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By Yang Song, Li Shaokang, Wang Zhiqiang, Wang Jinjun, Li Guofeng, Su Meixuan

CaCO3, as a component widely existing in natural minerals, is a common impurity. In recent years, triboelectric separation has been applied to the separation of minerals containing CaCO3. However, the CaCO3’ s tribocharging mechanism is still unclear and the charging effect of CaCO3 is not obvious. In order to study the effect of triboelectric charging of CaCO3 particles under different conditions, according to the single particle frictional collision charge-mass ratio formula derived from the condenser model, an experimental platform for particle tribocharging was built in this paper. Then, the formula of charge-to-mass ratio (Q/m) was derived based on the analysis of the particle force. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) was used to record particle motion trajectories to calculate the Q/m of one particle by this formula. In the experiment, the airflow velocity, tribocharge material, and moving distance of the particles were varied to investigate the variation of the particle charge-mass ratio results. The results show that CaCO3 was negatively charged when tribocharging with mental. The particle’s Q/m is positively correlated with the airspeed. When the metal is triboelectrically charged with the insulator, the metal with a smaller work function leads to the insulator particle with a larger Q/m. As the moving distance of the particles increases beyond 230 mm, the particle charge ratio decreases. The particle charge-mass ratio is consistent with the trend of the charge-mass ratio deduced from the capacitance model.

Jun 3, 2023

By Yong-neng Feng, Xiao-ping Chen, Wei Guo

"While the uniaxial compressive strength of rock has been extensively investigated, the relation between the saturation and natural compressive strength is relatively unexplored. This paper studies on 1865 statistical data of Chongqing Rail Transit Line 1 and Line 6, which located in the Middle Jurassic of Shaximiao formation. The research focuses on the relation between the saturation and natural compressive strength. The statistical data are categorized and quantified in order to ascertain the softening properties of sandstone and sandy mudstone. The findings suggest that the saturation compressive strength is significant effected by its natural compressive strength, and an empirical formula is introduced to explain the relation. These findings have implications for researchers and engineer who concerned with Chongqing rail transit construction.INTRODUCTIONIn the engineering construction and surrounding rock classification, the uniaxial compressive strength index (Ministry of Water Conservancy, 1995; Ministry of Railways, 1999) is one of the essential parameters of rock mass. Usually, there are two types of the uniaxial compressive strength index, natural and saturation compressive strength, and the ratio of them is the softening coefficient. Most of the previous studies on rock strength had focused on the influence factors (Liu et al., 2008; Liu et al., 1998; Liu et al., 2013; Wang, 2013; Zhang et al., 2008; Zhang et al., 2010; Zeng & Lin, 2003) with experiment and in-situ tests. But few publications that reports a long and formal research project on the relationship between natural and saturation compressive strength. In order to figure out this issue, this study investigated the distribution of Solidity Classification of Rock Mass and softening coefficient based on the statistical data of Chongqing Rail Transit Line 1 and Line 6. Based on the analysis, an empirical formula was proposed to explain the relationship."

Jan 1, 2015

By Zhengen Zhou, Dachun Liu, Baoqiang Xu, Bin Yang, Yong Deng, Heng Xiong, Jia Yang

The thermogravimetric method was selected for investigating the evaporation of Sb2S3 in the pressure range of 50–300 Pa and in the temperature range of 823–1123 K, the gas phase diffusion was the rate-determining step for Sb2S3. The volatilization rate was related to the temperature and pressure, that the logarithm of volatilization rate yielded a line with the reciprocal of temperature and pressure. The volatilization rate for Sb 2S3 was between 0–0.023 g/C1 cm−2/C1 s. The apparent activation energy was between 65.8 and 60.6 kJ/mol.

Mar 1, 2018

By QIE Jun-mao, DONG Fang, DENG Hao-hua

The DIL402C thermal dilatometer and STA449C thermal analyzer were employed to test the linear expansion and contraction coefficient，CP and DSC curve of 304 stainless steel. The result showed that the linear expansion coefficient range was 20.9700×10-6～21.5712×10-6 and the linear contraction coefficient range was 21.2528×10-6～21.9471×10-6.The linear expansion and contraction coefficient were higher than other steel grade，so the 304 stainless steel belonged to the crack sensitive steel. Because of the crystal phase transformation occurred during the 1000~1400 ℃,the curve of CP fluctuated obviously and the defects of casting blank occurred easily. Chosen 1414℃ as the liquidus temperature of 304 stainless steel based on the analysis results of DSC. The curve of DSC was unsmooth during 1450～1100℃，the crystal phase transformation occurs and thermal stability of slab was inferior.When the initial solidified shell formed in this temperature range,the thickness of the shell would be nonuniform and the surface defects occurred more easily.

Jan 1, 2015

By Yuanbo Zhang

Keywords: Complex Iron Ores, Roasting, Tin, Zinc, Pellets, Comprehensive Recovery. The complex iron ores containing tin, zinc are typical refractory ores. Large reserves of the ores are found in China and have not been utilized efficiently so far. A new process of tin and zinc recovery and pellet preparation from iron concentrate containing tin and zinc by controlled atmosphere roasting is developed in this investigation. The results of 2573 N/P compression strength of product pellets, the 91.49% and 82.22% volatilization of tin and zinc respectively, are achieved for a concentrate containing 0.39% tin and 0.28% zinc. The strength and chemical compositions of the pellets meet the requirement of blast furnace ironmaking. Volatilization mechanism of tin and zinc are investigated. Thermodynamic study shows that the reduction balance curves of SnO2(s) and SnO(g) are proximate in the presence of carbon, and the standard formation free enthalpy of FeO and SnO2 is also approachable. Therefore, it is difficult to realize the complete volatilization of tin in the form of SnO(g) by selective reduction. But SnO2(s) and SnO(g) will form SnCl4(g) or SnCl2(g) in the presence of chlorides and can be easily volatilized from the ores.

Jan 1, 2005

By X. Tan

In this paper, the application of the metallurgical residue produced from oceanic cobalt-rich crusts leaching process is studied in the area of wastewater treatment. The modification of the sulfuric acid leached residue and the adsorption behavior behaviour of heavy metal ions such as (Pb(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Ni(II), Mn(II), Co(II), As(III)) in the waste-water on the surface of the residue are investigated. The rate of adsorption efficiency of heavy metal ions in the wastewater on the modified sulfuric acid leached residue is investigated. It is showed that when the initial pH value of wastewater containing heavy metal ions including Pb(II), Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and As(III) range from 1.4 to 1.9, with the use of the modified leached residue, As(III) ion can be selectively separated from wastewater, and the separation efficiency can reach 90%~100%. The adsorption efficiency is affected by pH, reaction time, amount of adsorbent and the initial concentration of heavy metal ions in wastewater. The results showed that the optimum pH was natural pH value and the absorption equilibrium time was 2 hours. The adsorption efficiency of heavy metal ions increases with the addition of adsorbent and de- creases with the increase of the initial concentrations of heavy metal ions in wastewater. The heavy metal ions polluted wastewater, of which concentration is about 22.5~793.6 mg/L, can meet the national disposal standard for industrial wastewaters in China very well, after 2 hours treated by 3.75~7.50 g/L modified adsorbent at room temperature. Standard methods were used to investaged investigate the absorption behaviour between abosorbentabsorbent and metal ions in the wastewater. It is concluded that the adsorption behaviour of Co(II), Mn(II) and As(III) ion fits Freundlich iso-therm, while the adsorption behaviour of Pb(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Ni(II) ions fits Langmuir isotherm, and the saturated adsorption amount of the modified adsorbent is about 54.0~336.7mg metal/g?adsorbentabsorbent. It is suggested that the modified sulfuric acid leached residue produced from oceanic cobalt-rich crusts is environmentally attractive and meaningful as absorbent used in heavy metal ions polluted wastewater.

Jan 1, 2014

Study on Treatment of Wastewater Containing Heavy Metal Ions Using Modified Oceanic Cobalt-Rich Crusts

Sep 13, 2010

By J. -H. Wu, S. Nishiyama, Y. Ohnishi

The behaviors and stress distributions of the inclined jointed rock masses with different dip angles obtained from DDA are compared to the results of laboratory tests. By calculating the block stress distributions, it is confirmed that DDA can reproduce the arching around the trap door when lowering the trap door. The shapes of arching change with the angles of inclined layers. In addition, the earth pressures acting on the trap door shows non-symmetrical distributions when the layers are not horizontal. The stress concentration occurs in one side of the rock masses close to the trap door. Furthermore, the surface settlements are also related to the inclined angle, and the loosening zone in rock masses can be different from Terzghi’s theory [1]. Since, simulations have good agreements with the laboratory test , it demonstrates the applicability of DDA to explain the mechanical behaviors of tunnel, such as arching phenomenon, non-symmetrical earth pressure distributions acting on the trap door, and the surface settlement profile in the jointed rock masses. Dans cet article est décrite l’étude numérique du perçage d’un tunnel dans un massif de couches rocheuses jointes inclinées. La simulation à l’aide de l’Analyse de Déformation Discontinue (DDA), en faisant varier l’angle d’inclinaison des couches de roche, nous apporte des résultats en termes de distributions de contraintes et de comportement des couches, résultats qui sont ensuite comparés avec des résultats de tests en laboratoire. Les résultats confirment le fait que la DDA est capable de reproduire le phénomène d’arcage autour de la trappe lorsque la trappe s’abaisse. Les formes d’arcage varient selon l’angle d’inclinaison des couches de roche. Par ailleurs, lorsque les couches ne sont pas horizontales, la distribution de pression agissant sur la trappe est assymmétrique. La concentration de contraintes se produit du coté proche de la trappe. De plus, les tassements de surface dépendent eux aussi de l’angle d’inclinaison. En conséquence, les résultats de simulation sont en accord avec les tests en laboratoire, ce qui prouve que la DDA permet d’expliquer des comportements mécaniques du tunnel tels que l’arcage, les distributions assymmétiques de pression du sol sur la trappe, ainsi que le profil du tassement de surface dans la masse de roches jointes. Dieser Beitrag beschreibt eine numerische Studie über Tunnel im geklüftetem Fels. Das Verhalten und die Druckverteilungen in den unterschiedlich geneigten und geklüfteten Felsenmassen wird mit Hilfe des Discontinuous Deformation Analysis Programms (DDA) simuliert, und mit Laborversuchen verglichen. Die Resultate bestätigen, dass DDA der Gewölbewirkung im „Trapdoor“ Experiment gut reproduzieren kann. Die Form des Gewölbes, ändert sich mit unterschiedlichen Neigungswinkeln der Schichten. Bei geneigten Schichten entstehen unsymmetrische Druckverteilungen. Auch die Oberflächenabsenkung ist von dem Neigungswinkel abhängig. Die gute Übereinstimmung der Simulationen mit den Laborversuchen zeigt, dass die DDA-Methode gut geeignet ist, um das mechanische Verhalten von Tunneln, wie z.B. den Effekt der Gewölbewirkung, die unsymmetrischen Druckverteilungen bei geneigten Schichten, oder die Oberflächenabsenkung in geklüfteten Felsenmassen, zu erklären.

Jan 1, 2003

About 15 per cent of total electricity (400 MkW) was generated by nuclear power plants in the world (2009) and about 36 000 tons of uranium has been mined in uranium mines annually. Radioactive waste material is produced from uranium mines and nuclear power plants. The wastes must be disposed or stored safely for long-term. If they leak and/or move from disposal or storage sites due to air/groundwater flow, then a serious environmental pollution can occur. Hence, multi-layer system has been proposed and employed in order to seal off these radioactive waste materials from biosphere. Basically, bentonite is now used for establishing absorbing and sealing layers in this system. However, the amount of high quality betonite is very limited and in some cases it is hard to be obtained.On the other hand, a great deal of refuse from coal burning plants is produced every year and the amount of it is expected to be higher each year, especially in developing countries. More than half of flyash is utilised and the remaining is disposed at the disposal sites. However, the life of the disposal site is limited and it is diff cult to find a new disposal site. It is requested that the percentage of the utilisation of the flyash be increased in every field.From the above two points of view, a flyash-based barrier layer/cover system is considered in this research and this paper discusses the applicability of flyash as a content of barrier layer/cover material based on the results of a series of laboratory tests.

Dec 6, 2010

By Y. Kumagai, F. A. Souza

"Electroless plating process has been used in many fields such as automobile and electronic industries. Solutions used in these processes must be disposed or treated. Commonly, in these solutions metal ions, organic materials and others chemicals are in very high concentration. It is very difficult to keep the environmental regulations for disposal of these materials, and the cost of the plating process becomes higher.The objective of this study was to investigate the recovery of components of those baths in order to decrease the cost of the plating process as well as to meet the environmental regulation.In this study the recovery metal ions, sulfate ions, phosphite ions and organic compounds were investigated. Organic compounds used in electroless plating solutions are the organic acids. In this work the solvent extraction of the most used organic acids included citric, lactic, succinic, tartaric and malic was studied. The solvent phase considered in these studies was ethyl acetate.About 95% of the metal ion was recovered by chemical plating onto mica powder. The hypophosphite remained is oxidized to phosphite and with the sulfate ion, both are recovered as calcium salts by selective precipitation in pH 7 and 2 respectively. Organic acids were recovered by solvent extraction using ethyl acetate as solvent phase and the best results were for lactic acid and succinic acid.Along with this study, was developed the analytical parameters to perform wastewater analysis by using Ion Chromatography, High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Fourrier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Ion chromatography was used to perform analysis of sulfate and phosphite ions in liquid matrix, HPLC was used to perform analysis of organic acids in liquid matrix and FTIR was used for characterization of the solids obtained in the recovery processes."

Jan 1, 1997

By R. Venugopal, Saxena. V. K., U. Sankrityayan

"There is a dire need of a technology which can break the mineral interfaces to enhance liberation with minimum energy consumption in mineral beneficiation processes. Understanding of mineral crystal system and interfaces is essential to develop such methodology. So, this study is carried out to find out the role of mineral crystallography in milling and liberation. Data related of mineral crystallography, Vickers Hardness Number, Bond Work Index and beneficiation processes were collected from literature and detailed statistical analysis has been carried out to establish a correlation among these parameters. It was found that atomic weight and cell parameters shown statistically significant relationship with Vickers Hardness Number of minerals, which controls the milling characteristics of ores. Liberation characteristics of five different kinds of ores were analyzed considering the types of interfaces between valuable and gangue minerals. It was found that phase interfaces play vita role in liberation and coarser liberation can be achieved in the minerals of incoherent crystal systems like manganese and zinc ores. Study of this subject can help us to understand the effect of stress wave propagation in solids and its effect on crystal interfaces. It can also help us to design a technology of future to break the mineral interfaces.INTRODUCTIONCommunition is energy intensive mineral processing operation and consumes up to 2% of the total electric power generated in the world. Energy consumption due to comminution is increasing every year as there is growing needs to exploit lower grade ore bodies and process rejects (Blazy et al., 1994; DOE, 2005). Low grade ores require crushing and grinding to liberate the valuable minerals which are further separated from gangues by various beneficiation methods like gravity separation, floatation, leaching etc. Currently, comminution methods are selected based on the reduction ratio and energy consumption but effect of grinding methods on subsequent processing methods specially on liberation also need to be studied to optimize the entire beneficiation process. Most of the attempts made in past to minimize the energy consumption in milling to enhance the mineral liberation were focused on compression mechanism, chemical additives, thermal treatment, microwave treatment and electric disintegration (Kilpelm and Austin, 1982; Norgate and Weller et al, 1994; Bearman et al., 1997; Kumar et al., 2010; Wang el al., 2011; Singh et al., 2012). But the role of mineral crystallography on milling and liberation behavior of minerals not fully explored yet."

Jan 1, 2013

By Tiago de Souza, Caroline Gonçalves, Carlos Eduardo de Castro, Everton Dias

The Miraí plant from Votorantim Metais, has two screening stages to the bauxite classification after scrubbagem. The final product has hold the larger size of 0,84 millimeters (20 mesh). There are two sieves Haver & Boecker (model R-TE 3658 x 10972), which have four modules with cut size sieves of 10 mesh (1.70 millimeters) and ¼ inch (6.35 millimeters) on the primary screen, and 20 mesh (0.84 mm) on the secondary screen, all made of polyurethane. The actual configuration was established according to the empirical tests realized that aimed the increase material load on the secondary screening. However, having in mind the screening process improvement and use the fractions smaller than 0,84 mm, which have significant levels of Alumina and low reactive silica, was proposed a new test of change the sieves opening for 6 mesh in the primary screen and 28 mesh for the secondary sieve. The objective of this work was measure the ore alterations on the particle size distribution on the screening steps, increasing the plant weight and ratio recovery before and after the test.

Jan 1, 2014

By Anu Martikainen

Utilization of belt air in underground coal mines has been discussed extensively during the last decade. The Final Report of the Technical Study Panel on the Utilization of Belt Air and the Composition and Fire Retardant Properties of Belt Materials in Underground Coal Mining formed by the Miner Act of 2006 recommends research on leakage, use of booster fans, and escapeway safety. This paper discusses the role of ventilation modeling in evaluating primary escapeway pressurization in a three-entry development system to improve emergency escape in a coal mine using belt air. The intake entry of the NIOSH Bruceton Experimental Mine was pressurized using a 1.1 m (42 in) diameter, 37 kW (50 hp) fan. The work details air movement in the simulated three-entry system and the resulting leakage patterns. Three mine ventilation software packages were compared to analyze their performance in predicting the airflows and leakage conditions with different fan settings. NIOSH researchers found that the measurement results correlated well with the results of modeling.

Jan 1, 2010

By R. H. Grau, C. D. Taylor, A. L. Martikainen

Utilization of belt air in underground coal mines has been discussed extensively during the last decade. The Final Report of the Technical Study Panel on the Utilization of Belt Air and the Composition and Fire Retardant Properties of Belt Materials in Underground Coal Mining formed by the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response (MINER) Act of 2006 recommends research on leakage, use of booster fans, and escapeway safety. This paper discusses the role of ventilation modeling in evaluating primary escapeway pressurization in a three-entry development system to improve emergency escape in a coal mine using belt air. The intake entry of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Bruceton Experimental Mine was pressurized using a 1.1-m (42-in.) diameter, 37 kW (50 hp) fan. The work details air movement in the simulated three-entry system and the resulting leakage patterns. Three mine ventilation software packages were compared to analyze their performance in predicting the airflows and leakage conditions with different fan settings. NIOSH researchers found that the measurement results correlated well with the results of modeling.

Jan 1, 2010

By Shengli Wu, Mingyin Kou, Laixin Wang, Xinliang Liu, Zhennan Qi, Yujue Wang

Softening and melting experiments were conducted on four kinds of imported lump ores named A-D, under different temperature intervals within the self-developed visualization high temperature furnace. By calculating the reduction and shrinking degree under different intervals, softening and melting indexes were determined. These ores all expanded firstly followed by shrinkage with the temperature increasing. The difference of lump ore’s own characteristic led to different softening and melting behavior. The results showed that the looser the structure was, the better the reducibility will be. The compact structure and good reducibility led to high expansion rate. The beginning softening temperature declined and the ending softening temperature increased because of high porosity, which resulted in wide softening temperature interval. The charging ratio of lump ore A should be improved. Lump ore B should be distributed in the center of the blast furnace. Lump ores C and D should be used less.

Jan 1, 2016

By Timo Kankaanpää

Keywords: Solvent extraction, dispersion, phase separation, CFD The liquid-liquid dispersion phases are separated by gravity in a solvent extraction settler. This separation step is made more effective by picket fences. The picket fence geometry and its physical placement have a significant effect on the separation process, because the purpose of a fence is to smoothen and control organic-aqueous dispersion flow in the first part of the settler and achieve a deep and dense dispersion layer in the front end of the settler resulting in a clean phase separation. In this study, physical phenomena in the solvent extraction process and phase separation in a solvent extraction settler with and without picket fences have been examined using a commercial CFX software package. It can be concluded that the used CFD-approach proved to be a complementary tool for optimizing and designing the solvent extraction settler.

Jan 1, 2005

By J Safarian, D Hariswijaya

Treating bauxite residue as an alternative source of metals for iron and aluminium industry is an approach to promote circular economy in metal industries. Reduction of metal oxides with H2-based process is an important step on decarbonisation of metal industry. In this study bauxite residue pellets were prepared and were reduced with different H2-H2O gas compositions at different temperatures which yielded with various degrees of reduction. The bauxite residue pellets were made from a mixture of bauxite residue and Ca(OH)2 powders and sintered at 1150°C. Hydrogen reduction was carried out on the oxide pellets using a resistance furnace at elevated temperatures in controlled reduction atmosphere of H2-H2O gas mixtures which resulted in reduction of iron oxides in the pellets. Unreduced and reduced pellets were subsequently heated to 1400°C to study their smelting behaviour using differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) technique to investigate the evolution of phases related to slag formation via smelting. Equilibrium module of Factsage™ ver 8.1 was utilised to analyse results of thermal analysis. It was observed that Tricalcium phosphate-β (CaP2O8), Bredigite (Ca7Si4MgO16), Rankinite (Ca3Si2O7), and calcium alumino ferrite (Ca[Al,Fe]6O10) were formed during thermal analysis as intermediate phases. The initial slag formation for sintered and reduced pellets occurred at 900°C which mainly contains calcium and small amount of strontium component. The slag formation rate increases significantly starting from 1100°C when iron oxides started to form initial molten slag phase which then followed by other oxides dissolution in the system. Gas formation was observed at 1180°C and it was found that the gas to be released from unreduced pellets is O2 meanwhile the gas to be released from reduced pellets is SO2 gas. Gas formation rate for both pellets start to increase at 1280°C when the remaining chemically bonded gas start to be released from the system.

Jun 19, 2024

By M J. Begbie, P C. Keall, M P. Simpson

The Golden Cross low sulfidation epithermal deposit occurs in pervasively altered andesite of the Waipupu Formation and in the Waiharakeke Dacite. The unaltered, post-mineral Whakamoehau Andesite overlies these units. The Empire zone of the Golden Cross deposit contains a stockwork which is currently mined by open pit methods, and a series of veins that are mined underground. Alteration envelops both the underground and open pit mineralisation. The core of the alteration zone contains silicification, as quartz veins, and adularia. Shallow portions of the system contain illite-smectite and a thermally unstable chlorite, tentatively identified as corrensite, which pass downward into illite and chlorite, respectively. Replacement calcite occurs widely throughout the altered zone; pyrite is nearly ubiquitous. This alteration assemblage indicates formation from near-neutral alkali chloride waters. A late, post-mineralisation alteration assemblage of calcite, smectite, illitesmectite, kaolinite and siderite presumably formed from weakly acidic, steam-heated CO2-rich waters.   We have identified eight stages of vein formation: (1) sulfide veins, (2) black veins, (3) massive veins, (4) banded veins, (5) thin white veins, (6) crumbly veins, (7) massive/platy calcite veins, and (8) flattened rhomb calcite veins. Gold mineralisation occurred relatively early in the lifetime of the system, dominantly during 2 through 4. The late calcite veins (7 and 8) and early sulfide veins (1) are barren.  

Jan 1, 1997

High-sulphidation (HS) gold, silver and/or copper deposits are generated in both the epithermal and the upper parts of the underlying porphyry environments over vertical intervals of up to 2 km. The HS deposits are generated in advanced argillic lithocaps, which are products of the absorption of acidic magmatic volatiles by voluminous groundwater systems. Mineralisation styles in HS systems reflect depth of formation as well as the interplay between structural, lithological and hydrothermal parameters. The deep parts of HS systems, at depths of >1000 m, are typified by disseminated copper¦gold mineralisation comprising digenite, chalcocite and covellite in pervasive advanced argillic as well as underlying sericitic alteration. In highly telescoped systems, such mineralisation may overprint porphyry stocks and associated quartz-veinlet stockworks. Intermediate levels of HS systems commonly contain fault-controlled copper-gold mineralisation, typically as enargite in bodies of vuggy residual quartz, silicification and/or massive pyritic sulphide. The shallow parts of HS systems, at depths of The exploration focus is on four principal HS mineralisation styles:copper (eg Chuquicamata, Monywa) or copper-gold (Wafi) in the deep porphyry-hosted parts of systems preferably, in the case of the latter, where supergene oxidation is limited and, hence, flotation may be used for metal recovery; copper¦gold-bearing replacement mantos and pipes hosted by carbonate wallrocks in the deep parts of systems (eg Bisbee); high-grade gold in late-stage veins or hydrothermal breccias that overprint the intermediate to shallow levels of systems (eg El Indio, Goldfield); and large, bulk-mineable gold deposits in the shallow parts of systems that were subjected to supergene oxidation, thereby permitting heap-leach treatment (eg Yanacocha, Pierina). To these preferred HS styles may be added the low-sulphidation vein or disseminated gold¦silver mineralisation that is commonplace alongside many HS systems (eg Victoria at Lepanto).

Jan 1, 1999

By Greg Corbett

The paper point out the styles of Pacific Rim epithermal gold mineralization. Some characteristics of differing styles of epithermal gold mineralization influence investment decisions (metallurgy, metal ratios, mining style), while others should be taken into account during prospecting (pyrite content and resistivity govern geophysical techniques, vein/breccia styles control drilling, gold distribution influences ore reserve determinations). Two groups of epithermal deposits are distinguished by the fluid style which controls ore and gangue mineralogy. High sulfidation systems develop from the reaction of hot acidic magmatic fluids with host rocks to produce characteristic zoned alteration and later sulfide (dominantly enargite-pyrite) and Au-Ag-Cu deposition. Ore systems display permeably controls governed by lithology, structure and breccias, typically phreatomagmatic breccia pipes, and should be distinguished from a group of generally non-economic acidic alteration including: steam heated alteration, lithocaps or barren shoulders, acid sulfate, and magmatic solfatara alteration.

Apr 24, 2001