillars were reinforced by 32 mm (1-1/4 in) diameter tensioned grouted bolts to increase long-term stability in the northern area of the mine. Stability of this area is necessary because future plans envision its use as an exit/access and ventilation exhaust. Computer analyses were performed to help evaluate the effect of pillar reinforcement on long-term stability. Results indicate that bolting is particularly useful in stabilizing failed pillars, but its effects are significant only in the immediate area of the pillar. The projected significant decrease in deformation of two extensively failed pillars near a main entry indicates that bolting reinforcement will assist the long-term stability of the opening.

Jan 1, 1985

By Erik Westman, BEN WESTON, SETAREH GHAYCHI AFROUZ, KATHRYN DEHN

This study investigates the changes in seismic velocity of rockmass before and after three major seismic events to determine any potential identifiable precursory velocity changes associated with these events. Induced stress measurement is one of the challenging tasks in deep underground mining, with extreme impacts on the safety and stability of the mine. This study used p-wave passive seismic tomography to image the velocity redistribution within a rockmass, which can indicate induced stress level changes in the rockmass and detect the velocity changes that might precede a major seismic event or a rockburst. The ultimate goal of this research focus is to develop another tool for the deep-mining community that will help to increase safety and efficiency. For this purpose, the hypothesis of conventional mechanics, which implies induced stress at the hypocenter (as inferred by the p-wave velocity) increases until the seismic event occurs, is evaluated. It is found that the p-wave velocity did not increase at any of the three hypocenters prior to the seismic event occurring; however, the p-wave velocity did increase in the closest “zone center” for two of the three events. 

By D. W. Park

Longwall Strata Control and Maintenance System (LoSCoMS) is a software and data communication system developed at the University of Alabama. This system integrates real-time shield monitoring, data presentation, analysis and forecasting of forthcoming events. The main objective of this system is to provide stability information on longwall panels including excessive shield load, low setting pressure, leg leakage and poor shield performance, eminent maintenance problems, etc. Analyses of various mining and geological parameters were also performed to determine past and present roof characteristics and to forecast roof loading patterns for the following mining cycles, next periodic weighting, etc. A local coal mine in the Warrior Coal Basin has adopted this system to provide daily evaluation of ground stability and maintenance problems of their longwall panels. Two years of experience with this system is covered in this paper.

Jan 1, 1998

By J. L. Kearns

The importance of optimizing equipment replacement decisions becomes more critical each year due to the rising costs of buying new equipment versus maintaining old equipment. Replacing equipment when it is physically worn out, or replacing it too soon or too late relative to its Economic Life (when it is economically worn out), is very costly. After extensive literature review and research, Kennecott has developed its Equipment Replacement Guide (ERG) system which identifies, evaluates, and justifies the replacement of uneconomical equipment. The system considers such critical factors as inflation, decreasing work capability, increasing maintenance/repair and operating costs, taxes, time value of money, return on investment, salvage value, and investment tax credit. These factors are used in a system of equations which balance the costs of new equipment against the total operating costs of old equipment. The solution of the equations determines the Economic Life of equipment. Replacement of equipment at the determined Economic Life will earn the specified, required return on investment that is used in the calculation of the Economic Life.

Jan 1, 1979

By E. Siami-Irdemoosa, S. R. Dindarloo

"Discrete event simulation is a stochastic mathematical modeling tool with applications in queuing systems. Many mining operations, both surface and underground, can be simulated in the context of queuing theory , for example open pit loading and haulage operation, underground level and vertical transportation, and mineral processing circuits. A computer simulation model of the operation is an invaluable tool to study both the system’s dynamics and conducting sensitivity analysis on different effective elements on system performance. In this paper, merits of discrete event simulation in decision making in mining engineering is discussed. Moreover, a stochastic simulation framework for selection and sizing of shovels and dump trucks in surface mining is presented to elaborate one example for applicability of the method in mining operations. INTRODUCTION Mathematical modeling is a valuable tool in design, optimization, and decision making in both surface and underground mining operations. Several researchers have tried to study different aspects of mining operations using a wide range of mathematical techniques such as linear programming[1], analytical hierarchy process [2], non-linear programming[3], genetic algorithms[4-5] ,mixed integer programming [6], machine repair model[7], queuing theory [8], and conventional spreadsheet calculations based on experience and engineering judgments. There are different uncertainties in typical mining operations (e.g. material loading and haulage, drilling, and blasting). For example, in a truck-shovel operation, different governing activities such as loading, haulage, and dumping cycles are stochastic variables. Moreover, analytical modeling of a large truck-shovel operation is very complicated. Thus, application of analytical and/or deterministic techniques cannot guarantee a solution for different problems that are encountered in daily mining operations. Discrete-event system simulation (DES) is a modeling method for such time discrete and probabilistic phenomena [9]. DES has been employed by different researchers in mining engineering through available software and languages such as GPSS, SIMAN- ARENA, and SLAM [10-14]. Most of the studies so far, tried to evaluate some “what-if” scenarios, to understand the possible effects of changing different input variables on overall mine economics. For instance, Baffi and Ataeepur (1996) used Arena to simulate a truck-shovel operation [10]. Also, Sturgul has conducted extensive studies in the application of DES in the mining engineering field [15- 17]. A very good background review of application of this technique in the industry can be found in [15-16]. Previous studies have shown that, different approaches including deterministic, stochastic, and experimental methodologies result in considerable differences in outputs [18]. These techniques lead to different solutions, regardless of the quality of technique/software itself or knowledge of the modeling team. Hence, the first step is to develop a comprehensive simulation framework to obtain nearly the same optimal results for the same input variables, regardless of the employed technique."

Jan 1, 2016

By S. Klein, M. McLeod, S. Gambino, K. Johnson, E. O’Hara

The Mokelumne Aqueducts Resiliency Project (MARP) involves construction of a 16.5-mile tunnel across the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta) to replace the existing surface aqueduct pipelines with more resilient conveyance. The tunnel will be bored in Pleistocene-age alluvium at elevations between 100 to 10 feet below mean sea level. At this depth ground conditions are signicantly stiffer and denser than surcial soils and will mitigate potential seismic harards related to liquefaction ground shaking and cooding that could arise from potentially damaged levees. The heterogeneous soil deposits at tunnel depth consist of interbedded layers of stiff to very stiff clay and silt, and dense to very dense clean sand and silty sand.

Jun 23, 2024

By P. B. Queneau

An operating problem encountered at the Moa Bay operation in Cuba, where nickeliferous laterite ore is processed by sulfuric acid pressure leaching, is the formation of alunite and hematite deposits on the autoclave walls. The AMPX Extractive Research & Development, Inc., metallurgical laboratory (Golden, Colorado) has made substantial improvements in the Moa Bay process in the areas of metal recovery, energy consumption, and feed versatility. One of the advantages of AMAX's process is its ability to treat substantial portions of nickel- and magnesium-rich serpentine while maintaining acid utilization efficiency. The process minimizes scale formation by combining staged acid addition with vigorous agitation and 270°C operation, but does not eliminate scaling. This paper describes how advantage can be taken of MgSO4?XH20 precipitation both to inhibit alunite scaling and to disperse hematite scale within the MgSO4?XH20 matrix. Cooling the autoclave from its 270°C operating temperature down to 180°C takes advantage of the reverse solubility of magnesium sulfate. The magnesium dissolves, liberating entrained hematite, thus providing a means for control of autoclave scale with minimum process disruption.

Jan 1, 1984

By Jeff Mattern

"Slope performance monitoring, dependable operational practices and ongoing collection of geologic data in openpit slopes all provide valuable information for quantifying potential steepening of subsequent slopes. Mining at the Goldstrike openpit has been ongoing since the early 1980s, having its share of slope instabilities. In areas where slopes have remained stable, consideration has been made for potential slope steepening of final walls.While technology can be efficient, interesting for collecting needed data, slope design fundamentals based on that data can be applied to create much added value.With the proper available equipment, steepening of bench face angles via presplit blasting is not an uncommon method for steepening of interramp slope angles. As an alternative at Goldstrike, the commonly used Modified Ritchie Criteria for empirical catch bench width has been adjusted, resulting in quantified, rock-specific formulas for bench width and rock fall berm placement. The result is an inter-ramp slope angle increase of 2° on a 305- m (1,000-ft) high slope, without the necessary purchases and procedural changes that would be required for presplit drilling and blasting. The result has shown significant net benefits through reduction in mined waste tons and an increase in gold reserves.LocationThe Goldstrike openpit is located in the Great Basin, on the northern end of the Carlin Trend gold belt in northeastern Nevada (Fig. 1). The mine has produced more than 1.2 kt (43 million oz) of gold during the past 30 years."

Dec 1, 2018

By S. Natansohn

A prevalent technique for the recovery of silver from wastes generated in silver-tungsten electrical contact fabrication is electrowinning. Such scrap is placed in a permeable plastic basket which constitutes the anode compartment and this basket is suspended in a larger cell in which the cathode is mounted. A silver nitrate solution is used as the electrolyte and, upon application of an electric field, the silver migrates to the cathode where it deposits out. At times, there is tungsten migration to the cathode compartment and consequent co-deposition with the silver. This W contamination, which may amount to several thousand ppm, necessitates additional purification of the deposited Ag and its removal would therefore be advantageous. The elimination of the W impurity would also extend the operating period of the cell with corresponding increase in the Ag output and savings in labor costs.

Jan 1, 1982

By J. -B. C. Varnier, J. A. Cremeens, D. D. Overton

"Slope failures that occurred in 2008 and 2009 at the Pikeview Quarry in El Paso County in Colorado in the United States were investigated using three-dimensional discrete element modeling methods. Large-scale block sliding failures occurred along weak bedding planes that dip steeply into an excavation located at the toe of the slope. Several mining sequences at the toe of the slope were simulated to evaluate the effects of various degrees of extraction and backfill on slope stability. Slope stability back-analysis was conducted using prefailure and post-failure conditions to determine the joint shear strength properties. Laboratory testing was also conducted to determine intact rock properties. Three-dimensional discrete element analysis was uniquely applicable to this evaluation because it allowed representation of shear stress of the basal sliding surface and afforded evaluation of several scenarios of extraction and backfill at the toe of the slope. IntroductionThe Pikeview Quarry is an aggregate quarry located approximately 8 km (5 miles) northwest of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, CO, USA. The quarry has been operated by several owners since the early 1900s. According to the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA, 1986), the quarry has been a major source of construction aggregate for the Colorado Springs area for many years. In the 1950s, the site was mined by Peter Kiewit and Sons to provide limestone for the construction of the nearby Air Force Academy.A large-scale slope failure occurred on Dec. 2, 2008, which stopped mining activity at the Pikeview Quarry. A second, related slope failure occurred on Sept. 13, 2009. The second slope failure was located immediately adjacent to the initial December 2008 failure.The objective of this paper is to discuss the three-dimensional slope stability evaluation. The causal relationships of slope instability are not within the scope of this publication. However, omitting the precursors to slope failure would limit understanding of the nature of the slope stability evaluation. The regional and local geology and the history of slope instability at the Pikeview Quarry aid in understanding these precursors. Two main failure mechanisms were hypothesized during the failure investigation to explain the triggering of the 2008 and 2009 large slope failures at the Pikeview Quarry, and both of these mechanisms were given equal credence in the present study. Quarry excavation and backfilling was a key factor in the slope instability for both failure mechanisms. The excavation was backfilled in stages in an effort to provide slope support. The objective of the three-dimensional model was to evaluate the effects of extraction and backfill at the toe of the slope with respect to slope stability."

Jan 3, 2018

By Quanjun Liu, Rongping Lin, Rongdong Deng

Arsenic contamination significantly affects the quality of copper concentrates, presenting challenges during smelting processes. Considering that covellite and enargite have similar surface properties, they are difficult to separate by flotation, resulting in copper concentrates with excessive levels of arsenic. To address this issue, this study systematically investigated the flotation separation of covellite and enargite in microflotation and bench-scale flotation tests using calcium lignosulfonate as a depressant, with the results indicating that calcium lignosulfonate can be used to separate covellite and enargite because it enables the separation of arsenic-bearing copper minerals into high- and low-arsenic (As 0.57%) copper concentrates. According to contact angle and adsorption tests, scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the differential adsorption of calcium lignosulfonate onto covellite and enargite is the primary reason for their distinct flotation behaviors in the presence of calcium lignosulfonate. The selective depressive effect of calcium lignosulfonate provides a novel approach for improving the flotation separation of arsenic-bearing minerals from copper sulfide minerals.

Feb 28, 2024