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By Venkataramana Runkana, Aditya Pareek, Vishnu Masampally, Nagaravi Kumar Varma Nadimpalli

"Recovery and grade of the ore produced are two important metrics, which define the profitability of a mineral processing plant. Achieving high grade and high recovery at the same time in a mineral processing plant is difficult due to conflicting nature of the two objectives. To explore the operability limits of the plant operations and find the set of operating conditions that can help achieve the best possible recovery and grade, there is a need to solve a multi-objective optimization (MOO) problem. Past research focused on building a plant-wide simulation model or on optimization of individual units or a part of a mineral processing plant like grinding circuit, crushing circuit, etc. However, it is necessary to consider optimization of the complete plant in order to optimize the plant performance. Here, we have formulated the mineral processing plant performance optimization as a MOO problem. We have applied machine-learning algorithms such as random forest to build models to predict the recovery and grade of the ore. A non-dominated sorting-based multi-objective evolutionary algorithm called NSGA-II (Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II) was employed to solve the MOO problem. Since the number of parameters that influence recovery and grade are quite large, we have applied machine-learning algorithms for feature selection or identification of key process variables. Pareto optimal conditions were determined for manipulated variables like grinding mill throughput, speed ratio at SAG mill, speed of centrifugal pump, water addition at different locations etc. The results obtained are useful in identifying the operability of a mineral processing plant to achieve the optimum grade and recovery for a given feed grade and the processing circuit. INTRODUCTION Copper is majorly mined or extracted as copper sulfides from large open pit mines in porphyry copper deposits. Among all the available ores, sulfides are the most commercial ores, especially chalcopyrite (Greenwood and Alan, 1997). Copper grade in these ores generally lies between 0.4 to 1.0%. In order to perform smelting operation, the grade of copper has to be improved to around 30% (Biswas et al. 2013). This targeted copper grade is achieved through two stages of mineral processing. Firstly, the copper in the ore has to be liberated by crushing the mineral rock. Secondly, the liberated copper in the crushed ore is then physically separated from other minerals like nickel by froth flotation techniques."

Jan 1, 2018

By Bruce Mathema, Steven Huynh, Terry Cheng, Gerry Gomez

"The use of PM40N, a specialty precious metals promoter in conjunction with a standard Xanthate based collector was extensively investigated in the flotation of a complex, silver-bearing, lead-zinc ore containing naturally occurring graphitic gangue. The ore, considered difficult to treat with conventional reagents, was tested at plant scale to determine the impact of the promoter on silver recovery, lead grade and also on the amount of zinc misplaced to the final lead concentrate.Initial laboratory-scale rougher flotation testing implied significant improvements in the recovery of silver and lead with a marginal amount of zinc displaced. Subsequent mini pilot flotation tests further revealed that a gain in selectivity and recovery could be achieved by adjusting PM40N promoter dosage and incorporating a cleaner flotation step, further improving rejection of sphalerite. Plant trials resulted in an improvement of 3% in Silver recovery coupled with a 2% increase in recovered lead whilst maintaining lead grade in the lead circuit.To date, the use of PM40N as a promoter has enabled the processing operation to significantly increase its plant economics. The partial replacement of the standard Xanthate based collector has also reduced the overall quantity of Xanthate required in the standard circuit by approximately 10% - which is a positive impact on the environment. It is envisaged that further optimization of plant parameters will favor stable operation and continue to boost revenues generated by subsequent improvements in silver metallurgy."

Jan 1, 2014

By M. Barsky, E. Barsky

It is generally accepted that the optimal flow velocity for gravity classification is the final particle settling velocity or, which is the same, the particle spin velocity. However, we have found differences between the settling velocities and the spin velocities of the very same particles. Here we present the results of experiments in a cascading gravitational classifier comprising eleven stages. The feed material was introduced at each stage successively, from the first to the eleventh. The optimal flow velocity was determined for each case. From these experiments it follows that the value of the optimal flow velocity depends to a greater extent on the point of introduction of the feed (i.e., on the design of the device) than it does on the interaction between the solid phase and the flow.

Jan 1, 2003

By Zhiyong Gao, Ruiying Fan

"Crushing and grinding are the prerequisite processes in many industries, such as minerals processing and powder technology. During crushing and grinding, minerals will cleave or fracture along the directions by broken the interlayer bonds (e.g., ionic bonds), generating some commonly exposed surfaces. The broken (or dangling) bonds at the generated surface makes the surface more active and determine the reactivity of the surface. In this work, the population of broken (or dangling) bonds on commonly exposed surfaces of fluorite mineral (a chosen model mineral) was calculated. Based on the calculated broken bonds information, the anisotropic surface reactivity of fluorite such as surface energy, surface relaxation, dissolution, wettability, surface charge and adsorbability, were discussed. The results show that the surface broken bonds density, which is positively related to the surface energy, can be used to predict the cleavage nature, surface relaxation degree and surface stability of fluorite crystal. The distribution characteristic and the number of broken (or unsaturated) bonds of surface active atoms (like Ca for fluorite crystal) can be used to predict and explain the anisotropic wettability, surface charge and adsorption mode and strength of organic molecules on different commonly exposed surfaces. It is easy to conclude that the calculation of surface broken bonds can serve as a fast and accurate way to start the mineral chemistry studies. These findings will be helpful to the mineral/material chemistry research in related interfacial science communities.INTRODUCTIONGrinding for mineral liberation is a prerequisite for a successful flotation separation. Also grinding for size reduction is a prior process for a favorable powder technology. During the grinding process, the minerals / materials will cleave and fracture along certain crystal directions with relatively weak interlayer chemical bonds1 to form a number of common exposed surfaces. Exposed surfaces are the outer boundary of a solid substance. In the mineral / material block, the bonding orbital of the atoms is filled with electrons and the atoms are in a steady state. Atoms on these exposed surfaces appear to show dangling bonds (or broken bonds) by losing chemical bonds to adjacent atoms in the previous block. Therefore, surface broken bonds serves as an initial property of a fresh surface. The lattice arrangement and crystal orientations causes differences in the number of dangling bonds on each exposed surface, i.e., anisotropic surface broken bonds2. The anisotropic dangling bonds enable the exposed surfaces to show varying degrees of surface reactivity (including surface energy, surface charge, surface relaxation, dissolution, wettability and adsorption behavior), known as anisotropic surface reactivity."

Jan 1, 2018

By A. Javadi

"Our recent studies revealed that the sulfide minerals in contact with water during grinding produced hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) where the amount of H2O2 production by the minerals found to be in the order of pyrite > chalcopyrite > sphalerite > galena. The H2O2 effect on the oxidation of pulp components and its influence on the concentrate grade and recovery in flotation have been studied and the results have been presented and discussed in this paper. Studies have also been carried out to build correlation between percentage of pyrite in the concentrate, grinding conditions and concentration of OH•/H2O2 in the pulp and as well of controlling the formation of these species through known chemical means for depressing the generation of the oxidant. Flotation tests using a complex sulfide ore with the same reagent scheme that is being used at Bama concentrator in Iran but with the addition i) Na2S reductant and ii) inorganic (EDTA) and organic (TETA) surface modifiers, during grinding stage have been performed to judge the beneficial or detrimental role of H2O2 on the selective flotation of sulfides. The results demonstrate that the selectivity of metal sulfides against pyrite increases with increasing generation of H2O2 in the pulp liquid.INTRODUCTIONOur recent studies have illustrated the formation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by metal-sulphides during grinding in the presence and absence of oxygen (Javadi Nooshabadi & Hanumantha Rao, 2013a; Javadi Nooshabadi & Hanumantha Rao, 2013b; Javadi Nooshabadi & Hanumantha Rao, 2013c; Javadi Nooshabadi & Hanumantha Rao, 2014). In the absence of oxygen, it was found that pyrite surface is catalytically active and able to breakdown water molecules to form OH• free radical and thereby deriving oxygen in the formation of H2O2 from water molecules. The in-situ formation of H2O2 and its influence on sulphide flotation has not been addressed yet. The presence of strong H2O2 oxidant in the pulp liquid and its selective oxidation of pyrite would be beneficial in depressing pyrite flotation. Therefore, it is important to build correlation between percentage of pyrite in the concentrate, grinding conditions and concentration of OH•/H2O2 in the pulp as well as to study possible ways of flexibly controlling the formation of these species through known chemical means for depressing the generation of the oxidant."

Jan 1, 2018

By Ljudmil S. Grigorov, Eric Forssberg, Hanumantha Rao Kota, Robert J. Pugh, Lidia B. Alexandrova

"The effects of mixed collectors on some physicochemical parameters (thin film lifetime, kinetics of expansion of the three-phase contact, equilibrium three-phase contact angle and surface tension) involved in the elementary act of flotation were investigated experimentally.We have used the microscopic thin balance developed by Scheludko et al (1970) to study the stability and interactions within the thin film between the silica surface and air bubble with (i) a long chain C10 amine and (ii) a cationic/anionic surfactant systems consisting of mixtures of a long straight C10 chain amine with long straight chain C8, C10 and C12 sulfonates at 1:1 molar ratio. The experiments were performed at a range of concentrations at pH 6.5. The equilibrium contact angle was measured with a microscope technique using the modified Mingins-Sheludko method (Mingins and Scheludko, 1979). The surface tension was measured by the method of Wilhelmy (Adamson, 1960). It was found that the mixed surfactants caused lower contact angles, lower rates of the thin film rupture and longer film lifetime, compared to the pure amine system."

Jan 1, 2003

By S. J. Neethling

"This paper examines the impact of several key variables on the performance of flotation cells. The study makes use of a simulator for the froth phase of the flotation vessel, as the main purpose of this study is to separate the impact of different variables from one another. In experiments it is very difficult to separate the effect of variables from one another as a change in a singe input parameter, such as air rate, invariably also affects many of the other key variables, such as bubble size and bubble bursting rates.In order to achieve this a base case simulation that is typical of many of the rougher cells found in sulphide flotation circuits was carried out. Four key variables, air rate, incoming bubble size, surface bubble size and the fraction of the bubbles flowing out of the cell unburst, were varied in order to obtain the system.s response.The most significant results were obtained when the bubble size was varied. An increase in the incoming bubble size has the effect of reducing the pulp zone recovery, but increases the froth zone recovery. If it were possible to vary the incoming bubble size without influencing the overflowing bubble size, the impact of the change would be unclear because of these two competing effects. The effect of a change in the overflowing bubble size has an opposite effect on the froth recovery, with larger bubbles resulting in lower froth recoveries.A final interesting result is that all the effects examined affect the process to a similar degree, which implies that none of these variables can be disregarded, either in industry or in further research."

Jan 1, 2003

By P. Oliveira, A. Peres, A. Silva

"The decrease in iron content and increase in contaminants grade, associated with greater participation of compact and semi-compact materials, has impacted the recovery of a mechanical cells flotation circuit in the Iron Quadrangle, Brazil. The recovery decrease in the flotation stage motivated the current conventional flotation circuit reevaluation seeking alternatives to restore the recovery, without affecting the final concentrate quality parameters, with low investment. Sampling, chemical characterization of samples, bench scale flotation experiments, and mass balances were conducted. Analysis of the results showed opportunities to improve the circuit performance. The stages prior to the flotation circuit changes were: rougher, cleaner, recleaner and scavenger. In the previous configuration, recleaner was operated as cleaner scavenger and the iron grade in the scavenger concentrate was 23%, representing 38% of the new feed. After the circuit change, the circulating load was reduced from 38% to 15% and the iron content was upgraded to 42%, resulting in increased residence time. The iron content in the global tailings of the concentrator was decreased from 10.9% (year of 2013 average) to 10.2%, representing gains in both mass and metallurgical recoveries.INTRODUCTIONRegarding plant practice, the year 1972 represents a landmark for the concentration of iron ores in Brazil. VALE started up 28 units of WHIMS (wet high intensity magnetic separators) at the Cauê plant in Itabira, each one producing 1x106 t/year of concentrate. Later 17 WHIMS machines were commissioned at Conceição. During the 80’s decade of last century, changes in the ROM required the addition of a cleaner flotation stage to decrease the silica content in the pellet feed.The first company to use reverse cationic flotation as the only concentration operation of iron ore was SAMARCO (start up in 1977). Since 2015 flotation has been utilized at VALE in Itabira as major concentration process, magnetic separation acting as scavenger stage.The Jones matrix type WHIMS were manufactured for decades under patent by KHD Humboldt Wedag. After the expiration of the Jones patent, Eriez Magnetics took the world leadership regarding WHIMS manufacturing. The Brazilian branch of Eriez is Inbras. Based on plant practice experience at the Fabrica concentrator, the Brazilian company Gaustec was established (RIBEIRO and RIBEIRO, 2010) and is now present in different countries. The mega sized WHIMS GHX-1400 (18.000 Gauss, gaps smaller than 1.5 mm) were developed to face the challenge of huge throughput required by iron ore processing (Ribeiro et al, 2017)."

Jan 1, 2018

By G. Mucsi, F. Kristály, Á. Rácz, É. Gregus, K. Bohács

"Stirred media mills are widely used in the industry for fine grinding. Most of the applications work in wet mode, however dry grinding in stirred media mill comes forward more frequently nowadays. The present paper deals with the differences and similarities of the wet and dry grinding in stirred media mill from energetic and mechanochemical point of view as well. Grinding experiments in batch stirred media mill were carried out with different materials. During the experiments zeolite and kaolin were used as feed material. The grinding experiments were carried out at different stress energy and stress number values; the grinding work was measured during milling. After grinding X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), particles size analyzes by laser scattering were carried out on the ground materials. As a result of the systematic grinding and analytical measurements a comprehensive comparison was carried out on the wet and dry grinding and their usefulness for mechanical activation in stirred media mill. INTRODUCTION The natural zeolites are crystalline hydrated aluminosilicates of alkali and alkaline earth characterized by the structure that contains frameworks responsible for the high cation exchange capacity (CEC) and absorption capacity. The frameworks are interconnected by cavities and resided by cations variable in size, coordinated by water molecules. Since zeolite comprises SiO4 and AlO4 tetrahedra interlocked by oxygen atoms that are situated in the structural nodes, their characteristics differ due to the varieties in the structure-directing agents and Si/Al ratio (Colella and Wise, 2014; Malekian et al., 2011; Terzic et al., 2017). The most common natural zeolite occurring in high amount, of industrial importance and involved in milling and MA is the clinoptilolite, in the literature equivalent to “natural zeolite” designated for high clinoptilolite bearing volcanic tuffs. Its amount in the host rock must reach ~ 40 % by weight to obtain the CEC and adsorption desired in its applications. In the highest quality rock might reach 80-90 % by weight (Favvas et al., 2016), but most often is the 40-60 % by weight content, associated with smectites, improving the CEC and adsorption of the tuffaceous rock. The application of such natural zeolites is problematic in many cases due to high silica (quartz, cristobalite and volcanic glass) content and beneficiation (concentration and extraction of pure zeolite) are not feasible. Thus, mechanical activation is a possible way to alter the other than clinoptilolite minerals generating high specific surface area and functionalized particle surfaces to enhance adsorption, reaction or particle adhesion. The zeolites easy availability and the utilization cost-effectiveness have prompted the research on their physicochemical and structural properties (e.g. adsorptive and molecular-sieve activity, heat resistance, and microporous cage structure) and finding new options for their application (Kusuma et al., 2013; Musyoka et al., 2014; Rida et al., 2013; Terzic et al., 2015b). Apart from the presence of exchangeable framework cations which are crucial for the adsorption ability, and a certain degree of pozzolanic reactivity. The thermal stability of dehydrated phases is another important characteristic for use of the zeolite in composite materials that are exposed to high temperature. Thereby, the zeolites found a wide application possibility in the design of the construction composites (Albayrak et al., 2007; Najimi et al., 2012; Vejmelková et al., 2015), as well as for resolving of the environmental protection issues like wastewater refining or heavy metal elimination (Gómez-Hortigüela et al., 2014) even from contaminated groundwater using passive methods like permeable reactive barriers (Gombköto et al, 2016). The grinding treatment of zeolite is a common and frequently applied procedure, both on laboratory (Bohács et al. 2017, Faitli and Czél, 2014)"

Jan 1, 2018

By Mahdi Shevrini, Hamed Haghi

"In this research, the operation of screen classifying in silica processing circuits was investigated and modified by replacement of available trommel screens with teetered bed separator (TBS). In addition the effect of the mentioned replacement and addition of attrition scrubber on quality of final product, impurities removal, recovery and production rate were inspected. Considering screen efficiency problems to achieve certain particle size distribution, hydraulic classifying system was selected instead of trommel screens. Application of suggested plan improved quality and particle size distribution of produced silica significantly. Optimization of size classification in process circuit resulted in increase in production rate up to 21% (from 67% to 81%), silica recovery (from 68.35% up to 83.11%) and relative enhancement in removal of impurities such as Fe2O3 and TiO2. After optimization and stabilization of grinding and size classification section, industrial attrition scrubbing tests were carried out and the best solid percent and retention time were determined i.e. 70% and 6 minutes, respectively. Using sodium carbonate during attrition scrubbing, has major effect on removal of surface coating and staining especially sharp increase in clay removal; therefore 2 kg/t of sodium carbonate can be optimistic point of industrial procedure for this silica processing plant. It should be mentioned that application of attrition scrubbing which is followed by screw classifier for de-sliming were useful for better cumulating of particles in the range of appropriate liberation degree (+106-300µm) and efficient removal of metallic (iron and titanium oxides) and non-metallic (clays and feldspars) impurities."

Jan 1, 2014

By Chuanyao Sun, Longli Liu, Fayu He, Guiye Wu

Utilizing thioglycolic acid (TGA) as a template and using structure-guided design, a molecular modelling approach has been used to design and screen appropriate dispersant for chalcopyrite. A series of organic dispersants based on a TGA substitution with hydroxyl and amino and sulfonic functional groups have been examined on chalcopyrite surface. 20 organic depressors of chalcopyrite have been investigated to study the quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) of chalcopyrite depressors. For the chalcopyrite surface, depressor containing carboxyl and sulfonic group is generally stronger than the depressor containing hydroxyl group. Increasing the number of hydrophilic group can effectively enhance the inhibition. Increasing the number of Solidophilic group does not necessarily lead to enhanced inhibition ability; steric factor is one of the important factors to affect the interaction. Extension alkyl carbon chain length cannot enhance the interaction of depressors. Isomers principle as well as applies to the chalcopyrite depressor molecular design. Flotation verification tests further confirmes the accuracy of the molecular simulation. Through the Computer Aided Molecular Design (CAMD) technology, we can save enormous time and resources to design novel surfactants. This research and application will play a great significance role in sulfide flotation.

Jan 1, 2014

By A. V. Byvaltsev

Adsorption of cyanide complexes of gold, silver, copper, mercury, nickel, cobalt, iron, zinc and cadmium has been studied. Adsorption isotherms of the mentioned metals from individual solutions for different free cyanide concentrations have been obtained. Values of the constants of Freundlich isotherm equation have been calculated. Metal cyanide complexes affinity to activated carbon was determined.

Jan 1, 2014

By Kwan Ho Kim

The beneficiation study of low quality pyrophyllite is conducted to enhance the value of it by selective grinding. In mining stage, the main gangue mineral is quartz, and the content of quartz in ore has an adverse effect on the quality of pyrophyllite. Using the huge difference in hardness between quartz and pyrophyllite, the selective grinding is accomplished using stirred ball mill. As a result, a finer pyrophyllite particle can be easily separated from coarser quartz particle by simple size classification, and the content of Al2O3 of fine particle smaller than 45um increased largely. It means that the pyrophyllite particle is ground selectively compared to the quartz particle, and the quality of pyrophyllite is enhanced.

Sep 1, 2012

By Stoyan Groudev

Two experimental plots consisting of a slightly acidic soil heavily contaminated with radionuclides (mainly uranium and radium) and non-ferrous metals (mainly copper, zinc, and cadmium) were treated in situ under real field conditions using the activity of some representatives of the indigenous soil microflora. This activity was enhanced by suitable changes in the levels of some essential environmental factors such as pH and water, oxygen and nutrient contents of the soil. The treatment was connected with solubilization and removal of the contaminants from the top soil layer (horizon A) due to the joint action of the soil microorganisms (mainly acidophilic chemolithotrophic bacteria) and leach solutions (diluted sulphuric acid) used to irrigate the soil. In one of the plots, the dissolved contaminants were removed from the soil profile through the drainage soil effluents and were subjected to cleaning by a constructed wetland located near this plot. In the other plot, the dissolved contaminants were transferred to the deeply located soil subhorizon B2 where they were precipitated as the relevant insoluble forms (uranium as uraninite, and the non-ferrous metals as the relevant sulphides) as a result of the activity of the sulphate-reducing bacteria inhabiting this soil subhorizon. This activity was enhanced by injecting water solutions of acetate, lactate, ammonium, and phosphate ions to this soil subhorizon.

Sep 1, 2012

By Kym Runge, Wei Huang, Fengnian Shi, Christian Antonio

"This paper presents an emerging High Voltage Pulse (HVP) technology for ore pre-treatment. Unlike previous studies where HVP was utilized as a crusher to pulverize ore particles to micron size ranges for downstream processing, the researchers at the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC) use HVP to enhance ore processability. Application of relatively low levels of HVP energy to selectively break mineralized particles from barren rocks, followed by size-based screening separation enables the feed ore to be split into high grade and low grade products. During HVP treatment, cracks/micro-cracks are generated which results in pre-weakening of the treated ore particles, which ultimately results in energy savings in the downstream comminution processes. HVP treatment followed by conventional grinding also results in improved liberation of the valuable minerals in comparison to that achieved with traditional conventional comminution, subsequently improving downstream separation efficiencies. The three major improvements in ore processability through HVP pre-treatment have the potential to facilitate rejection of low grade ore prior to processing, increase production rates, reduce the energy required for comminution and improve flotation separation recoveries. This paper summarizes the major research outcomes of HVP pre-treatment demonstrated using ores from various mining operations conducted by the JKMRC. It also discusses the barriers that must be overcome before it can be adopted by industry with confidence in a continuous high tonnage rate application.INTRODUCTIONThe challenges of declining ore grades and increased plant throughput rates, resulting in higher energy consumption and operational costs, require the mining industry to adopt new technologies to make future ore treatment economically viable. Over the past 50 years, many researchers have engaged in investigating novel comminution techniques. Since Yutkin (1955) first demonstrated the potential to generate shock waves with pressures exceeding 103 MPa via electrical breakdown of water, several applications of electrohydraulic crushing by shock waves have been reported (Curley-Macauly, 1968). Interest in this technique was bolstered when Andres (1977) demonstrated that electrodynamic fragmentation results in superior liberation of mineral grains as compared with conventional grinding techniques. Despite mounting laboratory-scale evidence of the efficacy of electrodynamic fragmentation for mineral liberation, development of the technology for full-scale operation has stalled, primarily because the energy required to achieve desirable mineral liberation is approximately two to three times that of mechanical comminution, amounting to approximately 100 kWh/t for typical mineral ores (Andres et al., 2002)."

Jan 1, 2018

By Liu Fan, Shang Yanbo, Wang Zhongming

"Besides valuable metals of Cu, Sn, WO3, Zn, there are S, Ag, CaF2, In and so on in a complex ore deposit in south China (which belongs to Hu Nan Shizhuyuan Non-ferrous Metal Limited Liability). Although it proved reserve amounts to 3.5×107 ton, its crystal character limits its utilization in large-scale. It features complex relationships between valuable minerals, finest crystallized particle size, low-graded valuable metals (Cu 0.30%, Zn 0.5-0.7%, Sn 0.2%, W<0.1%). If only tungsten minerals are considered, it means WO3 grade is too low (the cut-off grade of WO3 is 0.1% in China). Only Cu and Sn minerals are recovered from 2006 and Cu recovery is less than 70%, Sn 15-20%. Other valuable metals of W, Zn, S and CaF2 were lost in the tailings. To make good use of the ore, the technology of fully recovering Cu, Sn, W, Zn, CaF2 and rare metals are in urgent need. After systematic researches, the flow sheet of "bulk flotation of Cu-Zn minerals at first, then Cu-Zn separation, then recovering sulphide by flotation, then recovering iron minerals by magnetic separation, then bulk flotation of Sn-W minerals after desliming" is developed. Furthermore, specific Sn-W collectors of BK411 and BK412 are applied into the processes and better indexes are obtained. The industrial indexes are listed as followings: the content of Cu, Zn, Sn, WO3 of ROM ore is 0.31%, 0.65%, 0.13%, 0.03%; Cu and Zn recovery are 82.23% and 37.79% respectively; 63.76% of Sn and 34.34% of WO3 go into the Sn-W bulk concentrates. Economic benefits are remarkable."

Jan 1, 2014

By Alex Joseph

A tertiary amine containing polyamine in its back bone was grafted to exfoliated graphite oxide by means of a series of chemical reactions.The synthesized amine functionalized polyaniline grafted to exfoliated graphite oxide (EGAMPANI) was characterized using various techniques such as, FTIR, TGA, Raman, and X-Ray diffraction.The synthesized EGAMPANI was blended with carbon paste electrode, and used to study the response of Hg2+ in acetate buffer solution.Preliminary analysis showed that the anodic current intensity using the EGAMPANI modified electrode was higher during a potential sweep and 10-4 M concentration of mercury could be detected which could be improved to 10-6 M using anodic stripping voltammetric technique. Keywords: metal sensor, exfoliated graphite oxide, functionalization, polyaniline

Sep 1, 2012

By H. Tiefel, M. Schneider, T. Neesse, J. Regler, J. Dueck, F. Donhauser

In practice the advantages of high-quality hydrocyclone separation are often reduced due to varying feed suspension properties, solids concentrations and particle size distributions. Control systems of large hydrocyclones are usually fitted with controllable underflow nozzles, which is not practical for small hydrocyclone batteries. Therefore, a new control system for a battery of hydrocyclones with a nominal diameter of 150 mm was invented at the LUR in cooperation with AKW Apparate und Verfahren GmbH & Co. KG. This process was developed for bentonite slurry regeneration associated with tunnel excavation using bentonite slurry as a transport aid and lubricant.

Jan 1, 2003

By Leming Ou, Qiming Feng, Yiping Lu, Pengyu Zhang, Qing Shi, Kun Liu, Guofan Zhang

"This paper introduces the mineralogical analysis of certain polymetallic copper-zinc ore in China with the aim of improving the flotation process. The main valuable elements, mineral phases and compositions of run-of-mine ore were inspected by the X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and chemical analysis. For a deep known of the old process defects, Mineral Liberation Analysis system (MLAs) was employed to investigate the minerals liberation degree of selected key slurry points. Analysis results show that the run-of-mine ore belongs to the original copper-zinc polymetallic symbiotic ore at low oxidative level, which mainly contains 0.16% Cu, 4.43% Zn and 0.88% Sn. Gangue minerals are mainly silicate minerals, and zinc mineral is sphalerite. MLAs test illustrates that about 86% sphalerite has been dissociated in zinc flotation feed. In the current flotation process, over grinding of sphalerite monomer and insufficient liberation of intergrowths are the key problems need to be solved imminently. Up to this point, a new process consisted of two steps roughing unit is submitted in this research. It contributes two positive effects on zinc flotation performance: (i) separating sphalerite monomer timely to decrease overgrinding; (ii) improving zinc minerals intergrowths liberation efficiency. Flotation results indicate that the zinc concentrate grade increased 0.90% and the recovery improved 0.96% in the new flotation processINTRODUCTION Mineralogical analysis mainly focusses on solving mineralogy problems in minerals processing, assisting in minerals behaviors prediction and control for separation engineering (Falkovich, et al., 2001; Hillier, et al., 2003; Schouwstra and Smit, 2011). Process defects searching becomes its ordinary work, and flotation optimization appears to be its targets gradually. For example, Lucky Friday mine company (Idaho America) fails to obtain qualified lead concentrate as the change of ore properties (Nadoll, et al., 2011). Mineralogical analysis ascertains that there are too many dissociated sphalerite, pyrite and gangue particles exist in lead concentrate. According to this, more cleaning units are added to solve problems effectively. Kanowna Belle mine (Australia) takes a flash circuit in operation successfully with the aim of optimize flotation process, under the helps of mineralogical analysis and industrial test (Newcombe, et al., 2013). Lotter N.O. (2011) gives a deep description on how mineralogical data assisting mineral processing engineers to design and optimize flowsheet. For decades, quantitative and automated mineralogy techniques (Andersen, et al., 2009; Gu, et al., 2012; Oghazi, et al., 2009; Yu, et al., 2007) get well developed and hugely improve the veracity and repeatability of minerals properties measurement. Among these, MLAs (Gu, 2003) provided by JKMRC (Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Center) is critically acclaimed all over the world. This analysis system can measure mineral phases composition and content, particles size, minerals occurrence and liberation degree directly."

Jan 1, 2018

By Shibayama A.

In this research, an investigation of a process to selectively remove arsenic (As) and antimony (Sb) contained in enargite (Cu3AsS4) and tennantite/tetrahedrite ((Cu1,Fe)12(As,Sb)4S13) copper resources by leaching and precipitation were performed. First in the leaching process, the target was to selectively leach As/Sb and reduce their contents in the ores to <0.5 wt% followed by a second process to remove As/Sb dissolved in solution for environmental control. Enargite ore contained 3.65 wt% As while tennantite/tetrahedrite ore contained 5.40 wt% As and 4.85 wt% Sb. Alkaline leaching using NaHS?NaOH media at varying experimental conditions (temperature, pulp density, time, reagent concentrations) were performed to investigate the process. As/Sb precipitation studies were also performed to control high As/Sb concentrations in leach solutions by using elemental sulphur (So). Results from leaching studies showed that over 99% of As/Sb in the impure copper ores can be removed and their contents in the final solids reduced to <0.5 wt%. It was also established that such very high leaching could be achieved at 80°C within 1?6 h and pulp densities as high as 1000 g/L. The study also revealed that leach solution containing very high As/Sb concentration ranging from 5 to 20 g/L can be used as fresh solution for leaching of fresh ores until concentrations exceeding 35 g/L when it was sent to precipitation circuit for As/Sb removal. Addition of elemental sulphur at 90°C and fast cooling to 30°C allowed over 60% As/Sb precipitation and removed as Na3AsS4 and solution with reduced As/Sb concentration to leaching circuit for continuous use. Keywords: Enargite; Tennantite/Tetrahedrite; Selective Leaching; Precipitation; Sodium hydrosulfide;

Sep 1, 2012