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By John Ralston, Jona Addai-Mensah, Patience Mpofu

The flocculation and dewatering behaviour of kaolinite (non swelling) and smectite (swelling) clay dispersions has been investigated using hydrolysable metal ions Mn(II) and Ca(II) and anionic polyacrylamide-acrylate copolymer (PAM) at pH 7.5 and 10.5. A pH-dependent, specific metal ion adsorption behaviour, accompanied by a marked reduction in particle zeta potential and slurry shear yield stress, was observed to have a profound influence on the colloid stability of both types of clays. Due to the differences in the cation exchange capacity, the smectite clay dispersion required a higher amount of metal ions than kaolinite dispersion to produce similar effects. The adsorption density of the anionic PAM at the negatively charged clay particle surfaces correlated well with metal ion hydrolysis and adsorption behaviour, all of which had a strong effect on slurry settling rate and extent of consolidation. At pH 7.5 where Mn(II) ions hydrolyse, metal ion and flocculant adsorption densities were both greater in the presence of Mn(II) than Ca(II) ions. At pH 10.5, however, where Ca(II) ions begins to hydrolyse, higher adsorption densities were observed for Ca(II) ions in comparison with Mn(II) ions, as the latter hydrolysed completely and precipitated. The metal ion mediated flocculant adsorption led to improved hydrogen bond driven particle bridging and facilitated charge neutralisation flocculation mechanisms which significantly enhanced the dewaterability of both clay dispersions.

Jan 1, 2003

By Carin Laubscher, Francis W. Petersen, Jaap P. Smit

Waste streams, such as acid mine drainage, are often characterised by low pH values and high concentrations of heavy metals, dissolved solids, calcium and sulphates. Although lime remediation effectively removes most of the heavy metals as hydroxides, it is less effective at lowering levels of sulphates. Various methods of removing sulphates from effluents exist, such as precipitation with lime, precipitation with barium salts, co-precipitation with calcium carbonate, reverse osmosis, and ion exchange. Mintek developed a chemical precipitation (SAVMIN) process to treat acid mine drainage, which entails the addition of lime to precipitate the metal hydroxides, and the subsequent formation (precipitation) of calcium sulphoaluminate or ettringite. The key to the viability of the new technology lies in the correct use, regeneration and recycling of Al(OH)3 used to precipitate the ettringite. The water produced by this process is suitable for disposal to watercourses or for agricultural, domestic or industrial consumption. No brines are produced as the salts are converted to solid hydroxides, gypsum and calcium carbonate. The technology has been tested on several different waters in pilot plant campaigns. Results obtained indicate that potable water can be produced (containing less than 200 mg/L sulphate and no heavy metals) as long as the monavalent ions (Na+, Cl-, etc.) are within limits.

Jan 1, 2003

By M D. Melville, B C. T Macdonald, T D. W

The surface waters in regions with acid sulfate soils (ASS) can contain high concentrations of acidity and dissolved metals. These soils cause problems for agriculture, construction and development. The water can be neutralised through many techniques, however a technique that is low in maintenance and low in cost is most desirable. Due to the vast spread of ASS along AustraliaÆs coastline an expensive and high maintenance solution would not be cost-effective. In this study, a passive treatment system that has been used to neutralise acid rock drainage has been applied to treat ASS water. This system is commonly referred to as an oxic limestone drain (OLD) or an anoxic limestone drain (ALD) depending on the waters dissolved oxygen concentration. The system that has been developed for ASS has a similar closed system to the OLD or ALD, that traps the carbon dioxide which forms when limestone reacts with acidic water. It has been called a closed tank reactor (CTR) and is constructed by placing limestone into an airtight tank. A common problem that will occur when acidic water with a high concentration of dissolved metals reacts with limestone is the formation of metal oxy-hydroxide precipitates. These precipitates can coat or armour the limestone and reduce its reactivity. To minimise the accumulation of precipitates in the CTR, perforated subdrains have been installed. It is anticipated that high water pressure and flow through the subdrains will remove some precipitates. A sump has also been installed at the base of the tank to collect precipitates that settle under gravity. The CTR has been tested for 70 days at a sugar cane farm located at McLeods Creek, NSW. Within this time the sump and subdrains have been used to flush the system. An orange solution was produced during flushing and it is believed to contain iron and aluminium precipitates. The initial performance of the CTR raised pH by at least one unit. Almost all dissolved aluminium was removed and more than half the dissolved iron. The total titratable acidity ranged from 17 - 92 mg/L CaCO3 in the initial month of monitoring. After passing through the CTR the acidity was reduced to zero. The performance of the CTR during the last few days of monitoring decreased. This is believed to be due to a pulse of water with higher acidity and dissolved metal content that lasted a week. In this pulse, the acidity reached 307 mg/L CaCO3 and the total dissolved aluminium reached a maximum of 24 mg/L. Higher concentrations of dissolved metals may have been the cause for lower performance due to increased precipitation and coating on the limestone.

Jan 1, 2003

By E. M. Hill, D. E. Walsh, J. T. Hollow, H. K. Lin

Fairbanks Gold Mining, Inc. (FGMI) began blending and processing True North ore at their Fort Knox mill on April 12, 2001.Gold extraction subsequently dropped from 88% to 71% during the last week of April 2001. 25% of the gold values remaining in the leach tailings were gravity recoverable free gold. Significant quantities of stibnite and arsenopyrite were also identified in the tailings. In laboratory bottle roll tests, the gold extraction from a composite of leach circuit feed collected during the same period was 72.6%, when leached at an average NaCN concentration of 0.16 g/kg. The extraction increased to 82.4% and 91.7% with 0.5 g/kg NaCN, and 0.5g/kg NaCN plus 0.075 g/kg Pb(NO3)2, respectively. A passivating layer surrounding liberated gold particles and resulting from sulfide mineral dissolution, likely contributes to reduced gold recovery, which can be substantially increased by the addition of lead nitrate. Lead species remain in the solid residues after leaching and were not mobilized using Meteoric Water Mobility Procedure.

Jan 1, 2003

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

"We have used the microscopic thin balance developed by Scheludko at al. (1970) technique 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. It was found that the mixed surfactants caused lower contact angles, lower rates of the thin aqueous film rupture and longer film lifetime, compared to the pure amine system.This behavior was explained by the initial strong adsorption of positively charged interfacial complexes from the mixed surfactant system at the air/solution interface followed by adsorption at the silica interface. It was also shown that the chain length compatibility between the anionic and cationic surfactants controls the strength of the interfacial complex, determining an inhibition in the thin film rupture and dewetting of the film. The rupture mechanism was explained by an earlier established heterocoagulation mechanism between the positively charged air/solution interface and the solution/silica interface which remained negatively charged. The formation of the interfacial complex at the air/solution interface was confirmed by using surface tension data."

Jan 1, 2003

Based on experimental and computer simulation results from our group, we report a systematic, atomic level analysis of carbon dissolution from carbonaceous materials in molten iron. Experimental results on graphite / Fe-C-S system were obtained using carbon dissolution studies, XRD and FESEM investigations and were supplemented with Monte Carlo simulations. Three basic mechanisms, namely carbon atom dissociation rate, interfacial phenomena and mass transfer in the melt were found to be responsible for the overall dissolution process. While mass transfer in the melt is governed by the concentration gradients, melt composition and temperature; impurities present in ash play a significant role in the interfacial phenomena. For less ordered forms of carbonaceous materials, carbon atom dissociation rate depends strongly on the degree of long-range order and is an important rate controlling mechanism in the overall dissolution process. A systematic comparison of dissolution rates for a variety of coal-chars, natural and synthetic graphites has been carried out in an attempt to identify rate-controlling mechanisms. The structure of the carbonaceous material appears to be an important underlying factor in the carbon dissolution process.

Jan 1, 2003

By Hideki Yamamoto, Norihiro Murayama, Junji Shibata

"Hydrothermal syntheses of zeolite from coal fly ash were carried out by using various alkali sources. NaOH, Na2CO3, KOH, K2CO3 and their mixture were applied for an alkali source of zeolite synthesis. The various physical properties of the reaction product, such as the kind of zeolite crystal, cation exchange property, surface texture and so on, was investigated through the zeolitization reaction from fly ash. The mechanism of zeolitization reaction was considered from these results.Zeolite P(NaP), hydroxysodalite(HS) and chabazite(K-CHA) are synthesized as zeolite species, when fly ash hydrothermally reacts in various alkali solutions at 393K. The crystal structure of the products obtained in NaOH solutions for 3h changes from NaP to HS with increasing NaOH concentration. K-CHA formation in KOH solutions needs 10h of reaction time, which is longer than that of NaP or HS.Dissolution, condensation and crystallization steps exist in the zeolitization reaction from fly ash, and the particle surface of products remarkably changes in each step. The fly ash is spherical particles and the surface is smooth(Fig.1(a)). The dissolution of fly ash occurs in the heating process until 393K, and the particle surface changes like unevenness(Fig.1(b)). In case of NaP, the condensation of aluminosilicate ions takes place at 373-393K, and the amorphous aluminosilicate is deposit on the unreacted fly ash(Fig.1(c)). The crystallization of NaP already begins to occur at 393K and the surface is covered with fine zeolite crystals for 24h(Fig.1(d))."

Jan 1, 2003

By Zoran M. Stevic, Mirjana M. Rajcic-Vujasinovic, Zvonimir D. Stankovic

"Covellite is one of the most important copper sulfide minerals. Its behavior during the anodic polarization, as well as its rest potential in various solutions are of importance for flotation processes and also define the mechanism of electrochemical extraction of copper from sulfide minerals.Measurements of the rest potential have been performed in water solutions in presence of different cations and anions. The existence of the Nernst type dependence of the rest potential on the activity of some of the investigated ions was established. The biggest influence on the rest potential of covellite exhibits the change of activities of the ions forming the crystal lattice of investigated mineral, i.e. Cu(II) and S(II). The dependence of the rest potential of covellite on logarithm of Cu(II) activity has a shape of a strait line with a positive slope of 60 mV, while when concentration of S(II) anions increases ten times, the rest potential of covellite decreases about 120 mV. The first dependence was established in acid medium, while the second was registered in alkali one.Different electrochemical techniques have been used for the investigation of the behavior of covellite during anodic polarization. In the basis of all these measurements is a three electrode system consisted of: 1) working electrode made of the sample of natural covellite from the Bor mine (Eastern Serbia, Yugoslavia); 2) reference electrode (saturated calomel electrode) and 3) counter electrode (flat platinum). Electrolyte solutions used in these investigations are of the same kind as those used in the rest potential measurements. Sulfate and chloride solutions, as well as the mixed sulfate/chloride solutions, are the most perspective from the application point of view.Cyclic voltammetry has been the first used method that confirmed the formation of passive layer on the electrode surface during anodic polarization. Elementary data about the reaction mechanism have been obtained too. More detailed data needed for more precise conclusions about the mechanism and rate of the anodic process on covellite have been obtained by galvanostatic method. It was established that the essential difference exists between the reaction mechanism in sulfate and chloride solutions. Also, the difference is exhibited in the nature of reaction product directly connected with the passivation of the electrode surface. Chronopotentiometric investigations have been performed in sulfate, nitrate, chloride perchlorate and mixed sulfate/chloride solutions applying different current densities. The shape of obtained curves indicate if there was a surface passivation and how intensive it was."

Jan 1, 2003

By N. T. Beukes, W. Banda

Recovery of Co from slag is a recent advancement in the extractive metallurgy of nonferrous metals. In this study a DC arc technology at laboratory scale has been applied to investigate the selective recovery of Co from slag, under three different flux types with an emphasis on influencing the activity of FeOx, SiO2 and CoO in the slag. It is known that reduction of slag by carbon is only up to a certain level after which, the recovery will depend on the chemistry of the slag, hence the need to modify the slag chemistry. Two power settings were employed to induce higher temperatures and aggressive agitation. The results were interpreted by comparing how much Co and Fe was in the slag and alloy. TiO2 reduced the amount of Fe in the product alloy compared to when CaO and CaF2 were used. The change in power did not seem to have had a major effect on the recovery although the amount of material lost to flue dust was more at a higher power rate.

Jan 1, 2003

By Yoichi Takeda

The CaO-FeOx-Cu20 slag has been practically applied to continuous converting of copper, and also has potential for refining of copper. Liquidus lines of the slag system and phase stability diagram for the liquid slag and the existing solid compounds under copper saturation are presented. Liquidus composition was determined by chemical analysis of slag sample saturated primary solid. The temperatures of invariant equilibria were investigated by thermal analyses. Oxygen potentials on the liquidus lines, the univariant and invariant equilibria were estimated from the relation slag composition and oxygen potential that relation was confirmed in separate experiments.

Jan 1, 2003

By Tony Mazzo

It has often been said by consulting engineers that foundation contractors are in the business of taking risks. One would agree that the mere fact a foundation project can be budgeted, planned, engineered and executed solely on the reliability of eight test borings made at a proposed site having an area of approximately 19,000 square feet, is a risky proposition, in and of itself. Now imagine that this site is actually one half of a city block located in an urban setting in an old, congested, historical neighborhood, surrounded by narrow city streets and historic landmark buildings. And suppose that the required depth of excavation for the construction of the new building on this site is approximately 35 feet and the natural groundwater table is at a depth below existing grade of only 25 feet. Given the difficult site conditions outlined above, one could certainly add the words "challenging" and "complicated" to the inherent word "risky" when describing the construction techniques involved to undertake a foundation project of this magnitude. This case study will discuss in detail how the excavation, sheeting, dewatering and underpinning work was accomplished as well as the problems overcome along the way.

Jan 1, 2003

By D J. Williams, G W. Wilson, S, A B. Tran

A comprehensive field program was implemented to evaluate the internal structure and hydrology of two full-scale waste rock piles. The excavation of waste rock dumps for in-pit disposal at the two mine sites provided an opportunity to characterise the in situ properties of the dumps given contrasting geologic and climatic settings. The internal structure and materials within the dumps were observed and sampled as the waste rock piles were being excavated and placed in the open pits for permanent closure. The field program was designed to fully characterise the structure and material properties of the waste rock. The alteration of the material by physical and chemical weathering was also observed. Samples were analysed for paste pH, water content, grain size distribution and geochemistry. In situ density and matric suction were also measured. Soil water characteristic curves and saturated hydraulic conductivity were measured for representative materials. These properties were used to predict seepage pathways through the waste rock and the resulting outflow geochemistry using the finite element model SEEP/W. The materials in the dump at Site 1 were predominantly fine-grained in texture and highly weathered. The presence of dipping beds with alternating coarse and fine materials was evident throughout the profile of the dump. The structure of the waste rock appears to have an impact on the hydrologic pathways within the waste rock pile. The material in the dump at Site 2 was found to be competent and resistant to particle size breakdown. The particles range in size from clay size to large boulders with the median particle size being approximately 125 mm in diameter. The coarse-grained texture of the waste rock resulted in a loosely packed arrangement of coarse particles with little matrix material infilling the pore spaces between the coarse-grained particles. Seepage modelling for Site 1 was completed to predict seepage paths based on observed structure and hydraulic properties measured in the laboratory. The modelling showed that materials with a fine grain size distribution become the dominant pathways for flow through the waste rock pile. The modelling also showed that layers with high silt and sand contents are subject to the highest flow rates. Finer grained clay rich layers have a low hydraulic conductivity and do not convey large volumes of water. Alternately, coarse gravel and cobble materials are unsaturated under values of matric suction that approach the residual water content of the material and do not transmit liquid water. The seepage modelling together with the results of the geochemical analysis show that the dominant particle size that receives the most fluid flow and flushing ranges from fine sand to silt, corresponding to materials with air entry values ranging between 5 kPa to 50 kPa.

Jan 1, 2003

By Laszlo Toth

A feeder is used to control the gravity flow of bulk solids from storage areas, like a bin or a stockpile. For this type of application, it is important to select a proper drive that can fulfill all of the demands put on it. High starting torque capacity, variable speed and the ability to handle frequent starts and stops are some of the demands that the drive must be able to meet. The following is a comparison of the most common type of drives used today for feeder applications. When a feeder is started, the breakaway torque may reach as high as200% of the running torque. The accelerating torque usually is set to protect the carrying element of the feeder, like the belt for the belt feeder and the carrying chain of the apron feeder (Fig. 1).

Jan 1, 2003

By Takaaki Ishikawa

The distribution equilibria of lead, zinc and copper between CaO-Si02-Ah03 melts and liquid copper were measured at 1623K under a controlled H2-C02 atmosphere. The distribution ratios were plotted against the oxygen partial pressure, and reasonable oxide forms dissolved in the melts were estimated from the slopes of the plots. The activity coefficients of zinc oxide (ZnO), lead oxide (PbO) and cuprous oxide (CuO0.5) increased with increasing slag basicity, defined by XCao/Xsio2 The temperature dependence of the activity coefficients was also measured.

Jan 1, 2003

By J Vann, S Dunham, M Job

Two-dimensional (2D) estimation approaches have significant advantages over three-dimensional (3D) approaches when dealing with a narrow vein- or layer-like geometry. The main motivation for 2D estimation is that bias due to non-additivity of grade is avoided. The various aspects of 2D estimation are illustrated by use of a case study from the 1A Shoot Nickel deposit at Leinster, Western Australia. The width of the 1A mineralisation is variable, and so are the angles of drilling intersection. Consequently, the variable of interest (in this case nickel grade) is not suitable for direct kriging because it is defined on non-uniform support. However, grade can also be defined as the ratio of two variables that are suitable for direct kriging: thickness and accumulation. In the 2D approach, tonnage equates to thickness and metal equates to the product of grade and thickness, also called æaccumulationÆ. In the simplest approach we can independently krige accumulation and thickness and derive the grade by the ratio of the two resultant estimates. The thickness and accumulation variables must be in a consistent projection orientation, for example a horizontal projection in the case of steeply inclined mineralisation like 1A. Because the density is not constant across the 1A (and most other) deposits, the issue of density weighting is also discussed. The impact of the correlation between grade and length, or grade and density are important issues in implementation of 2D estimation. The circumstances under which these correlations need to be taken into account (by co-kriging) are reviewed. Finally some comments are made on the final use of the resultant 2D estimate for mine planning purposes.

Jan 1, 2003

By Florian Kongoli

Slags and fluxes are important interchangeable dimensions of pyrometallurgical processes. They can increase the efficiency of the smelting, converting and refining processes and improve the quality of the final products. A good slag should have appropriate physicochemical properties such as low liquidus temperature, optimal viscosity, maximum ability to attract undesirable elements, minimum potential of attracting valuable elements, etc .. A good flux, on the other hand, when properly used, can considerably improve the physicochemical properties of the slag since by modifYing its chemical composition it could decrease the liquidus temperature, improve viscosity etc.. Consequently, the choice of a good slag and the corresponding fluxing strategies has become indispensable in most of industrial processes. However, the properties of multi component slags as well as the effect of several fluxes are known only empirically and confusion exists in the literature and in the industrial practice. In today's reality of frequent changes in the composition of raw materials and that of the fluxes themselves, in the existing or new developing technologies, the quantification of the thermophysicochemical properties of multicomponent slags and the effect of fluxes becomes indispensable. This paper reviews some of the work carried out by the author's group during the last ten years on the quantification of the thermophysicochemical properties of multicomponent slags and on the effect of fluxes in several smelting and converting processes in close relation to their individual characteristics. Several examples have been given in order to demonstrate the fact that when taken outside the context some fluxes can become in fact anti-fluxes.

Jan 1, 2003

By P. N. Erasmus, M. Heyns, M. J. Pretorius

The characteristic of stope supports plays a vital role in the design of the supports. This paper deals with the characterisation of both cellular lightweight concrete and timber supports since both supports absorb and dissipate the energy in different ways. The behaviour of the support and hence its performance is simulated for different loading conditions by constructing a model consisting of various mechanical components like springs, dampers and blow-off valves. When the force exerted by the stope support increases significantly during deformation of the support, the stresses in the hangingwall could exceed values where failure of the hangingwall may occur. There is a need to understand this phenomena and the work presented in this paper is a first attempt to start with the characterisation of the stope support. Les caractéristiques des supports de taille jouent un rôle vital dans la conception des supports. L’étude présente traite de la caractérisation des supports cellulaires en béton léger et en bois, puisque ces deux types absorbent et dissipent l’énergie de façons différentes. Le comportement du support et par conséquent sa performance est simulée pour des conditions différentes de chargement en construisant un modèle qui consiste en des organes mécaniques variés tels que ressorts, registres et valves d’échappement. Quand la force exercée par le support de taille augmente considérablement pendant la déformation du support, les contraintes dans le toit peuvent dépasser des valeurs qui pourraient entraîner la défaillance du toit. Il est nécessaire de comprendre ce phénomène et l’étude ici présentée constitue un premier essai dans la caractérisation du support de taille. Die Charakteristika der Strossenunterstützung spielt im Design von Unterstützungen eine vitale Rolle. Diese Arbeit befaßt sich mit der Charaketerisierung sowohl der porösen Leichtgewichtbeton- als auch mit der Holzunterstützung, da beide Unterstützungen Energien auf verschiedene Art und Weise absorbieren und auflösen. Das Verhalten der Unterstützung und folglich seine Leistung wird für unterschiedliche Ladezustände simuliert, indem ein Model konstruiert wird, welches verschiedene mechanische Komponenten wie Federn, Dämpfer und Ausblaseventile enthält. Wenn die von Strossenunterstützung während einer Unterstützungsdeformation aufgebotene Kraft signifikant ansteigt, könnten die Spannungen im Bereiche des Stollenfirstes Werte überschreiten wo ein Versagen des Stollenfirstes eintreten kann. Es besteht die Notwendigkeit dieses Phänomen zu verstehen, und die Arbeit, die in diesem Elaborat dargestellt wird, ist ein erster Versuch, mit der Charaketerisierung der Strossenunterstützung zu beginnen.

Jan 1, 2003

By J. T. Jordaan

Paper written on project work carried out in partial fulfilment of B. Eng (Mining Engineering) degree This paper addresses the critical parameters that need to be considered when designing a mechanized bord-and-pillar mining layout for a narrow tabular steep dipping orebody. These parameters are : ?Reef dip ?Reef width ?Geological structures within the orebody ?Physical dimensions of the selection of machines ?Gradeability of the selection of machines. The main objective in designing such a layout is to maximize machine efficiencies whilst minimizing dilution. This methodology was then applied in the design of a mechanized bord-and-pillar mining layout for a given piece of ground (Vlakpoort and Moddergat) using a given selection of machines. This piece of ground contains the PGM bearing UG2 Reef with an average thickness of 124 cm and dipping at 18°withadverse strike and dip changes. Two bord-and-pillar layouts were designed for this area. Layout 1 is characterized by the use of strike conveyors to convey ore on strike with an average LHD hauling distance of 35 m. Layout2 uses LHDs for all on strike conveyance of ore with an average hauling distance of 75 m. These two layouts were then technically and financially compared. It was concluded that layout 1 is theoretically superior but layout 2 was chosen due to its greater flexibility and probability of operational success. Layout 2 was also compared to conventional mining and it was concluded to be more economically feasible. However the latter is a proven mining method in these conditions and has a lower risk operational failure. Bord-and-pillar mining has some favourable promises such as improving labour difficulties, lowering operating costs and providing safer working conditions. The success of mechanized bord-and-pillar mining in narrow tabular steep dipping orebodies will depend on the extent of the research and development efforts which need to create and innovate technologies to overcome some of the current limitations stated in the above-mentioned parameters.

Jan 1, 2003

By K Hskansson

In earlier studies along a mining region recipient (the river VormbScken, northern Sweden), the fraction of certain trace metals recovered in the particulate phase has been found to increase with increasing concentrations of particulate iron. This study was conducted to see if the pattern could be reproduced by adding minor amounts of ferrous iron, simulating groundwater inputs. When the iron is oxidised in the near neutral river water, it will form iron oxyhydroxides and precipitate. Trace metals may be either co-precipitated along with the iron, or adsorbed onto the freshly formed precipitates. If this is the case, such a mechanism may be incorporated as a part of a final polishing step in a mine drainage treatment system based on natural attenuation processes. The experiments were performed at 0¦C and 22¦C, on authentic river waters collected during the winter and summer of 2002, respectively. In order to investigate the influence of particles and bacteria initially present, filtered river waters (4 solution were added to the experimental beakers, increasing the iron content of the waters by 0 - 1.5 mg/L. The oxidation and precipitation processes were followed by means of filtration (0.2 ¦m) for up to seven days. In order to be able to compare the experimental results with the actual field situation, on both experimental occasions, surface water samples were collected also from three stations situated along the river. The samples collected were analysed for iron, calcium, and trace metals by AAS and ICP-MS. The iron oxyhydroxides formed in the experiment did not influence the partitioning of As, Cu, and Pb to the same extent as the particulate iron encountered along the river appeared to do. Cd and Zn were recovered mainly in the dissolved (

Jan 1, 2003

At its Copper Cliff Smelter, Inco Limited processes a bulk copper-nickel concentrate in two Inco oxygen flash furnaces. The furnace matte is converted to low iron matte for further processing, and the molten converter slag is recycled to the flash furnaces. The flash furnace slag is discarded. Natural gas or coke supplies a minor proportion of the process heat requirements, thus limiting the flash furnace matte grade to the target 45% CuNiCo. Coke addition to the furnace offers a potential means of establishing a reducing barrier on the surface of the molten bath. Such a practice would be conducive to producing sulfur deficient (partially metallized) matte. At the same iron content, the iron activity of sulfur deficient matte is higher than that of regular matte. A supernatant coke barrier could, therefore, be expected to lead to higher nickel and cobalt recoveries, reduction or even elimination of magnetite furnace bottom build-up and increased sulfur elimination as SO2 in the flash furnace. Preliminary experiments were conducted in a mini plant flash furnace to investigate the effect on process metallurgy of the suggested modified scheme. This paper presents the experimental results and discusses key aspects of the possible operation of the Inco flash furnace with a coke barrier separating the freeboard from the molten bath.

Jan 1, 2003