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By James R. Arnold, John O. Marsden

Introduction Metallurgical accounting practices have been revolutionized over the past 15 years by the introduction of low cost personal computers and easy- to-use spreadsheet software. The Chimney Creek metallurgical accounting system takes full advantage of these advances. Data is provided by a PLC-based process control system, IBM data logging, operator logsheets and assay results from an automatatic plant sampling system. The data is organized and stored in an IBM PS/2 system using Lotus 123 and customized accounting programs to provide a comprehensive information management system. Metallurgical accounting for gold plants should ideally provide information for the following: a) Gold production accounting b) Day-to-day process control and operation c) Metallurgical evaluation and process optimization The Chimney Creek system provides all of these while overcoming specific accounting problems presented by SAG milling a coarse feed, grinding in cyanide and dump leaching run-of-mine material. Process description Gold Fields' Chimney Creek mine is located 47 miles northeast of Winnemucca, Nevada, at the northern end of the Osgood Mountains. Ore is processed by a combination of dump leaching and milling processes. The dump leach operation treats approximately 2.0 million tons per year of low grade ore (0.030 oz/ton). Run-of-mine ore is top dumped in 40 foot high pads. The use of three solution ponds for leaching enables an intermediate solution to be recirculated to the leach pad to reduce the pregnant solution flowrate and increase gold tenor of solution to the carbon-in-column (CIC) recovery circuit. Gold recovery is approximately 65% by this method. The milling process employs a SAG mill-ball mill grinding circuit to treat 900,000 tons per year at an average grade of 0.19 oz/ton. The ore is crushed to minus 12" in a jaw crusher prior to feeding the SAG mill. Cyanide is added to the grinding circuit to start gold dissolution as early as possible. After grinding, leaching of the ore is continued in a unique two-stage counter current decantation circuit 1 with 12 hours of leaching between stages . 85% of the soluble gold is recovered from the first stage thickener overflow in carbon columns (CIC). The second stage underflow is treated in a scavenger carbon-in-pulp (CIP) plant. Ultimate gold recovery is over 95%. Loaded carbon from both the dump leaching and milling processes is pressure stripped by hot cyanide solution and gold is recovered from the resulting solution by zinc precipitation. The precipitate is retorted for mercury removal and smelted into bullion. The plant flowsheet appears in Figure 1. Data collection Data for daily metallurgical accounting is obtained from three sources: a) Plant sampling b) Process control system c) Operator logsheets All of the data collection for metallurgical accounting is based around the 12-hour shift operating schedule. Sampling All critical sampling for gold production accounting is performed by automatic samplers (Figure 2). Heath & Sherwood two-stage sampling systems are used for sampling all slurry streams (cyclone overflow, CIP feed and CIP tails). The automatic sampler consists of a pneumatically operated primary sample cutter and a continuous rotary secondary splitter. The cyclone overflow and CIP tails are the most critical samples since these are used to calculate gold into and out of the plant on a shiftly basis. The CIP feed sample gives additional information concerning intermediate dissolution and recovery

Jan 1, 1990

By J. R. Thoenen, B. H. Clemmons, A. H. Reed

"INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARYOverall red-ore reserves in the Birmingham, Ala., area were estimated in 1910 by E. F. Burchard 4/. Since then mining has progressed into areas classed by Burchard as ""unavailable for exploitation"" under conditions existing at that time. This is understandable when it is considered that red iron ore was valued at $1.19 a gross ton at the mine in Birmingham in 19102/ and by 1948 had risen 300 percent; 6/ that skips had replaced cars in slope haulage; that mechanical loading and rubber-tired haulage had replaced hand loading and mule or locomotive haulage; and that other more efficient mining methods had been introduced. Intensive study during the intervening 40 years has been given to ways and means for upgrading the low-grade ores in the area and combining or blending them with raw red and brown ores for improved blast-furnace feed.It is reasonable to expect that future progress in mining efficiency and increased knowledge of the beneficiation characteristics of marginal ores will permit extraction of red-iron minerals now considered uneconomic.The Bureau of Mines has undertaken to restudy iron-ore reserves of the Birmingham area to determine what tonnage and grades of mineral are present; what is necessary to make them amenable to mining; what further advancement is possible in beneficia¬tion methods; and where increased production may be obtained in the area if and when required. This study has been underway for the past 2 years, but research into the beneficiation of marginal ores has been in progress at the Southern Experiment Station for the past 30 years. Many results of that research have been adopted in commercial practice in the area. Other results have not been published but are pre¬sented here in condensed form as an important factor in assessing marginal deposits with respect to their importance as ore reserves.An interim discussion of the salient features of past history and progress, as well as the data developed during the years of research in beneficiation at this station and the present field investigation, will make for a better understanding of the present position as well as be useful in evaluating future potentialities. Discussion in this paper is confined to the main Birmingham Basin area, which contains the largest concentration of hematite ores in the district."

Jul 1, 1953

By Y. Foucaud, C. Eswaraiah, L. Filippov

Enhanced gravity separators such as Falcon concentrator which uses additional centrifugal force, are the most common gravity concentration techniques used for fine particles processing. Hence, understanding the kinetics and separation mechanisms within these separators is of paramount interest. Recent research yielded a predictive physical model for the Falcon Ultra Fine (UF) which however does not explain some results obtained with industrial ores. This study aims to identify the mechanisms involved in Falcon UF separation with the objective of confirming or rejecting the hypotheses on which the current model is built and suggesting potential points of improvement. The Falcon UF kinetics is investigated through the processing of complex low-grade and fine-grained ores from the Altenberg tin deposit (Germany), the Tabuaço tungsten deposit (Portugal) as well as a synthetic iron ore. Saturation tests are performed on the Falcon UF by controlling the separation efficiency in terms of recovery and enrichment ratio with time or feed mass. Results show an evolution of Falcon UF performance with time in contradiction with the stationary separation hypothesis on which the physical model is based. Observation of the concentrate bed suggests the presence of erosion figures in furrows which may play locally an active role in the separation. In terms of Falcon UF separation timing, three phases can be distinguished. First, upon initial feeding of the bowl, a bed quickly grows unselectively and ultra-fine particles are ejected from the bowl until the bed reaches its final profile. Next, actual separation occurs with selective concentration of dense particles. Finally, capture sites saturate and recovery drops. The evolution of partition curves over time confirms the existence of two separation mechanisms. First, differential particles settling within the flowing film responsible for the ejection of small size particles during the whole separation cycle which is already accounted for in the physical model. The second mechanism involved may be explained by the action of lift force, neglected in the physical model, which acts preferentially on coarse particles deposited at the surface of the bed resulting in coarser particles being rejected in the tailings. Hence, the addition of a lift force component to the existing model is suggested to account for this second separation mechanism.

Jan 1, 2018

By G. Van Weert, O. Wang

"As part of a general review of processing double refractory ores through Barrick Gold’s autoclaves / CIL facility at Goldstrike, blanking the preg robbing native carbon in the process solids with hard (m.p. 55 - 60 º C) paraffin wax was studied, specifically in relation to pressure oxidation. The improvement in CIL gold extraction was found to depend on the wax addition point, with hot, dry contacting of the ore in the presence of wax - prior to POX - yielding the largest, most consistent improvement in gold extraction.INTRODUCTIONDouble refractory gold ores present two barriers to gold extraction. The first is generally a physical barrier: the gold is encapsulated or dispersed in a matrix which is impervious to the gold lixiviant. In most cases, including Carlin Trend, NV, deposits, this involves a pyrite or arsenopyrite matrix, although minor gold may also be dispersed in competent silica (quartz) or iron oxides. Gold can be rendered accessible by oxidative destruction of such sulphide matrices. At Goldstrike this is practised by roasting and autoclave oxidation (Thomas, 1994). It is the latter route to which this paper refers.The second barrier refers to the actual gold recovery. Gold may be extracted from the pressure oxidized solids with cyanide, forming a gold cyanide complex. One characteristic of this complex is that it adsorbs on graphitic surfaces. This is taken advantage of on a large scale by gold millers, who use manmade activated, i.e., graphitized carbon particles to remove the gold from solution during leaching: the Carbon-In-Leach, or CIL process. The gold cyanide bearing carbon particles are larger than the ore solids and can be separately recovered by screening. Goldstrike uses the CIL technology to recover gold. The second barrier becomes problematic when the ore naturally contains graphitic orcarbonaceous material, hereafter referred to as native carbon (versus the man-made activated carbon). This material may also adsorb gold cyanide in competition with the activated carbon. Since the native carbon is ground with the ore it is much smaller than the activated carbon. Any competition between the two carbons may produce a loss of gold from the pregnant leach liquor to the process tailings. This phenomenon is called “preg robbing”. Goldstrike ores come from the Carlin trend, which is known for the occurrence of native carbon (Adams & Burger, 1998; Schmitz, Duyvesteyn, Johnson, Enloe & McMullen, 2001; Tretbar, 2004)."

Jan 1, 2012

By James E. Lawver

The agriculture industry has made great strides during the past decade to increase agriculture yields through increased use of fertilizers. Increased use of fertilizers may prevent or at least delay mass starvation due to the alarming increase in world population. Phosphate was added to soil as a plant nutrient in the forms of calcined bones at least 2 000 years ago, (1) and man has used phosphate minerals as a source of fertilizers in one form or another for at least 100 years. During 1977 the world produced about 116 million metric tons of phosphate rock, with about 86% used for fertilizers and another 4% for animal feed supplements. More than three-fourths of the total production comes from the United States, Morocco, and the Soviet Union. From a mineral beneficiation point of view, the major sources of phosphate rock and the methods of beneficiation can be classified as follows. Marine deposits not containing appreciable carbonate minerals, marine deposits requiring a francolite carbonate mineral separation, igneous deposits not containing appreciable carbonate minerals, and igneous deposits, requiring an apatite carbonate mineral separation.

Jan 1, 1978

By D Mcleod, S Brindley, S Green

The design and engineering of flotation circuits is driven by numerous inputs, including (in no particular order) testwork outcomes, site considerations, type of separation required, energy sensitivity of the flotation response, personal experience and preference for flotation machines, maintenance access requirements, operability, level of automation and capital constraints.This paper discusses these and other issues in the Australian context and covers the flotation of copper/gold ores and polymetallic (copper/lead/zinc) ores. The paper discusses aspects of the following: how should testwork be done and what are the important inputs and outcomes? how should testwork results be interpreted and how does this impact on equipment selection? what processes can have a critical impact on flotation circuit performance, eg thickening and regrind? what options are available with the typical æflatÆ Australia site? how do you minimise capital cost and what impact can this have on flotation circuit operation and maintenance? how should circuits be controlled and operated? Particular focus is placed on some practical aspects of process design and engineering and the potential impact that engineering decisions can have on flotation plant operation.

Jan 1, 2005

By George D. Dub

The Bureau of Mines, in connection with the investigations of war minerals it conducted, examined the graphite deposits of this country, studied the methods of mining and preparation used, and sought to devise more efficient methods for the preparation of domestic graphite, and to standardize the quality of the product. The graphite investigations covered three general phases, as follows: 1. An examination of the deposits in Alabama and other States, and a survey of the methods of mining and preparation used. In this connection methods of sampling and analysis were noted and experiments made to determine a standard method of sampling and a, rapid but accurate method of analysis. 2. Experimental work on the concentration and refining of domestic crucible graphite to improve the quality of the product and to lessen waste. 3. Experimental work in crucible manufacture to determine the properties of domestic flake and the maximum proportions that might be used without impairing the quality of the crucibles. This work was accompanied by photomicrographic study of crucible structure.

Jan 1, 1920

The wealth of a nation can be measured many ways, but one of the most important measures is its natural resources, particularly minerals. Minerals provide the foundation upon which economic prosperity and defense preparedness rest. Assessing our energy and mineral resources and assuring their development is in the best interests of all our people continues to be an important national goal. Since its founding in 1910, the U.S. Bureau of Mines has established itself as the world's premier minerals information and research agency. Its authoritative, comprehensive data and pioneering research have contributed significantly to a strong U.S. mineral position in the world.

Jan 1, 1990

By I. Farr, H. Wittens

"In 1989 and 1990 abnormally high levels of arsenic in ore from the Thompson Open Pit Mine threatened Manitoba Division's electro-nickel production. The paper will discuss our development of a flotation process to separate pentlandite and gersdorffite (the prime nickel and arsenic bearing minerals).The presentation will focus on the development of the process from conception, through lab and plant test work, to plant optimization and full scale production. The paper will conclude with the benefits and cost of the completed project.INTRODUCTIONRejection of arsenic from nickel sulphide ores was not a primary concern in the Manitoba Division until 1989. At that time increased production in the Thompson Open Pit mine, which contains high arsenic ore zones, resulted in excess amounts of arsenic in the Thompson Refinery affecting electro-nickel quality. This problem was resolved through extensive efforts by Mill personnel. The purpose of this paper is to familiarize the reader with- the Thompson Mill.- the mineralogy of the Thompson orebody.- the evolution of Ni/As separation in the Mill.- the metallurgical impacts of the separation on the Mill.- the importance of the separation to the Manitoba Division."

Jan 1, 1991

By Rudolf Gahl

SOME time ago the Detroit Copper Mining Co. had to decide the question whether it would pay to re-treat slime-tailings, and several machines were tested in order to ascertain the type of construction which would give the greatest saving. In previous tests on the ore of this company, several tables proved far inferior to the Frue vanner, and for this reason they did not receive any serious consideration. In the late tests, however, one table was found to surpass the vanner in the percentage of saving made. The Frue vanner used in these tests had been adjusted approximately to the slope which the slime-vanuers in the concentrator of the Detroit Copper Co. had at that time, about 2 in. between the inside of the wooden posts, or 0.272 in. per ft. It had not been determined, however, if this slope was the most economical one for treating the slime-feed in the mill, or for re-treating the tailings from the slime-vanners, and I was instructed to ascertain by test-runs, under different conditions, the best adjustments for the work to. be done. In order to determine if a change in the adjustments of the machines would improve the results, it seemed sufficient to continue running the tests between the vanner and the table before mentioned, keeping the feed and all other conditions the same, but. varying the adjustments of the vanner .from run to run. I employed a vanner-man of long experience to operate these machines, who expressed the opinion that a slope between 2 3/8 and 2.5 in. between the posts (0.323 and 0.340 in. per ft.) would give the best results. Some runs made this way gave a considerable improvement. While for a slope of 2 in. (0.272 in. per ft.) the saving had been only 40.5 per cent. of that of the table, it .was 49.2 per cent. for 2.5 in. (0.340 in. per ft.) slope. A decrease of

Sep 1, 1909

By The Staff

"IntroductionThe published information concerning treatment of uranium ores has been very limited as far as Canadian ores are concerned. Such information has dealt mainly with refining processes for concentrates or rich ores, designed to recover radium rather than uranium; these methods could not be economically applied to low-grade ores.The purpose of this paper is to describe treatment possibilities for some of the .ores that have been treated at the Mines Branch, and .to show how the character of these ores influences methods and results.What is a Uranium Ore?Prospecting for uranium has been extremely active during the past two years and a great many occurrences of radioactive minerals have been recorded. Such prospecting has been based to a large extent on the use of the Geiger counter in the fie1d. This equipment is an invaluable aid when the results are properly interpreted.Most definitely, indications of high radioactivity do not always prove the presence of a valuable orebody. First we have to determine:(1) Is the radioactivity due to uranium or to thorium. There is no immediate market for thorium.(2) Can the uranium in the ore be economically recovered.Chemical analysis is the most exact method of determining uranium content, but a fair estimate of the uranium, and also of the thorium, content can be made from the difference in gamma and beta activity. The Mines Branch guards against misinterpretation by determining both beta and gamma activities and, if more than a minor amount of thorium is indicated, then a Chemical analysis is made."

Jan 1, 1950

By V. A. Chanturiya

The results of development of new collecting reagents selectively interacting with the metals of platinum group (MPG) are presented. A new approach to the concentration of the platinum minerals from the fine grade platinum containing products with the use of cloud point polymers for the first time proposed for this purpose is discussed. An original method for the investigation of complexing reagents with the platinum under flotation conditions developed by authors is described. The influence of the complexing reagents on the xanthate adsorption and on the electrochemical properties of the platinum arsenide surface (sperrylite) as well with the interaction mechanism between the reagent and metallic platinum were investigated by means of the modern physical and physicochemical methods of the solid and fluid phase studies. The results of tests of some complexing reagents with the rich copper-nickel ore in the cycle of nickel-pyrrhotite flotation are given. The data obtained makes it possible to mark the complexing reagent containing phosphine group as the most effective additional collector for MPG. Cloud point polymers containing thioamide, aminosulphide, and phosphine functional groups were examined. It is shown that all the reagents tested increase the platinum and palladium extraction to the nickel-pyrrhotite concentrate without quality loss. Platinum containing particles flocculate selectively.

Jan 1, 2014

By Glenn C. Miller

Cyanide is the most common lixiviant for extraction of precious metals, and its efficient use in open pit mines has contributed to the increase in world production of gold during the previous two decades. With this expansion of precious metals mining using cyanide, public concerns have developed in response to the inherent public perception of cyanide as a tox-in as well as a series of environmental problems that are directly or indirectly related to cyanide use in open pit mining. Some of these have technical or regulatory solutions, while others will require additional investigation before they can be resolved. The following discussion will summarize some of the public concerns regarding the use of cyanide in precious metals mining. The issue of cyanide use in large scale precious mining is controversial, and recent banning of cyanide use in open pit mines in Montana, or complete banning of cyanide in Hungary has reflected those international concerns. The underlying basis for some of the bans (e.g. Montana) reflect a general concern of the environmental impacts of mining, rather than specific issues related to risk of cyanide use. The human safety record for cyanide use, particularly in the developed countries is good, and cyanide is clearly the most efficient lixiviant for precious metals. Indeed, the relatively short lifetime for cyanide in the environment renders it one of the less problematic chemicals used for extraction of gold from ore. Mercury amalgamation or use of bromide as a lixiviant are certainly much more problematic. What, then, is the basis f~r the international concern about precious metals mines that use cyanide. Ifuse of cyanide for gold recovery is to continue, what additional infom1ation needs to be developed that will allow a better management of the risks of cyanide? Which of the concerns are directly related to cyanide, and which are indirect concerns that more related to effects of open pit mining. Under what conditions should use of cyanide be discouraged? DUl::ing June of 2000 the United Nations Environmental Program conducted a two-day workshop on cyanide use in mining that was attended by persons from the mining industry, regulators and environmental community. Support and attendance at this workshop reflected concerns by all three groups on further restrictions for cyanide use and the emerging potential for guidelines for better management of the catastrophic release of cyanide-containing mining waste. The following discussion is meant to focus-on those risks and explore the basis for an often negative reaction to precious metals mining using cyanide. It is presented in the format of a statement, followed by a discussion. While admittedly provocative, the statements are meant to express the concerns? of the public regarding cyanide and the mining industry.

Jan 1, 1998

By Wallace R. Horn

"MR. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN :I begin this talk by making a couple of comments which are of the nature of disclaimers.Firstly, and as the Chairman has otherwise indicated, I was neither ""born into"" nor have I spent more than a few years of my professional life in the mining industry. I mention this because many might, and perhaps rightly, consider that an added qualification in presenting a report of what the industry has accomplished. Indeed, I am not here to blindly defend all of its actions and inactions in respect to environmental control over the years. Nor am I here to seek absolution of the industry's past transgressions - if indeed that is the word. Mistakes might be a better one. I concluded some time ago that the effects of those mistakes are too difficult to assess against the sea of errors of our total society. I should mention too that I am not an environmental engineer or specialist - only a portion of my interest is involved with this field. Perhaps this permits a perspective which allows a more accurate and objective view.One further comment here. My job today, as I understand it, is to generally report upon the nature and extent of the response of the metals mining industry to control of the environment. In the case of an industry operating at more than a hundred locations and for various reasons at various stages of progress, it is not an easy job. On the other hand, I wanted to avoid the use of generalities because, especially within the context of environmental or ecological opinion and of the practice of condemnation of industrial segments, I think we've had about enough of generalities until we know far more than we do.Finally, I am quite aware that a statement of future plans to achieve environmental control does not impress or satisfy as many people as it may have done some years ago. Public opinion demands to know what is currently underway, today."

Jan 1, 1972

By R. R. Wells, G. M. Potter, A. O. Ipsen

This paper gives results of laboratory and pilot - plant investigations of concentration of western manganese ores during the Bureau of mines manganese-development program initiated in December 1940. The data summarize results obtained from laboratory investigation of concentration of ores from three properties in southeastern Arizona . The high - grade Gray - claims lot B ore , a product of hand sorting , is marketable directly or after sintering treatment . Intermediate - grade lot A selectively mined ore would be marketable after sintering as a plus 35 percent manganese produce , but gravity concentration methods were employed effectively to produce high - grade manganese concentrates with over 80 percent recoveries . Complex association of fine - grained manganese oxides , calcite , and fluorite in a siliceous ground mass limited the recovery of high-grade manganese concentrates obtainable from the low-grade Pyrolusite -group ore . A recovery of 63.7 percent of the manganese was made by flotation in a concentrate that sintered to plus 48 percent manganese grade . The low-grade Davis ore contains iron and manganese oxides too intimately associated to permit production of marketable manganese products . However , good rejection of calcite gangue was obtained by flotation , and the enriched manganese - iron product might have value as a spiegeleisen ore .

Feb 1, 1946

By J. P. Morris, J. T. Novak, E. A. Sarver

"A variety of reagents are utilized in coal preparation, but aside from performing their desired function relatively little is known about the behavior of these reagents within the processing circuits. Where exactly do reagents go once dosed? In this paper, we present preliminary results of partitioning studies on frother (i.e., MIBC) and collector (i.e., diesel) chemicals commonly used in coal flotation, and examine implications for water management (e.g., in closed-loop systems). Additionally, we discuss the usefulness of such data in predicting environmental transport and fate of chemicals – which is currently a top priority for industry.INTRODUCTIONThe purpose of coal preparation is to upgrade mined coal into more valuable products. Since coal is primarily used as a fuel source for electricity generation, product specifications are typically contracted to minimize unwanted constituents that detract from the overall heat value (e.g., ash and moisture) or that add to environmental pollution or other problems like corrosion at a power plant (e.g., sulfur) (Pitt & Millward, 1979). Failure to meet specifications results in a financial penalty for the coal producer (Szwilski, 1986), and thus preparation processes have evolved to simultaneously optimize recovery of valuable “clean” coal with rejection of mineral matter and moisture. In addition to advancements in equipment and circuitry, development and application of various chemical reagents has dramatically improved the performance of coal preparation processes.Contemporary preparation plants typically include multiple circuits that can be categorized by the size of particles they process: coarse, intermediate, and fine/ultra-fine (Figure 1). Coarse and intermediate circuits generally rely on size classification and gravity separations (e.g., dense-media cyclones), and do not require significant chemical reagents. However, fine and ultra-fine circuits often use froth flotation to separate coal from impurities, which requires chemical additives (Table 1). The primary additives include collectors, which coat the surface of the coal particles to render them (more) hydrophobic and thus more likely to attach to air bubbles and float; and frothers, which aid in the formation and stability of the froth that will accumulate the floated coal particles. Modifiers are also commonly added to flotation circuits to regulate pH in instances where coal or impurity characteristics may change water chemistries (Laskowski, 2001). Following flotation, coagulants and flocculants are often utilized in solid-liquid separations (i.e., dewatering or clarification) for coal products, and for tailings slurries prior to their disposal in impoundments. Coagulants function via double-layer compression1 to bring colloidal particles together, while flocculants promote bridging between the grouped colloids – and the combined result is enhanced sedimentation (Wills, 2006). Defoaming or anti-foaming agents may also be required to avoid fouling of dewatering operations."

Jan 1, 2012

By P. W. van Deventer

?Soil quality is the capacity of a soil to function, within ecosystem and land use boundaries, to sustain biological productivity, maintain environmental quality, and promote plant, animal and human health?. In the long-term, vegetative rehabilitation of mining wastes aims at, as far as possible, the proper ecological integration of the reclaimed area into the surrounding landscape, which is sustainable and requires minimal maintenance. A certain succession pattern is therefore needed. Recent ecological concepts recognize the role of the substrate?s quality and nutrients in affecting the rates and directions of succession patterns. Although pedogenesis and eventually soil quality in mine waste are not well known, monitoring of soil quality parameters in kimberlite mine tailings reveal a remarkable establishment and or improvement of specifics oil quality indicators. During the same time the vegetative cover?s total functionality as well as reproductive ability improved. Functions of soil, and thus soil quality, can be assessed at the field, farm, ecosystem, pedosphere, and global scale. It is recognized, however, that management of soil becomes increasingly difficult at larger scales, but for demarcated mine waste sites it is possible to ameliorate and manage and assess soil functions and quality. Therefore the significance of the study is the following: soil functions and quality become inseparable from the idea of system sustainability, and are considered as key indicators of ecosystem sustainability on rehabilitated mine tailings material.

Jan 1, 2008

By M. Saghaeian, R. Hejazi, V. Sheikhzadeha, A. H. Baladastian, A. Dehghani Ahmadabadi

This paper describes research done to remove apatite (phosphorus) from hematite ultrafine (70% finer than 25 micron) concentrate, recovered by electromagnetic separators at the FST Tailing Recovery Plant located in Chadormalu Iron Ore Complex through reverse froth flotation. As a result, iron and phosphorus content in magnetic concentrate (flotation feed) were 53.52% and 0.58%, respectively. Therefore, to increase the Fe content and decrease the P content of the sample, reverse flotation tests were applied. Chemical reagents used in this research consisted of sodium silicate as a depressant, sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate as pH regulators, Alke & Dirol as fatty acid collectors and MIBC as frother. Process parameters including dosages of collectors, depressant and frother, preparation times of depressant and collectors, steps and time of frothing and pH range were selected. After doing flotation tests, in optimum condition, dosages of collectors were 1200 g/t, depressant 1200 g/t, pH in the range of 9.5 to 10, preparation time of collectors in the first step was eight minutes and at the other steps, four minutes; the number of frothing steps 4 and frothing time in each stage was three minutes. In this case, it was observed that the amount of phosphorus in the final concentrate was reduced to 0.05%, the Fe content increased from 53.52% to 61.66% and the Fe recovery achieved was 82.21%. Keywords: Iron ore, hematite ultrafine concentrate, iron and phosphorus content

Jan 1, 2020

By D. Chen

The experiment adopted magnetic separation-priority flotation (first to float copper,then float lead) combined technology to deal with a complex Cu,Pb ,Zn multi-metals ore which has high sulphur content, difficult to separate Cu, Pb ,Zn minerals from sulphur and separate Cu from Pb. Floatable pyrrhotite was separated through magnetic separation which could eliminate the adverse effect on the flotation followed up. And then adopting the priority flotation process to recover the Cu, Pb ,Zn from the magnetic tailings. In priority, flotation Cu, BP(a kind of ethionine ester collector ) and ethyl xanthogenate were used as the collector, LD-1 and sodium sulphite were used as the depressant.The depressants combined with humic acid sodium and lime were used for chalcopyrite ? pyrite separation to further improve the copper concentrate grade. Considering the raw ore that contain 0.32% copper, 0.54% lead and 25.54% sulfur. The copper concentrate grade is 23.61%. The lead content of copper concentrate is only 0.85% . The recovery of copper is 75.03%,and the lead concentrate grade is 54.58%, the copper content of lead concentrate is only 0.81% and the recovery of lead concentrate is 62.24%. The mineral processing indexes were excellent, finally realizing the high effective separation of Cu, Pb , Zn and pyrite. This technique provides a new approach to highly utilize complex copper-lead-zinc ore.

Sep 1, 2012

By R. Tyreman, G. Ritson

"The Red Lake Mine is situated in Balmer Township, Red Lake area in northwestern Ontario. It is an underground mine that has been in production since 1948. The property was originally known as the Dickensen Mine and was shut down in 1996.A feasibility study was carried out in 1998 and it was determined that a new mill should be constructed with a throughput rate of 600 stpd. The life-of-mine average gold grade was projected to be 1.35 oz/t with gold predominantly associated with arsenopyrite and pyrite. Metallurgical testwork indicated that the optimal flowsheet for gold recovery would include an autoclave for oxidation with a carbon circuit for adsorption. To limit capital cost and establish cashflow, the mill was constructed without an autoclave. The recovery by gravity and cyanidation was projected to be 83%. A flotation plant was constructed at the tail end of the circuit to recover the additional gold associated with sulphides from the leach circuit tailings. This material is being stockpiled onsite for future oxidation treatment.Detailed engineering was started in early 1999 and the first gold was poured in August 2000. One feature of the project was the use of Contact Lake equipment from Cameco’s Contact Lake project. The entire mill was purchased and equipment re-used where possible. The capital cost for the process facilities was C$3 1.5 million."

Jan 1, 2001