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By Sydney Mantsho, Toni Streczynski, Manuel Gonzalez

"In 2013, the commissioning of the MillStar Stabilisation and FloatStar Stabilisation and Optimisation controllers were completed at the Cerro Bayo Silver (Ag) mine in Patagonia, Chile. The MillStar control system has stabilised the feed to the SAG mill as well as the density at the discharge end of the SAG mill and ball mill. The FloatStar Stabilisation and Optimisation controllers have successfully stabilised and optimised the flotation circuit to ensure consistent product quality within desired specifications.The mill feed is controlled utilising the MillStar Solids Feed controller. Additionally, the solids to liquid ratio into the SAG mill was controlled utilising the Mill Inlet Ratio controller in conjunction with the Solids Feed controller. The discharge end of the milling process is a highly interactive and complex system. The use of a Robust Nonlinear Model Predicative Controller (RNMPC) was ideally suited to control this section of the process. On the Cerro Bayo milling circuit, the RNMPC was used to control the mill discharge sump level and the primary cyclone feed density to produce a more consistent feed to the flotation circuit.Three levels of the FloatStar control system were installed, for flotation stability, concentrate flow stability as well as grade optimisation. The Level Stabiliser was used to stabilise the level control on 6 flotation banks. The Flow Optimiser was commissioned on the Rougher, Scavenger and Cleaner concentrate sumps to stabilise concentrate flow from the flotation cells. The Grade Recovery Optimiser was commissioned on the Roughers section. A number of instrumentation challenges were identified which limited the overall benefit derived from the system. Once these were addressed, the performance was optimised. The overall benefit provided by the system was observed in terms of the improvements in Ag recovery."

Jan 1, 2014

By D. Berman, A. Brodt

"Delivery of all volume of mined mass on the terrestrial surface results not only in irrational power expenses on moving of huge volumes of dead rock as a part of initial raw materials (especially vertically) on long distances, but also necessities of storing tailings in open-air. Thus, in bowels of earth, huge volumes of the developed space are formed. However, the nature doesn't suffer emptiness. As consequence, through the process of underground mining works, in earth bowels starts intensive development of rocks dislocation processes involving subsidence of terrestrial surface, and with it, begins irreparable damage every objects which are on that territory. Highly effective new methods of underground concentration of the various minerals, which deliveries of only target component on terrestrial surface integrally connected with transport process in stream and subsequent deliveries to destination in continuous mode by the long distance hydrotransport, allow not only to eliminate a construction of concentrating factories on the surface, but also storing of tailings of concentration process on open-air preventing dislocation of rocks, thanks to operative placing tails in the underground developed space. Surely, the main problem in the development of such gravity dressing technology is the problem of finding the optimal formula for the heavy liquid that will fill such system in close connection with the procedure of its full regeneration. The requirements for such liquid are being non-toxic and cheap. This question was solved successfully."

Jan 1, 2014

By K. Yoo

Cuprous oxide is one of the oldest antifouling agents and also acts as red pigment in these paints. In printed circuit board manufacturing industries, waste etchant contains a substantial amount of copper ion. In the present study, a process was suggested for recovering cuprous oxides from the waste etchant and optimum conditions were investigated to recover the cuprous oxides. The process consists of two steps: in first step, Cu powder is added into wastewater solution, and cupric ions re-duce into cuprous ions (Cu+Cu2+?2Cu+), where cuprous ions precipitate as cuprous chloride; In second step, cuprous oxide is synthesized by adding NaOH into cuprous chloride solution (2CuCl+2NaOH?Cu2O+NaCl+H2O). Optimum conditions were investigated to recover cuprous oxide in the processes. When copper powder was added into wastewater with copper ions, Cu concentration decreased from 15.6% to 2.6% and ORP decreased from 620 mV to -59.9 mV. This result shows that cupric ions reduced into cuprous ions. XRD data indicated that the precipitate was cuprous chloride powder. Using the cuprous chloride recovered and NaOH solution, cuprous oxide was synthesized. To investigate the optimum condition, various NaOH solutions were added into water with CuCl, and then pH, ORP, Cu concentration, Cu contents in precipitates were analysed. XRD data showed that main component of precipitates was cuprous oxide.

Jan 1, 2014

By E. Guerrini, M. Maccagni, J. Nielsen

"The solution for the treatment of the EAFD has not yet been fully achieved. Some of this dust has still not found an appropriate final destination. Large consortium treatment plants are quite expensive both in terms of investment and operating cost. Meanwhile, the tolling expenses for steel production companies are becoming very important, causing them to look for alternatives. Some steel plants are looking to close their production loop by internal treatment of their dust. Some years ago, Engitec began studying the coupling of the EZINEX® Process, an ammonium chloride electrolysis to recover the zinc contained in the EAFD, with the INDUTEC® Process, a pyro process based on an induction furnace that can convert EAFD into a C.Z.O. similar to the Waelz oxide. The combination of these two processes provides an alternative to the existing treatment options and is particularly interesting for relatively small capacities. In this paper, we would like to give the latest update about these two processes and their possible integration INTRODUCTION Zinc is contained in numerous wastes and secondary raw materials that can be thought of as high zinc concentrate mines. This is a very interesting source of Zn that is typically easily exploitable. Unfortunately, only a portion of these materials are currently processed to recover the metal value, while stabilized or unstabilized landfilling is often the final destination. Pyrometallurgical processes are mainly used to convert the zinc into crude zinc oxide (CZO). The various processes are very similar and characterized by the fact that the zinc bearing materials are usually submitted to a thermal treatment [1] in which the zinc is reduced, vaporized and re-oxidized producing CZO. This material not only contains zinc oxide, but also relatively high concentrations of heavy metals. Many potential CZO sources, such as electric arc furnace dust (EAF), galvanizing ashes, brass foundry and converters fumes also contain chlorides, fluorides and alkali metals that will transfer to the CZO. The classic example is the Waelz oxide [2]. This CZO is an intermediate product that must be transformed into zinc salts or zinc metal. Until now, the conversion to zinc metal is done through two main processes: the sulphate leaching and electrowinning system and the Imperial Smelting Process (ISP). ISP is facing a crisis for technical and economic reasons that has led to the closing of most of the existing plants. In any case, before being fed to one of these two processes, the CZO must be treated to eliminate or reduce some of the contained impurities. In particular, the halides are most harmful to these processes."

Jan 1, 2018

By E. Guerrini, M. Maccagni, J. Nielsen

"The solution for the treatment of the EAFD has not yet been fully achieved. Some of this dust has still not found an appropriate final destination. Large consortium treatment plants are quite expensive both in terms of investment and operating cost. Meanwhile, the tolling expenses for steel production companies are becoming very important, causing them to look for alternatives. Some steel plants are looking to close their production loop by internal treatment of their dust. Some years ago, Engitec began studying the coupling of the EZINEX® Process, an ammonium chloride electrolysis to recover the zinc contained in the EAFD, with the INDUTEC® Process, a pyro process based on an induction furnace that can convert EAFD into a C.Z.O. similar to the Waelz oxide. The combination of these two processes provides an alternative to the existing treatment options and is particularly interesting for relatively small capacities. In this paper, we would like to give the latest update about these two processes and their possible integration INTRODUCTION Zinc is contained in numerous wastes and secondary raw materials that can be thought of as high zinc concentrate mines. This is a very interesting source of Zn that is typically easily exploitable. Unfortunately, only a portion of these materials are currently processed to recover the metal value, while stabilized or unstabilized landfilling is often the final destination. Pyrometallurgical processes are mainly used to convert the zinc into crude zinc oxide (CZO). The various processes are very similar and characterized by the fact that the zinc bearing materials are usually submitted to a thermal treatment [1] in which the zinc is reduced, vaporized and re-oxidized producing CZO. This material not only contains zinc oxide, but also relatively high concentrations of heavy metals. Many potential CZO sources, such as electric arc furnace dust (EAF), galvanizing ashes, brass foundry and converters fumes also contain chlorides, fluorides and alkali metals that will transfer to the CZO. The classic example is the Waelz oxide [2]. This CZO is an intermediate product that must be transformed into zinc salts or zinc metal. Until now, the conversion to zinc metal is done through two main processes: the sulphate leaching and electrowinning system and the Imperial Smelting Process (ISP). ISP is facing a crisis for technical and economic reasons that has led to the closing of most of the existing plants. In any case, before being fed to one of these two processes, the CZO must be treated to eliminate or reduce some of the contained impurities. In particular, the halides are most harmful to these processes."

Jan 1, 2018

By Gianni Shena, Francesco Montanari

"Recent improvements in the resolution of X-ray computed tomography (CT) make it a promising alternative to traditional time consuming, error prone laboratory procedures for mineral liberation analysis, such as heavy liquid fractioning and measurements on polished sections. All indications are that in a few years CT will be well-established in many laboratories as a rapid technique for accurate liberation studies. In this scenario it would be able to provide liberation spectra or washability data in tens of minutes following sampling. However, although CT is a fast evolving technology, its on-line application is unlikely in the foreseeable future.Dual-energy (DE) radiography is another X-ray technique originating from non-destructive evaluation (NDE) and medical fields, which allows retrieval of the volumetric content of valuable components from two-phase particles in a fraction of second. Two radiographic images at different X-ray energies of a single particle or a monolayer of particles are taken in short time sequence. The thickness of the two phases is calculated particle by particle by image subtraction, whereupon particle grades can be derived. The development of the method for on-line applications requires the presentation of non-overlapping particles in the gap in the X-ray source detector measurement couple. Straightforward extension of the principle to multiphase systems is not possible. The paper reviews the state of the art of these two techniques as applied to mineral liberation problems."

Jan 1, 2003

By Jing Zhou

2-hydroxy-3-naphthoy hydroxamic acid code name F203 is a good collector of cassiterite, 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoy hydroxamic acid code name ZJ-3. F203 and ZJ-3 are similar series of isomers. They have similar naphthye, and similar series of functional OH and ?CONHOH, but the seat of OH and ?CONHOH group are different, on the F203 is 2.3; on the ZJ-3 is 1.2, ortho position too. According to Isomeric principle ZJ-3 is a good collector of cassiterite slime too. Using ZJ-3 as collector flotation -10µm occupies 90%, grade 1.16% Sn cassiterite slime of Da Chang Chehe concentration plant, pass one coursing flotation, two cleaning and one scarenging flotation, and obtains grand 18.26% Sn, recovery 92.68% cassiterite concentrate. The result proves the Isomeric principle of flotation reagents is correct again. This principle may supply to synthetize new flotation reagents reference. Keywords: F2O3, ZJ-3, cassiterite flotation, Isomeric principle, Isomeric principle of flotation reagents

Sep 1, 2012

By Matthew Thurley

Optimisation and control of comminution, pelletization, and agglomeration processes is a complex task with large potential for gains in productivity, energy efficiency, and particle size distribution quality. One factor in realising these gains is the requirement for fully-automated online particle size distribution measurement. Moreover, online particle size distribution measurement that is based on the particles on the visible surface and can avoid or mitigate substantial errors that result from under-sizing overlapped particles and over-sizing areas of fines particles. Literature review indicates a body of substantially 2D photographic based particle size measurement systems that suffer from a large number of significant errors except in the simplest case of a monolayer of particles under good illumination with limited color variation in the material. In order to measure the visible particles on a pile there are a number of requirements including; avoiding particle delineation errors due to variation in material color and shadows, detect overlapping versus non-overlapping particles, and identify areas of fine particles as fines and not large rocks. Results are presented using a fully-automated online measurement system of crushed rock on conveyor belt using a 3D surface laser profile. The system provides continuous online measurement and results are shown on over four hours of production after the primary crusher. Size distribution results are calculated using volumetric estimation of the particles on the surface of the pile. The results show a strong capability to discriminate size variation especially in the 10% and 20% passing values. Furthermore results show that if areas of fines are misclassified as large rocks, and overlapped particles misclassified as small rocks, then a near complete loss of discrimination occurs for the P10 and P20 values which become largely constant values.

Jan 1, 2014

By V. V. Lvov, L. S. Chitalov

"The purpose of the research is intensification of physico-mechanical ore properties determination for ball grinding processes in comminution circuits. The research presents comparative studies aimed at intensification of Bond Ball Mill Work Index (BWi) determination, such as testing technique of Ahmadi and Shahsavari, Berry and Bruse, Gharehgheshlagh, Horst and Bassarear, Kapur, Magdalinovich. The subject of the research is a test procedure of apatite-nepheline, copper-nickel, gold-sulfide and iron ores for the Bond ball mill index. The Bond Ball Mill Work Index for the material firstly was determined by standard Bond test methodology. Two the most promising testing techniques - Ahmadi and Kapur testing techniques - were modified. For the Ahmadi technique it was proposed to pay attention to the circulating load, which should be stabilized on the value of 250% as fast as possible. Two methods were put forward to quicker stabilize the circulating load. For the Kapur technique it was proposed to use empirical coefficients, which is determined especially for the apatite-nepheline, copper-nickel, gold-sulfide and ores. The modified Ahmadi and Kapur techniques require no more than two cycles of ball grinding to determine BWi (while normally 6-8 cycles are required) and less than 5 kg of initial feed. The suggested modified Ahmadi and Kapur techniques allow to intensify the physico-mechanical ore properties determination for ball grinding processes and BWi test costs considerably, which makes them useful for mass sampling and monitoring strength properties of ores entering a concentrating mill. INTRODUCTION When designing concentrating mills, the choice of the technological scheme for ore pretreatment, particularly the type, quantity and size of the main process environment, the determination of optimal grinding conditions and the calculation of equipment load are carried out by preliminary studies of grinding in semi-industrial or laboratory-scale plants. Semi-industrial tests on full-scale plants provide the most reliable information for calculating specific loads for equipment. However, this requires a significant amount of ore samples, a high labor costs and the pilot plants. Thence the most researchers performed grinding tests with small laboratory equipment using small ore samples."

Jan 1, 2018

By E. Guerrini, M. Maccagni, J. Nielsen

"Lead is the most important material able to meet the current demand for energy storage. The lead acid battery is reliable, efficient and inexpensive. Continuous developments in battery construction are providing improvements in all aspects of the batteries’ performance. The lead acid battery is both the main lead product and the main raw material for lead production. More than half of the lead produced is from secondary smelters where batteries are the most important feed material. The environmental pressure on lead production has been increasing for many years, and continues to become stronger and stronger. The lead production processes and technologies themselves will require updating to meet the new regulations. Although they are very strict now, they will become even more so and current technologies may not be sufficient. Because recyclability is a strong point for the lead acid battery, the secondary smelters need to reduce the environmental impact as much as possible. In recent years, the secondary smelters underwent impressive changes in this direction, but some more improvements are possible. Electrochemistry can offer a step change improvement in making secondary lead production more environmentally friendly. Engitec has developed an electrochemical process base on a very high current density (high productivity) cell using an inexpensive electrolyte and at a relatively low cost. In this paper, the latest update on the technology is provided. INTRODUCTION The lead acid battery is considered the “walking dead” by some new technologies trying to replace it. It has played and will continue to play a very important role in our lives because it is inexpensive, fully recyclable and the existing lead and the mine reserves guaranty enough material for the extended future. According to the life cycle, the lead acid battery is the cheapest and the most effective system to store energy. Lead is practically a close loop where lead battery production consumes more than 80 % of the produced lead but contemporarily it is the most important raw material for the production of metallic lead. In fact, nowadays, the secondary production has overcome primary production and this trend is expected to continue. Primary lead is the make-up material for the existing battery production and the source of lead for the construction of the new ones."

Jan 1, 2018

By Bisweswar Das, Barada Mishra, Hrushikesh Sahoo, Swagat Rath

Banded hematite jasper (BHJ) containing 45.2% Fe, 32.64% SiO2, 0.63 % Al2O3 and 1.25 % LOI is found difficult to beneficiate either by magnetic or flotation techniques due to fine intergrowth of jasper with hematite. Phase transformation by reduction roasting with activated charcoal followed by low intensity magnetic separation to achieve a suitable iron concentrate has been attempted in this study. The mineralogy of the ore and different roasted products has been studied by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) to understand the reduction mechanism. The magnetite formation is observed at 850ºC while metallic iron appeared at a higher temperature. The effects of reduction variables such as reduction time (30-270 min), temperature (750-1050ºC), and reductant (1-12 %) using activated charcoal are studied. An iron concentrate with 64.65% Fe and 55.8% recovery could be obtained under optimum conditions of temperature: 850ºC, time: 1.5 h, and reductant: 6% by weight.

Jan 1, 2014

By Yury V. Kulikov, Rakan Rahbani, Arkady Y. Senchenko

"The relevancy of complex minerals treatment is constantly increasing taking into account mineral resources depletion. Different refractory ores and concentrates, oxidized and polymetallic ores, as well as metallurgical products (slags) can be assigned to such mineral type. The treatment of such products via conventional flowsheets requires considerable capital and operational costs and does not always provide high recovery level of valuable components into a saleable product. Therefore, considerable amount of ores and metallurgical products are not treated, or treated inefficiently. One of the most promising approaches that allows economic treatment of refractory products is their ultrafine grinding down to 5-20 µm with subsequent processing or hydrometallurgy. Horizontal bead mills - the IsaMillTM, developed by Xstrata Technology, received their wide application in mining industry. Standard testing is performed under laboratory conditions in an M4 IsaMillTM (volume - 4 liters) to define the parameters of fine grinding. This mill completely simulates the operation of full scale industrial mills up to 50 m3 in volume (up to 8000 kW motor). The paper describes fine grinding technology performed in bead mills, and the importance of testing according to a certified method for industrial equipment selection. The paper contains description of promising directions of fine grinding technology application for several projects in Russia and Kazakhstan."

Jan 1, 2014

According to the Darcy?s law, filtration rate should increase with increasing pressure drop (?P) across a filter cake. In centrifugal filtration, ?P is created by the free water present on the surface of a filter cake. Thus, ?P can become negative when the free water disappears from the cake surface, which makes it difficult to achieve low cake moistures. In the present work, we have developed methods of overcoming this problem by either increasing the air pressure inside or applying vacuum outside a centrifuge. Laboratory dewatering tests conducted using these provisions showed that the moistures of various minerals and coal fines can be reduced to the level that can obviate the need for thermal drying. The new concept has been successfully tested both at pilot- and full-scale, which lead to commercial deployment through Decanter Machine, Inc., under the trade name Centribaric® centrifuge. Keywords: dewatering, hyperbaric centrifuge, pressure drop, Darcy?s law, Centribaric® centrifuge

Sep 1, 2012

By G. H. Lind

The Minerals Tertiary Education Council (MTEC), over the past decade, has worked closely with Australian higher education partners in metallurgical education to build capacity in this discipline to deliver high quality graduates for the Australian minerals-industry. This paper explores the benefits of industry engagement through a national innovative collaboration, the Metallurgical Education Partnership (MEP), and specifically the final year Process Design Project (PDP), over the four year period from 2008-2011. Some of the benefits discussed in this paper include outcomes of the student experience during an industry-intensive workshop, collaboration between higher education providers and aligning graduate attributes to meet industry requirements.

Sep 1, 2012

By Sathyaprasad Nanjundaiah

The Paper intends to showcase a framework for spatial data collaboration from multiple sources of data, in order to create a single source of truth across the Organization. The framework is targeted to reduce the data duplicity, re-work, time loss due to search of required data and hindrances to fetch or transfer data from various data sources. The spatial data collaboration will provide a single window view of the entire organization with respect to its operations, management, sales, customers and competitors on a spatial reference across various regions in the World. Large Organizations with cross-country operations can standardize the use of spatial data through this framework for ease of data access, increasing the data reliability / integrity and better / on time decision making. Keywords: spatial data, GIS, collaboration, framework, mining, ESRI, tab files, shape files, ETL, reliability, integrity, interoperability, geo data, geo database, single source of truth

Sep 1, 2012

By F. C. Araújo, T. Tavares, J. Leite

"This work presents the small-scale mining cluster of kaolin in Rio Grande do Norte (RN) and Paraiba (PB), both Brazilian states, including the following information: number of companies, process flowcharts, production numbers, mineralogical (XRD) and chemical (XRF) composition, granulometric distribution (screen and laser granulometer) and image analysis (SEM). Some social indicators in the region of the RN and PB States are presented in association with these data. The number of companies and their flowsheet were obtained through in situ visits and sample collection for technological characterization. The comparative study of the different flowsheets for kaolin production in the world was done using the databases and presenting the state of the art of kaolin processing. The results indicated that the mean feed typically contains 35-39% kaolin with quartz, muscovite and kaolinite as main mineralogical components and SiO2 (65.83%), Al2O3 (21.19%), K2O (3.9%), and Fe2O3 (0,63%) as main chemical constituents. The products of mineral processing are twofold, one between 74 µm and 37 µm, and the other smaller than 37 µm. The wastes of operation had major quantities of kaolin. The average Human Development Index (HDI) of the cluster region is approximately of 0.61, which shows an association between mineral processing plant and social indicators. The kaolin recovery, however, is between 30-55% for the three most common types of flowsheets that are currently used in the small kaolin mining cluster, indicating a need for technological improvement to achieve regional development. These data could be used incrementally to adapt the process plant currently used in the small-scale mining cluster of kaolin."

Jan 1, 2014

By David Yang

Commercially available flotation technologies for recovery of mineral fines have remained essentially unchanged for several decades. Recent studies have focused simply on improving mechanical and open column cells. Such studies have explored different control strategies and have aimed to improve reagent selectivity, fine air bubble generation and particle-air contact. However, no study has questioned whether current techniques are the most efficient technology for recovering mineral fines. Given that both mechanical and open column cells have a widely accepted carrying capacity limitation, the lack of extensive research into an alternative technology is surprising. Most recently, open column flotation has become an entrenched technology, and it is undermining the efficient recovery of mineral fines worldwide. An alternative exists. Packed column flotation overcomes the above-stated problems as the technology surpasses the carrying capacity limitation of current means by several-fold and almost always achieves the best performance in many comparative pilot tests and full-scale plant operations. Filling a column with packing plates creates a network of sloped walls capable of supporting a froth bed many times deeper than conventional machines. Having froth up to 75 percent of the total column volume tolerates all feed changes encountered in the plant environment and permits maximum flexibility in concentrate quality control. Furthermore, its scale-up is straightforward by increasing column volume or the number of interconnected small cells. As the air breaks upon rising and is distributed horizontally through packing plates, the air spargers can be replaced with a simple blower, resulting in considerable savings in operation and maintenance costs. Packed flotation technology provides a break-through solution for the separation of fine and ultra-fine minerals. Its simplicity, superior performance, and low cost structure make it an appealing alternative to current technologies and allow greater flexibility in downstream processing. Future industrial applications include a wide variety of metallic and non-metallic ores. This paper focuses on some recent scale-up campaigns for nickel and copper sulphide flotation applications compared directly to conventional equipment.

Jan 1, 2014

By J. Y. Liu

The comminution in a high-pressure roller mill is modeled by an energy-based population balance approach considering three aspects of breakage taking place in the active zones of the mill: the interparticle breakage in the high-compression zone, the breakage at the edges of the rolls, and the pre-breakage in the acceleration zone. Together with an appropriate model of classification, this model can be used to simulate steady-state performance of closed-circuit grindings with high-pressure roller mill. After a brief description of the basic modeling approach, the algorithm of the steady-state calculation for a generalized grinding-classification circuit is presented, from which the circuit configurations commonly met in industrial practice can be derived. With an iron ore as feed material for example, simulation results are shown and discussed in respect of circulating load, specific energy consumption and product fineness for closed-circuit grindings under various operating conditions. The effects of stressing intensity, working gap, classifier parameters as well as circuit configuration on the overall circuit performance are investigated systematically by means of computer simulation.

Jan 1, 2014

By Y. P. Huang

Experiment results and operation practice on reutilizing old tailings dumped at SCIM (Shang-chang Iron Mine) of KISCO (Kunming Iron and Steel Corp.) are presented. In a production period over 30 years SCIM dumped about 8 million tons of iron ore tailings. For improving resources utilization instead of wasting, experiments on processing for reutilization of the old tailings are con-ducted. These tailings are fine size fractions of weathered iluvial ores rejected out by classification- des-liming in ore washing and dressing processes, containing TFe 21%~22% in hematite mainly and limonite occasionally. Their particle size distribution, in average, is of 72.26% minus 0.037mm and 30.88% minus 0.005mm. Existence of plenty of micro-fine particles makes the tailings refractory to process, resulting in poor metallurgy. The whole sample of the old tailings without size-classification is fed into experimental process. Slon-100 type high grads WHIMS (wet high intensity magnetic separator) with cyc-pulsing is adopted, which magnetism-focusing rod?s diameter is changed from 3mm into 2mm. Operational conditions of optimizing rougher separation tests are strengthened. An iron concentrate assaying 52.21% Fe at quantity rate of 18.39% and iron recovery of 44.40% is obtained. Operational practice shows that metallurgy and economy of the old tailings treatment are close to what achieved at experiments. It is estimated, therefore, that some 1.4 million tons of this iron concentrate may be recovered from the old tailings. This means that KISCO has moved its key one-step in re-mining and reutilizing the secondary resources, which would be a good demonstration in this industry. This is also of social and economic significance in response to China government?s request on reducing consumption of resources and establishing society with economy for achieving sustainable development.

Jan 1, 2014

By N. Nehoroshev, P. Solozhenkin, N. Voyloshnikova, A. Pshennikov

"Molecular modeling of clusters of major bismuth minerals, Bi2S3, was carried out whereby molecular models of minerals and reagents clusters were created. Their HOMO and LUMO energy levels were calculated and using known modelling equations, the absolute hardness ?, eV and electronegativity were calculated. The charges of separate atoms of clusters and the change of properties of the minerals were determined which allowed predictions of the flotation properties of raw ores containing rare bismuth minerals. Modeled complexes containing the clusters of minerals and various collectors were constructed, consisting of atoms and bonds within clusters of minerals. Major physical and chemical parameters were determined for the complexes created, including the total and electronic energy. Based on the energy calculations, predictions of the collector efficiency were proposed. The efficiency of collector was established for various thiolic reagents, the compounds of phosphorus (III) and mixtures of reagents. Theoretical results were checked and confirmed against laboratory ore flotation tests. A gold-bismuth-magnetite ore type was studied where gold, bismuth and iron (magnetite) are of industrial interest. The ore contains 2.8 g/t Au, 1.0 g/t Ag, 0.26% Bi, 45% Fe and 1.25% As. Sulphide mineralization can be mainly found in the form of pyrrhotite, pyrite and arsenopyrite. Bismuth can be mainly found in the form of bismuthite and native bismuth. Gold is fine. A flow sheet for Zhelezny Kryazh ore treatment was proposed. This flow sheet consists of grinding to 95-98% -74 µm, sulfide flotation with two cleaner with xanthate addition, cyanidation of flotation concentrate and flotation tailings included treatment with with CaO (6 kg, 6 hours), cyanidation (8 hours) and CIL (8+24 hours). Saleable products are gold doré, bismuth and iron concentrate."

Jan 1, 2014