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By P. C. Pistorius, D. Kruger, Y. Kacar

Because of its superior properties, stainless steel has been widely used for many applications. Nonmetallic inclusions can influence the quality of stainless steel products. A set of samples was used to track the response of inclusion composition during processing of a heat of titanium-bearing 18% chromium steel, from deoxidation after decarburization, to the solidified slab. The oxide inclusions responded as expected to additions of deoxidizers and calcium treatment, changing from silica to alumina and spinels, and then to calcium aluminates. The samples confirmed that titanium nitride can nucleate on liquid calcium aluminate during steel solidification.

Aug 1, 2021

By I. J. Kotzé, R. T. Jones

Conventional PGM matte smelting requires the presence of a certain quantity of base metal sulphides in order to collect the platinum group metals in a molten sulphidic matte phase in the furnace. Furthermore, the quantity of chromium oxide in the feed materials is controlled in order to avoid the build-up of high-melting chromite spinels in the furnace. Mintek has developed a process for smelting difficult PGM-containing feed materials that contain low amounts of sulphur and/or high amounts of chromium oxide. A DC arc furnace is used to provide the appropriate conditions to generate an iron alloy that collects PGMs very effectively, leaving extremely low residual quantities of PGMs in the slag. Various feed materials have been treated successfully in furnace campaigns running at power levels up to 1.5 MW. The longest of these campaigns was run continuously for more than four months, treating more than two thousand tons of materials such as low-grade concentrates, revert tailings, and converter slag. The campaigns demonstrated the robustness and versatility of the process, and proved that it is possible to sustainably produce a PGM-containing alloy and discardable slags containing an average of less than 1.4 g/t of PGMs over the entire campaign. Keywords: DC arc, smelting, furnace, platinum, PGM, revert tailings, converter slag, ConRoast

Jan 1, 2004

By G. L. Dyer, R. D. Alorro, R. E. Browner

A potential new rare earth extraction process has been suggested (Lazo, et al., 2017) (Lazo, et al., 2018) based on converting the rare earth elements to solid phase rare earth oxalates in an oxalic acid leach. Oxalic acid consumption is a significant issue in the process, therefore to improve the viability of this proposed new extraction method, a process to recover oxalate from the leach solution and recycle oxalic acid is required. A review of the literature and confirmation through thermodynamic analysis of the potential options identified precipitation of calcium or ferrous oxalate as the best potential options. The use of metallic iron to both provide ferrous ions as a precipitant and reduce ferric ions in solution would provide the most economical option, however slow kinetics and unreacted iron created significant issues with this process. The direct use of ferrous ions, while faster and more efficient, produced a precipitate with relatively poor solid/liquid handling characteristics and would require an intermediate stage utilising calcium in regenerating the oxalate. Utilising calcium chloride and oxide created very similar precipitates with better physical properties than the ferrous oxalate and that a reasonable proportion of the oxalate could be recovered before neutralisation of the solution induced precipitation of other phases such as iron oxy-hydroxides and calcium phosphate. The produced calcium oxalate was easily converted to oxalic acid and gypsum via immersion in sulphuric acid. It was also found that there is a significant loss of oxalic acid due to factors other than rare earth oxalate precipitation during leaching. This leads to a maximum oxalate recovery in the range of 50 %.

Jan 1, 2020

By A. P. I. Popoola, D. O. Okanigbe

Copper smelter dust (CSD) is a byproduct of copper smelting and is composed of considerable amounts of copper values and also contaminants (like silica and mullite). Silica in CSD forms Siloxane, a low density material, which is difficult to separate from the aqueous phase during solvent extraction. The need therefore arises to reduce/remove the aluminosilicates for better grade and recovery of copper in subsequent processes. This paper reports the use of two types of centrifugal gravity concentrators, namely Knelson (KGC) and Falcon (FGC), for upgrade of copper in CSD. The aim was achieved by an initial characterisation (Particle Size Distribution (PSD) and mineralogical analysis), together with Density Separation (DS) experimentation, premised on a hypothetical density difference between copper oxide and silicon/aluminum oxide. Wet screening results showed that 88.52 % of CSD particles were in -53 μm fraction. Further PSD study using laser diffraction showed the -53 μm fraction to be composed mainly of 26 μm, 22 μm and 18.5 μm fractions. Mineralogical analysis showed copper to occur mainly as oxides (24.34 wt%), but also as sulphides (7.95 wt%), and a substantial amount of aluminosilicates (42.97 wt%) were identified. Density of CSD was determined as 2.83 g/cm3. Copper content (18.02 wt%) in CSD was upgraded to 35.94 wt% in concentrate using KGC. In conclusion, the results showed good convergence between hypothesis and experiment. Additionally, it was also concluded that KGC performed better than FGC for copper upgrade in CSD. However, roasting CSD prior density separation was recommended for enhanced copper upgrade. Keywords: Copper smelter dust, density separation, solvent extraction, mineralogy

Jan 1, 2020

By T. Vincent, J. Steele, C. Debrunner, M. Whitehorn

This paper presents current work on the development and use of stereovision for underground mining. Information on the calibration of the cameras and the feature-matching algorithm are presented. This system uses an intensity-based approach that evaluated correspondences along the epipolar line. Once features have been identified and their distance from the cameras computed, a three-dimensional map of the muck pile is developed. The approach used here uses a ray-tracing algorithm. This approach provides an uncertainty measure along with the elevation. A discussion of the use of this modelling information in the control of the LHD is included. Keywords: Robotics, automation, LHD, underground mining, vision sensing, task automation, tele-operation

Sep 1, 2001

By A. F. Silva, R. Dockendorff, J. M. Girao Sotomayor, V. F. Navarro Torres, C. Castro

This paper shows the importance of performing probabilistic analyses in open pits, especially for mine planning, which can lead to more efficient ore extraction and meeting the acceptability criteria for safety in mine slopes. Three-dimensional stability analyses were performed to evaluate the future geometry of a large open pit for iron ore extraction in Brazil. The strength parameters of the lithologies were calibrated using ruptures in the pit walls. After determining the factors of safety (FoSs) from the calibrated parameters, probabilistic analyses were performed using the total range of values of each parameter under different field conditions to verify the reliability of the initial analysis. In this sense, it was possible to plot the probability of failure (PoF) and the FoS on the graph of slope height versus slope interramp angle (IRA) for the future pit in each lithology. IRA recommendations are made for two scenarios: (1) the best scenario: dry without ubiquitous joints and (2) the worst scenario: the water table at 10 m depth with ubiquitous joints in the most unfavourable direction. The results show that probabilistic evaluation is an important tool for establishing alert mechanisms in slopes that can be termed stable.

Jul 2, 2022

1. Book review Technology of metal powders- recent developments, edited by L. H. Yaverbaum. New Jersey, Noyes Data Corporation, 1980. 400 pp. (Reviewer: B. K. Loveday) 2. New books The use of microprocessors, by M. Aumiaux. New York, Wiley, 1980. 176 pp. $25,50. Aluminium smelter technology, a pure and applied approach, by K. Grojtheim and B. J. Welch. Diisseldorf, Aluminium-Verlag GmbH (P.O. Box 1207, D-4000, Federal Republic of Germany). 146 pp. DM48. Coal-bridge to the future. New York, Harper & Row, 1980. $35. System modeling and response.. theoretical and experimental approaches, by O. Doebelin. New York, Wiley, 1980. 576 pp. $26. Environmental and climatic impact of coal utilization, edited by J. J. Singh and A. Deepak. New York, Academic Press, 1980. 646 pp. $39,50. Proceedings of the Third European Conference on Mixing, York, England, April 1979, edited by H. S. Stephens and C. A. Stapleton. BHRA Fluid Engineering (Cranfield, Bedford Mk43 OAJ, U.K.), 1980. 2 volumes. 500 pp. $50. Lignite technology, edited by P. Nowacki. New Jersey, Noyes Data Corporation, 1980. 228 pp. $42. The application of rock mechanics to cut-and jill mining. London, Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, 1980. Papers presented at the Fifth International Symposium on Jet Cutting Technology, Hanover, Federal Republic of Germany, June 1980, edited by H. S. Stephens and B. Jawis. BHRA Fluid Engineering (Cranfield, Bedford Mk 43 OAJ, U.K.), 1980. 438 pp. £38. World coal resources.. methods of assessment and results, by G. Fettweis. Amsterdam, Elsevier, 1979. 425 pp. $80,50. Geophysical and geochemical techniques for exploration of hydrocarbons and minerals, edited by M. Sittig. New Jersey, Noyes Data Corporation, 1980. 300 pp. $40. Financial Times mining international year book 1980. Longman Group Ltd (Periodicals and Directories Division, Longman House, Burnt Mill, Harlow, Essex CM20 2JE, England). £24 surface, £34 airmail. National Symposium on the Availability of Strategic Minerals, edited by M. J. Jones. London, Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, 1980. 109 pp. 3. NIM reports Report No. 1941 The recovery of chromite and platinum from the UG-2 Upper Chromitite Layer .of the Bushveld Complex at the Pandora Mine (first published 10th Mar., 1978). Report No. .2012 A mineralogical investigation of borehole cores from the Trompsburg Complex (first published 6th Apr., 1979). Report No. 2038 The leaching of sphalerite in acidic ferric sulphate media in the absence of elemental oxygen. Report No. 2052 An investigation of the impurities in native gold by neutron-activation analysis. Report No. 2056 The mineralogy and geochemistry of the copper, lead, and zinc sulphides of the Otavi Mountainland. Report No. 2058 A n elementary introduction to image analysis - a new field of interest at the National Institute for Metallurgy. Report No. 2059 Distributed computer control of industrial processes. Report No. 2060 The analysis, by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry, of activated charcoal.

Jan 1, 1980

By R. R. M. Cousens, W. S. Garrett

SYNOPSIS The paper gives a background to the water hazards of the so-called West Wits Line and refers to some geological aspects of the Wonderfontein Valley in which the West Driefontein mine property lies. It describes the precautions taken against flooding during shaft sinking, development and stoping; these include cover hole drilling with cementation, provision for water storage in worked-out areas, installation of water tight bulkhead doors and pumping capacity well in excess of the mine's normal requirements. The plan of campaign adopted after the inrush took place is explained and the reorganization and expansion of pumping arrangements are discussed. When it became clear that the only means of saving the mine was to construct plugs to isolate the inrush while still maintaining all emergency pumping measures, the work was put in hand with the utmost dispatch. In considering the design of the plugs a number of major factors had to be taken into account. The most vital was the need for speed which was complicated by difficulty of access to the plug sites because of the huge volumes of water flowing in the drives. How this and other factors affecting plug design and construction, leakage problems, sequence of operations and final closure of the valves, were overcome is detailed in the paper. INTRODUCTION The inrush of water into the West Driefontein mine, the biggest gold producer in the world, which began on 26th October, 1968 and continued unabated for 23 days before the flood was stemmed, was unprecedented in the history of mining. Also unprecedented were the tremendous efforts and organization which made it possible to bring the situation under control and so save the mine from being lost for a matter of years. BACKGROUND Before going into details of how the situation was brought under control it is appropriate to consider the background to the event. The water problem on the so-called West Wits Line has been recognized for many years. As far back as 1912 the Pullinger Shaft, situated in the centre of what is now the Venterspost mine property, had to be abandoned because there were no means then available of coping with the large quantity of water encountered. To appreciate what vast quantities of water were involved, it helps to refer to some geological aspects of the Wonderfontein valley in which the West Driefontein property lies. The narrow tabular Witwatersrand gold-bearing beds, which dip at about 25 degrees towards the south, are overlain by a surface layer of dolomite which reaches a maximum thickness of some 4,000 ft at West Driefontein. A number of vertical syenitic dykes intersect the valley more or less at right angles to its course (Fig. 1). These dykes are about 150 ft thick on average and are spaced at about eight-mile intervals in the West Driefontein area. They penetrate both the dolomite and the Witwatersrand beds and as they are impervious to water they divide the valley into a series of large underground water compartments.

Jan 5, 1969

"Chairman: Professor H. S. SICHEL Rapporteur: Miss M. I. WATSONPapers:Unrolling of Copperbelt orebodies by J. H. E. Perry and V. H. WiikAn exploration model for tabular orebodies by G. S. Koch and R. F. LinkHarmonic analysis of copper and gold occurrences in the Arbitibi area of the Canadian Shield by F. P. Agterberg and A. G. FabbriMathematical models of orebodies by M. J. Newton and A. G. Royle Estimation of lateritic-type orebodies by A. JournelIn his presentation Mr Wiik said that unrolling could be regarded as a reversal of the natural process of folding, so that the aim of an unrolling procedure would be the reconstruction of original pre-tectonic conditions. While simply formulated, this aim might not always be achieved. The geometrical relationship between points on the deformed surface and corresponding points on the original surface is process-dependent, and a true reconstruction could be achieved only if the deformation history were known in detail.In this computer unrolling procedure all these complexities were ignored. Referring to one particular marker horizon, Mr Wiik said that it was assumed in the procedure that this marker was deposited as a horizontal stratum and that it had subsequently been deformed by simple flexure-type folding.The procedure allowed the geologist to incorporate his knowledge and conception of the deposit through repeated re-contouring with dummy points. This 'manumatic' aspect of the procedure had proved invaluable, not only in resolving specific unrolling problems but also in making the system more acceptable to the geologists in general.Unrolling served towards removing what might be termed `tectonic noise' superimposed on the primary distribution patterns for regionalized variables such as metal content and orebody thickness. From this point of view, variograms derived on the basis of unrolled-plan co-ordinates should be more meaningful in terms of depositional environment than are variograms calculated from a normal map projection.Mr M. M. Oosterveld remarked that it appeared from the paper that there were problems in applying the unrolling technique to ore reserve calculation, and asked whether there were not other methods that might be used for that purpose.Mr Wiik replied that at present unrolling played only a minor role in practical ore reserve estimation within Roan Consolidated Mines, Limited. The techniques currently in use differed from one orebody to another, but in general they involved projection onto a vertical longitudinal section or a horizontal plan, with subsequent grid interpolation by means of a standard computer contouring package."

Jan 1, 2014

By J. Du, V. Shukla, C. R. Kumar, U. Shivangi, D. P. Chakraborty

During the processing of iron ores, a large quantity of low-grade tailings containing abundant iron values in fine particle size range is produced. Due to the increasing demand in the high-grade ores for metallurgical operations and the stringent environmental conditions imposed on mining activity, it is essential to utilise the waste tailing pond slimes. Recovery of iron values from these tailing ponds not only enhances the life of the existing operating mines, but also enables achievement of a sustainable process. Iron ore tailing/slime (-150 μm) is produced after scrubbing and wet screening of a low-grade iron ore. Tailing beneficiation of iron ore has been addressed either by flotation or wet high intensity high gradient separation. The present paper aims to recover iron values from discarded slime containing assay ~56% Fe, ~6.5% SiO2, and ~7.0% Al2O3 from the Noamundi processing plant by using a high gradient magnetic separator (HGMS). In this process, tailings are effectively processed with a vertical pulsating high gradient magnetic separator to produce a relatively high-grade iron concentrate. The results of investigation indicate that this novel process is capable of producing an iron concentrate assaying ~ 60% Fe and ~3.25% alumina with a yield of ~55 % on weight basis and recover > 65 % iron bearing particles from the tailings. More importantly, the corresponding tailing contained ~45% Fe. It was concluded that this novel process may be effectively used to recover iron values from low-grade hematite tailings. Keywords: Iron ore slime, Fe recovery, HGMS, yield, Noamundi

Jan 1, 2020

By M. Izadi Yazdan-Abadi, S. H. Amiri, M. Ramezanizadeh, M. Bazmandeh

Iron ore concentrate is used as the fresh feed of pelletising plants. The green pellet properties depend on iron concentrate characteristics such as particle size distribution (PSD), specific surface area (Blaine value), iron grade, moisture content and grinding methods. The grinding methods affects particle size distribution and Blaine value. To find out the effects of grinding methods on pelletising process, green pellets were produced with concentrates that were reground by means of HPGR (high pressure grinding rolls) and ball mill. The Blaine values of ground concentrates in both types of milling were approximately 1400, 1600 and 1800 cm2/gr. The results of green pelletising tests on a pilot plant scale showed that at the same Blaine values, drop numbers of green pellets produced by ground concentrate inside HPGR were higher than the green pellets produced by ground concentrate inside a ball mill. Also, reground concentrates by means of HPGR, in comparison with ball mill, caused the production of green pellets, at higher wet and dry compression strengths. As a result, it was found that preparing the pelletising feed by means of HPGR led to more positive effects on the properties of green pellets. Keywords: Ball mill, HPGR, green pellet, drop number, wet and dry compression strengths

Jan 1, 2020

By O. A. Olaseinde

The 2101 lean duplex stainless steel has wide potential application in storage, heat exchangers, and in the oil and gas industries. This work investigates the electrochemical behaviour of 2101 duplex stainless steel with an addition of 0.15 wt% ruthenium, using potentiodynamic techniques in 1M H2SO4 at 25º, 40º, 60º, and 80ºC. The microstructures of samples were characterized using optical metallography and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the ruthenium addition moved the corrosion potential of alloy 2101 to a more positive potential. All samples containing ruthenium displayed longer passive regions at 25°C and 80°C compared to those without ruthenium. Alloys without ruthenium had higher critical current density (icrit) values when compared to the alloys with ruthenium. Ruthenium additions decreased the passive current densities and inhibited anodic dissolution. At room temperature the corrosion rate of alloys with ruthenium was lower than these without ruthenium.

Jan 1, 2012

By B. G. Meyburgh

E. H. D. Carman: The results achieved at Buffelsfontein Gold Mining Company Limited are very encouraging and it seems certain that as far as the conventional uranium recovery process is concerned solvent extraction must entirely supplant the old resin ion exchange process. The operational costs given by Mr Meyburgh indicate that the chief cost items in solvent extraction are reagents. In other words 38.4 per cent of the operational cost at Buffelsfontein is due to the replacement of the organics lost from the plant. It is reported from a wide field of experience that loss, particularly of amine, is a direct function both of the quantity and nature of finely divided suspended solids in the pregnant solution and the extent to which the design of the mixers causes the formation of secondary dispersions which do not easily separate in the settler. There is in addition the unavoidable loss of amine due to its solubility in the aqueous solution which is thought to be about 4 p.p.m. In order to minimise solvent losses therefore, efficient clarification at the head of the solvent extraction plant would appear to be a most important requirement. For this reason the newly erected plant at West Driefontein Gold Mining Company Limited has two Funda Pressure Filters each with a filtering area of 540 sq. ft. which are together designed to handle up to 440 g.p.m. of filtrate. This plant has not yet been commissioned but preliminary testing indicates that suspended solids in the sub micron size range which do not settle even on protracted standing of the solution, will rapidly blind the clarifiers. This should not affect solution clarity but frequent backwashing adds to the cost of precoating. The difficulty was countered in the laboratory with continuous additions of filter aid in addition to the precoat but, as Table 11shows, cost of filter aid is high and its use will have to be optimized against organic losses due to less efficient clarification. This will need much careful observation over a relatively long period of time. Costs shown in Table 11 are based on Mr Meyburgh's figures adjusted to probable conditions at West Driefontein Gold Mining Company Limited. The assumption based on small scale testing is that it will cost 5.2c/ton in filter aid to clarify filtrate to a level of about 5 p.p.m. of suspended solids, in order to restrict the amine loss to 10 p.p.m. which is likely to be equivalent to an entrained organic loss worth approximately only 2.6 cents per ton. Of course poor clarification as mentioned earlier is only one of two or even more causes of organic losses and it seems obvious on the above basis that the operation and economics of pressure clarification will need close investigation. A second important consideration at West Driefontein has been the design of the pump-mixers which must perform the dual function of phase mixing and providing the necessary hydraulic gradient for counter current flow of the two phases. The arrangement is shown in Fig. 1.

Jan 10, 1970

By J. K. Williams, M. P. Wells

"As part of the planning system at each division of Nchanga Consolidated Copper Mines, Limited, the Mine Planning Department is required to produce a detailed production schedule for each shaft.Because of the difficulties in producing a schedule which satisfies all the mining constraints, and because of the large clerical effort involved, the full range of possible schedules can never be considered.It has been found possible to produce a schedule using linear programming which satisfies the majority of the many varied mining constraints. Computer programs have been written to enable the mine planning department to use this mathematical system without assistance.The system has a large degree of flexibility to enable the planner to include conditions which cannot be incorporated readily in the linear program. This system permits the more efficient production and evaluation of schedules and reduces the amount of clerical effort."

Jan 1, 2014

By V. Sheikhzadeh, M. R. Sheikhzadeh, A. Haratian, M. Zare

High Pressure Grinding Roll (HPGR) as an efficient grinding technology plays a major role in mineral processing plants. Investigating the effects of this technology on different parts of mineral processing circuits reveals this technology’s capability. In this paper, HPGR grinding effects on an iron ore beneficiation circuit, in comparison with conventional crushing systems were studied. A representative feed sample was taken from an iron ore beneficiation plant, then crushed to minus 6 mm in a laboratory by two methods: HPGR and cone crusher, and finally a concentrate plant circuit was simulated. Plant simulation was performed by doing laboratory tests consisting of grinding, magnetic separation, flotation and filtration on HPGR and cone crusher products, respectively. According to comminution tests results, in particle sizes smaller than 6 mm, a cone crusher product is coarser than an HPGR product. Also, the Bond ball mill work index of the HPGR product was 10% less than the crusher product. Therefore, based on the Bond formula in applying HPGR, ball mill power consumption decreased by 12%. After ball milling to minus 100 microns, magnetic separation tests results showed that the recovery of the cone crusher circuit output was 90.8% and the product Fe grade was 66.4%. For the HPGR circuit these figures were 87.6% and 67.3%, respectively. Therefore, by using an HPGR, a higher Fe grade of the final concentrate was achieved. A flotation test was then performed on the magnetic separation concentrate, where the results showed that the crusher circuit recovery and the sulfur grade of the product were 96.5% and 0.192%, respectively; whereas the HPGR circuit recovery was 97.2% with a sulfur content of 0.185%. Findings revealed that flotation performance in the HPGR circuit was more efficient than the crusher circuit. Vacuum filtration tests on concentrate produced through the HPGR circuit resulted in a moisture content of 12% that was 2% higher than the crusher circuit’s concentrate in the same condition. Keywords: High pressure grinding roll, power consumption, magnetic separation, flotation, filtration

Jan 1, 2020

By Huanhuan SU, Jianqiang Zhang, Zhongyuan Liu, Junwei Ma

The high-sulfur bauxite in Henan Province was used as raw material. The grinding fineness, pH value and collector dosage on its desulfurization performance, and industrial flotation desulfurization process were studied. The best flotation desulfurization conditions were grinding fineness of 75%, pH of 8.5, and collector of 600 g/t. “One coarse, one cleaning and one sweep” closed-circuit flotation was established as the industrial flotation desulfurization process. After the closed circuit test, the sulfur content of aluminum concentrate with the yield of 93% was 0.23%, and the sulfur removal rate was 83.16%, and the sulfur content of tailings (sulfur concentrate) was 15.09%. Keywords：High-sulfur bauxite under coal mines, flotation, desulfurization

Jan 1, 2020

Proceedings of the Ninth International Symposium on Techniques for Decision-Making in the Mineral Industry, Montreal, June 1970. The Ninth International Symposium on Techniques for Decision-Making in the Mineral Industry was sponsored by The Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, McGill University and Ecole Poly technique. The programme included 71 papers on various topics, as follows: Market Analysis and Logistics Planning; Quantification of Geological Variables; Blending; Capital Investment Decisions; Mining; Financial and Economic Analysis; Search for Mineral Deposits; Market Forecasting and Strategies; Operations Research in Process Modelling; Ore Reserve Estimation; Management Information Systems; Optimization and Control of Mineral Processes. In addition to general sessions, a special feature of the Symposium was Executives' Day, which was held to provide top and middle management with a broad understanding of the usefulness of decision-making techniques and their role in the mining organization. Panel Discussions and two keynote speakers provided a review, in non-technical terms, of the areas in which decision-making techniques have proven valuable. The present volume contains 65 papers submitted for publication, along with a complete account of the Executives' Day discussion. It is broadly divided according to the above subject headings. Approximately 550 pages, illustrated. Price: $15.00; $12.00 to students, plus 50 cents for handling costs. Order now from CIM headquarters: Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 906-1117 Ste. Catherine St. W. Montreal 110, Quebec.

By Y. G. Zhu, G. B. Zheng, X. X. Hu

Reverse flotation by cationic collectors is the classical method to reduce the silicon content in magnesite. But because of the low selectivity, there is a large loss of magnesite in the reverse flotation froth. To improve the efficiency of the collector, a novel collector named BK433 was developed in this paper. In order to determine the performance of the BK433 collector, a systematic experimental study was carried out with a high silicon magnesite in China. The suitable pH environment of slurry was confirmed, the depression effect of different depressants was investigated, and the flotation effect was compared with commonly used traditional collectors. The results show that the BK433 shows remarkable good selectivity and collection ability. After the 4 stages reverse flotation, the SiO2 content decreased from 3.76% to 0.25%, SiO2 impurity removal rate reached 94.69%. Meanwhile, the MgO content increased from 45.06% to 46.73%，the recovery of obtained concentrate (calculated by MgO) was 82.79%. Keywords: Magnesite, Desilicication, Reverse flotation, Collector

Jan 1, 2020

By W. Guiye, L. Chongjun, L. Huinan, Z. Yangge, H. Long

The current application of copper-molybdenum (Cu-Mo) separation inhibitors is often associated with large dosage, high toxicity, environmental pollution problems. In order to solve these problems, a light sensitive Cu-Mo separation inhibitor LS（light sensitive inhibitor，abbreviated to LS） was developed. In this paper, inhibitory performance, photodegradation rule, and acting mechanism of LS were studied. The subsequent test results showed that, compared with traditional inhibitors, LS has shown comparative advantages, with lower dosage and good inhibiting effect. A series of flotation tests with LS as inhibitor were conducted on a Cu-Mo concentrate. A locked-cycle test showed that a molybdenum concentrate containing Mo 49.88% and Cu 0.6%, with 93.23% molybdenum recovery and a copper concentrate containing Cu 29.92%, with 99.99% copper recovery can be obtained. The photodegradation performance of the reagent was investigated under 365 nm, 254 nm and sunlight irradiation. The degradation of the reagents could be completely achieved by irradiation of three wavelengths of light. However, with the different wavelength of irradiation light, the degradation rate is different, the time required to reach 50% degradation rate being 3 h (254nm), 4 h (solar light) and 6 h (365nm) respectively. The inhibition mechanism on chalcopyrite was studied. FTIR study showed that LS could be adsorbed on the surface of chalcopyrite by chemical adsorption, which could enhance the hydrophilicity of chalcopyrite. Ultraviolet adsorption tests indicated that the adsorption capacity of LS on chalcopyrite surface was greatly affected by pulp pH value, and the proper pH value was 5-9. Keywords: Copper-molybdenum separation, Inhibitor, Light-sensitive, Photodegradation, Mechanism.

Jan 1, 2020

By P. F. Dicks, N. J. Shackleton, E. H. W. Theron, V. Malysiak

Flotation is a complex physical chemical process in which flotation reagents play a vital role in valuable minerals recovery and concentrate grades. This study examines the performance of new generation AECI Mining Chemicals (previously named Senmin) collectors. They were developed to enhance the valuable minerals recovery and flotation selectivity by tailoring the collectors to target specific valuable mineral species present in an ore and thus create added value for concentrators treating PGM ores. The case study was conducted on a Platreef ore, where batch flotation tests were performed and the concentrates were mineralogically characterised for PGE and BMS using QEMSCAN. Further batch flotation testwork was conducted on Merensky and UG2 ores from various localities in South Africa to confirm the trends observed for Platreef ore. The results have shown that there is a strong correlation between PGE mineral type and AECI Mining Chemicals collector type - clearly demonstrating that one reagent type does not fit all flotation applications. Keywords: Batch flotation, QEMSCAN, collectors, PGE and BMS

Jan 1, 2020