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By J Lyons, M Hasan, D Pepper, C Vadeikis

Processing of large volumes of ultrafine ores has long challenged mineral processing operators because of lower recoveries and increased tailings. This has led to many deposits, or parts of existing deposits, being viewed as uneconomic. As the mining industry can no longer afford to overlook resources that require finer sizes to achieve liberation or result in high tailings losses, the need for technologies to address these issues has increased. Mineral Technologies (MT) worked with a prominent Australian iron ore producer over five years to implement an innovative gravity separation technology for the beneficiation of ultrafine magnetite. The magnetite mineralisation requires a liberation size of <40 μm and selective rejection of ultrafine silica prior to magnetic separation. Through collaboration with the client, MT applied their Lyons Feed Control Unit (LFCU) technology for the beneficiation of finely grained magnetite. LFCUs are widely used in the mineral sands and iron ore gravity plants, and in tailings applications, to recover water and provide constant high density process streams. This project was an extension of knowledge gained from these applications. Test work was conducted on-site, using 1 t/h pilot and 300 kg/hr laboratory scale units. This test work showed that the LFCUs could reject 20 per cent of feed mass to tails whilst recovering >94 per cent of Fe to product. This upgraded the feed from 53.7 per cent Fe and 19.7 per cent SiO2 to 63.8 per cent Fe and 8.8 per cent SiO2. Recovery by size data showed a minimum 88 per cent Fe recovery to product for <8 μm material and up to 98 per cent Fe recovery for the -38+25 μm fraction. The LFCU rejected 70 per cent of <25 μm SiO2. The information obtained from the test work was utilised in the design of the full-scale units which are due for installation at the project site in 2021. This paper outlines the results of this laboratory and pilot scale test work and how the data obtained was used to design the full-sized units.

Nov 8, 2021

By C. N. Bensley, S. K. Nicol, R. Lamb, G. W. Kidd

Flotation circuits in the metalliferous industry recover high value concentrates from very fine (minus 0.lmm), low grade, slow-floating feeds. Flotation columns acting as final cleaners within these circuits offer the benefits of higher grade concentrates, reduced circuit complexity, improved control and reduced power consumption. By contrast, in the coal industry, these benefits have not been realised, principally because columns are not well suited to the treatment of conventional coal flotation feeds (minus 0.5m). However, this does not imply that columns do not have a place within the coal industry, rather that they must be applied in a role where all the unique advantages of column flotation can be of benefit. The development of a commercial scale column to recover discarded ultrafines from the Riverside preparation plant of BHP-Utah Coal Limited is discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on the column design features pertinent to the recovery of ultrafine coal. Pilot and commercial scale column performances are compared. The results of the commercial scale testwork indicate that a full installation at the 5.5 MTPA Riverside plant would annually recover additional coal worth $US 6.6M.

Jan 1, 1988

By M I. Pownceby, M A. Rhamdhani, W J. Rankin, G Brooks, I R. Ignacio

Steelmaking has a significant contribution in producing greenhouse gases and there is a worldwide push towards decarbonising the process. One of the approaches to reduce CO2 emissions is to use hydrogen in the blast furnace (BF) as the reductant gas. However, hydrogen reduction is an endothermic reaction, bringing changes to the temperature distribution in the BF. Understanding iron ore sinter mineralogy and reducibility under a hydrogen atmosphere is essential to optimise the process. In this study, sinter analogues in the Fe3O4-CaO-SiO2 (FCS) ternary system together with industrial sinters were reduced in H2-rich and CO atmospheres and the resulting reducibility and associated mineralogical changes were observed. Results show that magnetite-lime-silica (MLS) sinter analogues had similar reduction rates under H2 and CO, and also higher reducibility than most of the industrial sinters, suggesting that magnetite sinters could be used efficiently in a conventional or hydrogen blast furnace.

Sep 18, 2023

By Barry W. Klein

The U.S. economy was considerably stronger in 1976 than in 1974 or 1975. Real gross national product (GNP) rose sharply in the first quarter of 1976 and then increased at a more moderate rate for the remainder of the year. The unemployment rate fell until June and then increased for moat of the remainder of the year, finishing at the same rate as it had started the year. The inflation rate continued to decline in 1976. Reasons for the relatively low rate (compared with those of 1974 and 1975) included small increases in food prices and only moderate increases in energy prices. Total U.S. output measured in terms of GNP increased 11.6% in 1976. Real GNP in 1972 constant dollars rose 6.2%. Inflation as measured by the implicit price deflator increased 5.1%. In real terms, gross private domestic investment for residential structures rose 22.7% in 1976 after declining 14.7%a in 1975; State and local Government expenditures increased 1.4% in 1976; and personal consumption expenditures for services rose 4.5%. The Federal Reserve Board (FRB) index of industrial production increased 10.2%.

Jan 1, 1978

By W. L. Austin

AT the Steptoe metallurgical plant, where ore of the Nevada Consolidated Copper Co. is beneficiated, a small copper-leaching annex has been in operation treating flue dust from roasting-furnace dust chambers, together with a siliceous oxidized ore. This leaching plant was designed to obviate smelting low-grade siliceous flue dust, which interfered with the operation of the reverberatories by forming a blanket on the charge The major portion of the copper content of the flue dust accumulating in the upper chambers of the. roaster flue, and at the stack, is water soluble, and also contains much free sulphuric acid and soluble sulphate It was found that sufficient acid could be obtained by mixing this material with water to provide a lixiviant for leaching the siliceous copper o mentioned. This was the sole source of the lixiviant used in the operatic to be described. An analysis of the flue dust showed it to be composed as follows: Per Cent. Copper 3.00 SiO2 23.41 Fe : 4.08 CaO + MgO : 2:72 Al203 6.07 Free H2SO4 19.94 S03 combined as sulphate 25.10 H2O combined With the sulphates 10.67 0 2.50 Total 97.49 Copper soluble in dilute H2SO4 2,56

Jan 7, 1914

By R. J. Schaefer, M. E. Glicksman

Direct, in situ observation of metallic alloys during solidification reveals that in some systems crystal multiplication occurs by means of a dendrite remelt-ing process, without the necessity of independent nu-cleation events. The solidification is observed on optically clean surfaces of supercooled molten alloys. In one system (Sn-3 wt pct Bi) , a fine-grained equi-axed structure is produced by the complete disintegration, via remelting, of transient initial dendrites. In contrast, several other metallic systems show little or no evidence of remelting activity. The behavior of these metallic systems is consistent with that expected on the basis of published observations of dendrite remelting in transparent organic alloy systems. It is concluded that dendrite remelting is an important crystal multiplication process in some metallic alloys, but is velatively unimportant in some other alloys. The detachment of dendrite branches from the primary stem by a remelting process has been observed by Jackson, Hunt, Uhlmann, and seward1 during the solidification of some transparent organic alloy systems. The branches released by this remelting process can drift free of the primary stem and serve as seeds for the formation of numerous independent crystals. This proliferation of new crystals does not require repeated independent nucleation events, but only modification of the initial solidification structure. The mechanism of dendrite remelting, as described by Jackson et a1.1 and by Tiller and O&apos;&apos;Hara,2 is dependent on the transport of both heat and solute and is, therefore, expected to operate only in alloys, and not in pure substances. It was found in the transparent organic alloy systems that remelting occurred primarily in the constricted regions near the base of dendrite branches, where the branches had grown through the solute-rich liquid layer surrounding the primary dendrite stem. It was suggested that impure solid had formed in these constricted regions at a relatively low temperature and had later become unstable as further solidification of purer material raised the temperature. Jackson et al. proposed that the equiaxed zone of metal alloy castings originates from a similar remelting process, and they demonstrated the operation of this mechanism in "ingots" poured from saturated salt solutions. Although these substances were especially selected to show solidification behavior similar to that of metals,3 the remelting mechanism has, until now, been subject to the objection that its operation has not been directly observed in a metallic system. Considering the fact that thermal properties such as diffusivity may differ by as much as two or three orders of magnitude between metals and organic compounds, this objection was considered to be possibly serious. A method has now been developed by which it is possible to make direct optical observations of metals during solidification. This method has revealed transient solidification processes which would not be detected by metallographic examination of totally solidified specimens. In particular, a grain-refinement process in a metallic alloy has been observed to be a direct consequence of the total disintegration of an initial dendritic structure. The influence of an initial, transient solidification structure on the final solidification structure is demonstrated here for the first time in a metallic system. I) EXPERIMENTAL The technique of using a transparent flux to maintain an optically clean metal surface during solidification has been described by us elsewhere.* The

Jan 1, 1968

By H. W. McCue, Henry Rogatz

Oil.—During the year 1939, there were 365 oil wells drilled in the Texas Panhandle, with a total daily initial production of 130,968 bb1.— that is, 69 fewer oil wells drilled than in the previous year, with a decrease. in total daily initial production of 61,738 bbl. The total daily potential of the field on Dec. 5, 1939, as determined by the Texas Railroad Commission, was 1,344,677 bbl., an increase of 94,032 bbl. over the previous year. On Dee. 5, 1939, a daily allowable of 130,527 bbl., which was an

Jan 1, 1940

By Henry Rogatz, H. W. McCue

Oil.—During the year 1939, there were 365 oil wells drilled in the Texas Panhandle, with a total daily initial production of 130,968 bb1.— that is, 69 fewer oil wells drilled than in the previous year, with a decrease. in total daily initial production of 61,738 bbl. The total daily potential of the field on Dec. 5, 1939, as determined by the Texas Railroad Commission, was 1,344,677 bbl., an increase of 94,032 bbl. over the previous year. On Dee. 5, 1939, a daily allowable of 130,527 bbl., which was an

Jan 1, 1940

CONTENTS PAGE Rae, Colin C.-A Possible Origin of Oil. Discussed by S. Linker, Colin C. Rae... 2 Cottingham, Kenneth.-Subsurface Conditions on Portion of Arches Fork Anticline. Discussed by David B. Reger 6 Moyer, W. Irwin.-Time to Pay Out as a Basis for Valuation of Oil Properties. Discussed by H. J. Smith 9 Pogue, Joseph E.-Future Demands on Oil Industry of United States. Discussed by James O. Lewis 11 J. J. Walsh.-Coa-lmine Ventilation. Discussed by W. B. Daly, J. J. Walsh, R. R. Sayers, H. H. Stock, George S. Rice, James W. Paul, D. Harrington, T. D. Thomas 15 Longyear, Robert Davis.-Diamond-drill Sampling Methods. Discussed by Ira B. Joralemon, J. J. Rutledge, E. C. Harder 19 Joralemon, Ira B.-Sampling and Estimating Disseminated Copper Deposits. Discussed by J. Parke Channing, John E. Hodge, E.E. Hunner, B. B. Gottsberger, W. Y. Westervelt, W. O. Hotchkiss 20 Boericke, W. F.-Sampling and Estimating Zinc and Lead Orebodies in Mississippi Valley. Discussed by J. Parke Channing, Arthur Thacher 24 Daly, W. B. and Linforth, F. A.-Organization of Mine Sampling at Anaconda. Discussed by George A. Packard, W. B. Daly, B. B. Gottsberger 25 Norris, E. M. and Rahilly, H. J.-Mine Fires. Discussed by R. Dawson Hall, W. B. Daly, Frank Haas, D. Harrington, Robert E. Tally 26 Raymond, R. M.-Safety Practice for Hoisting Ropes. Discussed by B. F. Tillson, Graham Bright, Rudolph Kudlich, J. F. Howe, Robert Peele, H. G. Davis. 30 Howe, J. F.-Use of Wire Rope in Mining Operations. Discussed by Horace F. Lunt, J. F. Howe, B. F. Tillson 36 Tanner, W. N., and Jaccard, F. C.-Wire Rope and Safety in Hoisting at Butte Mines. Discussed by Horace F. Lunt, W. B. Daly, C. L. Colburn, William Kelly, Robert Peele, B. F. Tillson, Graham Bright, Charles E. Locke 38 Richardson, A. S.-Ventilation of Butte Mines of Anaconda Copper Mining Co. Discussed by D. Harrington, Chas. A. Mitke 42 Stuart, Charles E.-Storage-battery Locomotive as Applied to Mine Haulage. Discussed by Howard N. Eavenson, Charles E. Stuart, William Kelly, Arthur Thacher, W. H. Patton, Graham Bright 45 Woodward, C. D.-Electric Haulage Systems in Butte Mines. Discussed by William Kelly, Graham Bright, Howard N. Eavenson, C. E. Arnold, Gerard B. Rosenblatt, K. A. Pauly 47 Harrington, D.-Efficient Ventilation of Metal Mines. Discussed by R. E. Simpson 52 Otagawa, Masayuki.-Mining Methods at the Ashio Copper Mine. Discussed by Horace V. Winchell, D. W. Brunton 52 Stoek, H. H. and Clagett, Thomas H.-Coal Mining Methods. Discussed by P. D. Browning, G. L. Cox, Erskine Ramsay, Frank Haas, George S. Rice.

Jan 6, 1922

By J. E. Gebhardt, L. Piga, G. Schena

The possibility of beneficiating a low-grade alunite ore from the Tuscany region of Italy was examined. Flocculation and flotation techniques were investigated to separate alunite and kaolinite from the ore, which also contained feldspar and quartz. Flotation was performed at pH 6.5 with oleic acid as collector and sodium silicate as dispersant. A concentrate containing 12% alunite with a recovery of about 65% and a concentrate containing 28% alunite with a recovery of 84% were achieved from the -38-µm feed samples containing 5.0% and 12.9% alunite, respectively. Poor recovery of alunite was achieved by flocculation methods.

Jan 1, 1999

By T. R. Ellis

Australia’s mineral valuation code continues to evolve, while mineral valuation standards are also being written for Canada and Southern Africa. The author is leading a task force for writing the extractive industries addition to the International Valuation Standards. Meanwhile, the International Accounting Standards Board is continuing the development of an extractive industries addition to its International Financial Reporting Standards, with an emphasis on valuation reporting. This paper analyzes the need, content and ownership for a U.S. minerals appraisal standard in the context of both these developing international standards and also existing U.S. regulations and appraisal standards. The author provides many questions for research and debate.

Jan 1, 2003

It is possible to closely simulate the product sizing distribution from an industrial rod mill by the correct choice of parameters in laboratory batch milling. For laboratory batch rod milling, changes in per cent critical speed and per cent rod volume cause the product sizing distributions to move in parallel at a constant slope. For ball milling, larger sized media in batch milling grind more coarse material giving a closer simulation to the industrial rod mill product. Changing the feed size distribution by removal of coarse particles or addition of fine particles changes the product sizing distribution, but would not normally be practiced in laboratory testing. These data should be applicable to many instances where laboratory simulation of an industrial product size distribution is required.

Jan 1, 1998

By Darío Zegarra

El control de leyes es una de las operaciones mineras más importantes puesto que genera especificaciones exigentes para los productos finales, así como minimiza la contaminación, manteniendo los límites de ciertos parámetros de calidad. Sin embago, existe un problema con el método de programación lineal durante el planeamiento de mina. En ese sentido, el presente texto destaca dichos problemas - en tanto existe un manejo estricto de los precedentes en la operación minera y hay una falta de flexibilidad y fácil manejo. Por ello, se han desarrollado sistemas que superen las deficiencias generadas por las firmas proveedoras de equipos como CATERPILLAR, GEMCOM, DATAMINE y VULCAN, combinando las ventajas de un software gráfico con la estrategia de perfeccionamiento de la Programación Lineal.

May 25, 1998

By S. K. Tarby, A. E. Rathke

A series of 0.21 pci carbon steel melts was processed under conditions which sinzulated industrial vacuum degassing practices. The results indicated that the efliciency of carbon deoxidation was not significantly increased by vacuunz degassing at chamber pressures below 100 torr. The two common phenomena of vacuu?rz carbon deoxidation, i.e.,an unaccountable carbon loss and nonequilibrium deoxidation, were observed in this study. Oxygen from adsorbed and chenzically combined water of certain refractory structures was probably responsible for the unaccourttable carbon drop. The nonequzlibrium deoxida-tion phenomenon was adequalely correlated by a bubble nucleation )mechanism. Although the major limiting factor in oxygen removal from these melts contained in alumina crucibles could not be eslablished with certainty, there was some evidence that melt-refractory interactions were not the most imp-portant limiting factor. CONSIDERABLE attention has been given to the use of carbon in conjunction with vacuum degassing* as a deoxidation technique. An advantage of utilizing the reaction: for deoxidation purposes is that the reaction product is gaseous and hence can be effectively removed from the melt. The pressure dependency of Eq. [I] is illustrated by the expression for the thermodynamic equilibrium constant, K: where pco is the partial pressure of carbon monoxide, and hc and ho are, respectively, the Henrian activities of carbon and oxygen in molten steel. The thermodynamic aspects of the C-0 reaction in molten Fe-C-0 alloys have been investigated extensively. Theoretical predictions based on Eq. [2] indicate that, at the chamber pressures reached in most vacuum degassing units, carbon is the most effective deoxidizer that can be obtained. ~ornak&apos; has compared industrial values of carbon and oxygen contents with values calculated from theory, and has shown that on a commercial basis vacuum carbon deoxidation has not achieved the degree of success that is predicted from theoretical considerations of the C-0 reaction. The use of industrial units to determine the reason for this deviation is limited by economics and the difficulty in controlling critical process variables. Therefore laboratory-sized experiments in this area should yield valuable information. Investigations on vacuum carbon deoxidation have been made in experiments conducted under vacuum induction melting conditions where pressures in the low micron range, long treatment times, exposure to highly dynamic vacuum conditions, and relatively quiescent bath conditions have been maintained. Inve~ti~ators~~~ utilizing vacuum induction melting for the production of high-purity iron by carbon deoxidation have concluded that, under high vacuum conditions, melt-refractory interactions constantly supply oxygen to the melt. Thus, it has been suggested that refractory dissociation rather than the C-0 reaction establishes the lowest possible oxygen content of a melt. Thomas and Moreau4 and Bennett, Protheroe, and ward5 have studied carbon deoxidation of Fe-C alloys melted in magnesia crucibles under reduced pressures. The results of both studies differed considerably from those predicted by theory, and the limiting factor for lower oxygen contents was attributed to melt-refractory interactions. Because the refractory material used in both investigations was magnesia, no quantitative measure of crucible reaction could be made and the amount of carbon consumed during treatment was utilized as an indirect indication of the extent of crucible reaction. Studies concerned with the determination of the minimum oxygen content attainable in pure iron and Fe-C alloy material vacuum-induction-melted in various crucible materials have also been conducted."&apos; The suitability of a crucible refractory for use under vacuum conditions appears to depend upon the major refractory constituent, the amount and type of impurity oxides, and the composition of the melt. Meadowcroft and Elliott9 have presented a theoretical review of the type and extent of various refractory reactions which should be considered in vacuum refining. ~eadowcroft&apos;~ considered the vacuum degassing process to be dependent upon the "carbon boil" and has proposed that a part of the difference between the experimental and theoretical results for vacuum carbon deoxidation may be explained by the fact that the pco term in Eq. [2] is not the chamber pressure. Instead, the pressure necessary for carbon monoxide

Jan 1, 1970

By William G. Fischer

This paper attempts to close the gap between extensive rock testing with field measurements and the mine operator&apos;s need for safe mine layouts and alternatives. It was found that many of the variables that influence mine geometry and worker safety are relatively unimportant while others are critical. The development of empirical relationships which tie the critical variables to the "safe useful life" of a trona mine layout and observations made in 140 production areas where the variables were researched over a fifteen year period are discussed. The concepts presented may have applicability in mine design for other bedded deposits.

Jan 1, 1984

By Yue Yu, Hangyu Zhu, Jianli Li, Di Wang

Thestainlesssteelslagastheby-productofsteel-makingplantscontains 2–10 wt% Cr O , and the potential elution of hexavalent chromium impedes the 2 3 utilization as a secondary resource. The reduction of chromium oxide in steel- making slag containing Cr O by FeSi at 1550 °C was investigated in the labora- 2 3 tory. The experiments were performed in a carbon-tube furnace, and the samples collected during tests were analyzed using X Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) equipped Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). The results show that the FeSi addition could efficiently enhance the reductionandrecoveryofchromium.WhentheamountofFeSirangedfrom2upto 9 wt%,therecoveryincreasedfrom65.60%to84.19%.Theoccurrenceofresidual chromium was metal particles, which dispersedly distributed in silicate phases owing to the size limitation. The sufficient FeSi could easily reduce chromium oxidesintometal,butthecriticalfactorofchromiumrecoveryistheprecipitationof suspending metal particles from the molten slag. Thus, some measures should be proposed in order to make sure that the suspending particles are adequate to aggregate into bigger ones. (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1)

Mar 1, 2018

By M Ranjan, C R. Borra, P Palai, P P. Sahoo

Change in mould slag composition during casting of medium alloy steel is caused by the redox reaction between molten steel and mould flux. Mould flux generally contains a certain amount of SiO2, but elements such as Al, Mn and Ti in high/medium alloy steels reduce SiO2 in the mould flux, causing remarkable changes in the composition of the mould slag. As a result, the properties of the mould slag change greatly as continuous casting proceeds. This causes casting instability, process abnormality and casting defects. Effect of Ti as an alloying element in steel on mould slag is studied extensively through high temperature laboratory measurements and plant measurements. TiO2 gets picked up by the mould slag up to 3 per cent during casting a steel grade containing 0.1 per cent Ti. This changes the mould slag composition and results in decreasing the slag viscosity by up to 10 per cent and decreases slag break temperature by 30–40°C.

Aug 21, 2024

By William E. Ford, Edward Salisbury Dana

General Principles of Optics Optical Instruments and Methods General Optical Characters of Minerals 1. Diaphaneity 2. Color 3. Luster Special Optical Characters of Minerals belonging to the different Systems A. Isometric Crystals B. Uniaxial Crystals General Optical Relations Optical Examination of Uniaxial Crystals C. Biaxial Crystals General Optical Relations Optical Examination of Biaxial Crystals 306. Before considering the optical characters of minerals in general, and more particularly those that belong to the crystals of the different systems, it is desirable to review briefly some of the more important principles of optics upon which the phenomena in question depend. For a fuller discussion of the o tics of crystals, special reference is made to the works of Groth (translation by Jackson), Liebisch, Mallard, Duparc and Pearce, Rosenbusch (translation by Iddings), Iddings, Johannsen, Winchell, mentioned on p. 3 also to the various advanced text-goks of Physics. 307. The Nature of Light. - Light is now considered to be an electro- magnetic phenomenon due to a periodic/variation in the energy given off by vibrating electrons. This energy is transmitted by a series of periodic changes that show all the characters of ordinary wave phenomena. The light waves, as they are commonly called, possess certain short wave-lengths that are of the correct magnitude to affect the optic nerves. Other similar waves with longer or shorter wave-lengths belong to the same class of phenomena. Immediately beyond the violet end of the visible spectrum come the so-called "ultra- violet" waves with still shorter wave-lengths and on beyond these we have the X-rays and the "gamma" rays produced by radium. Of the waves having greater lengths than those of light waves we have the waves that give

Jan 1, 1922

By Bart Bartholomew, Randall J. Essex

INTRODUCTION In June of 2004, at the North American Tunneling Conference in Atlanta, an all-day workshop was conducted to review the application of Geotechnical Baseline Reports (GBRs) for underground construction. The moderator for the program was Bart Bartholomew, former President of Fruin Colnon Construction Company. The program involved commentary by a panel of engineers, owners, contractors, and legal representatives within the North American tunneling industry, as well as an extended audience discussion. The panelists were: Peter Douglass, President, Peter Douglass, Inc. Randall Essex, Executive Vice President, Hatch Mott MacDonald Joseph Gildner, Deputy Director for Technical Services, Sound Transit Randall Hafer, Esq., Kilpatrick Stockton Robert Fitzgerald Esq., Watt, Tieder, Hoffer, & Fitzgerald Kirk Samuelson, Senior Vice President, Kiewit Construction Group DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAM FORMAT The focus of the program was to assess the state of the practice in the preparation of GBRs, and to discuss improvements that could and should be made with regard to their preparation, interpretation, and application. The approach used to achieve this focus in the broadest possible way was unique, in that it involved the panelists’ preparation of the workshop format and materials months before the presentation of the workshop. First, each of the six panelists was selected by the moderator based on their reputation and involvement in their respective fields of expertise, taking care to maintain balance and contrast within the collective pool of talent assembled. Following selection and agreement to serve on the panel, each panelist was asked to independently submit to the moderator a list of the six most pressing issues involving GBRs that they each frequently encountered in their individual professional experience. Each was asked to rank their issues in descending order of perceived importance. This process resulting in a pool of thirty-six potential or “candidate” issues for use in the workshop program. Contrary to the moderator’s expectations, there was surprisingly little duplication among the thirty-six issues submitted.

Jan 1, 2005

By H. W. Kasaini, E. Bourricaudy, T. Larochelle

Rare Element Resources Inc., a U.S. based company, has developed a three-stage process for producing a +98% mixed REO powder from hard rock feedstock (-48 mesh, 2.9-4.8% REO) consisting of bastnaesite and ancylite minerals. Firstly, the whole ore is digested in chloride media at low temperature in counter-current flow mode. Secondly, the rare earths (REEs) are selectively precipitated as oxalates directly from an impure pregnant leach solution (PLS). Finally, significant amounts of free acid and water are recovered from the REE-depleted filtrate and subsequently recycled within the process. Excess heat from the oxalate calcination process is captured and reused in the plant. Due to the low leach temperature (45 ºC) and moderate acid dosage (240-297 kg/t, HCl), rare earth oxides (REOs) are preferentially leached out of fine solids leaving most of the base metals (Ba, Fe, and Al ) in the residue. Selective recovery of REEs from the PLS is achieved by mixing dilute oxalic acid (33% H2C2O4) and PLS at elevated temperature (85-95 ºC). The REEs plus thorium are precipitated as oxalates (REE2 (C2O4).xH2O) while the base metals are left behind in the barren filtrate. Multiple batch and pilot test results have confirmed that 50-80% of the oxalic acid can be recovered from the REE-depleted PLS through low-temperature crystallization (10-15 ºC). Typical leach efficiencies of critical rare earths at 45 ºC range from 85-99% (average 93%) while oxalate precipitation at high temperature increases the crystal size of RE oxalates (>450 microns, d80) thereby improving filtration. The economic benefits of this process include elimination of flotation and magnetic separation Capex and driving hydrometallurgical Opex down to $6- 7/kg, REO produced. As part of a comprehensive risk mitigation strategy, Rare Element Resources Inc has operated multiple pilot plants at SGS in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada to optimize counter-current leaching (CCL), REE oxalate precipitation (OXP), and thorium removal circuits. This paper presents pilot testing data from CCL and REE OXP circuits.

Jan 1, 2016