control of slimes in problematic ores: selective cu/au/ag mineral separation
DESCRIPTION
Control of Slimes in Problematic Ores: Selective Cu/Au/Ag Mineral Separation. S. Murthy Khandrika Columbia University Cytec Industries, Inc. Center for Particulate & Surfactant Systems (CPaSS) IAB Meeting New York, NY August 2009. Challenge/Goal. Challenge: - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Control of Slimes in Problematic Ores: Selective Cu/Au/Ag Mineral Separation
S. Murthy KhandrikaColumbia UniversityCytec Industries, Inc.
Center for Particulate & Surfactant Systems (CPaSS)IAB Meeting New York, NYAugust 2009
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CHALLENGE/GOAL
• Challenge:• Processing problematic ores containing altered silicates and slimes (fines)
• Goal:• To develop a scientific understanding of the above processing problem• To develop robust chemical methodology for better metallurgical performance (Cu, Au, Ag)
Hypotheses: • Poor separation of desired minerals attributed to:
• Presence of altered silicate (Mg silicates) slimes (fines). For example,• Chlorite: (Mg,Fe,Al)6(Al,Si)4O10(OH)8
• Talc: Mg3Si4O10(OH)2
• Aqueous species generated from these silicates
• Certain Polymeric Modifiers can mitigate these adverse effects
Objective:• Study the effect of functionalized polymeric modifiers in improving
selective recovery of value minerals
HYPOTHESES/OBJECTIVES
Cu
Ca Mg
Si
COMPLEX COPPER ORE CONTAINING ALTERED SILICATES
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EDX data:Value mineral (Cu) content very lowLarge quantity of altered silicates presentChallenge is to selectively separate value mineral (Cu)
COMPLEX COPPER ORE CONTAINING ALTERED SILICATES
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keV
Talc ?
Mica ?
EDX data shows possible presence of talc or mica.Fibrous mineral also noticed.
keV
EDX spectrum
EDX spectrum
Carboxy methyl cellulose
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MODIFIERS
Cyquest 40E
COO -SO-3COO -
Some of the functions of a modifier:Dispersion of slimes
Prevention of heterocoagulationViscosity reduction
ONE POSSIBLE MECHANISM OF MODIFIER OPERATION
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Cu
Cu Cu
Cu Cu
Value mineral
Slimes
Modifier
No Modifier
Simplified operation of a modifier
EFFECT OF MODIFIER 40E ON Cu RECOVERY AND GRADE
Copper recovery improved by 15% upon using modifier 40E
Copper Ore 1
Cu in ore: 0.04%Au in ore: 1.3 g/t
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EFFECT OF MODIFIERS ON Cu AND Au RECOVERIES
Copper and gold recoveries improved upon using modifiers
Copper Ore 2
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Polymer : 150 g/tpH: 9-10
Polymers contain carboxyl and sulfonate groups
Cu in ore: 0.3%Au in ore: 0.81g/t
SUMMARY & CONCLUSIONS
• Polymeric modifiers • Improved value mineral recovery and grade in different ores• Effective in concentrating low grade ore• Performed better than CMC
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Mineral particle-reagent interactions R&DImpact
Knowledge-base: ParticlesDispersionSolution chemistry Reagents
Applications:PharmaceuticalsCosmeticsDrillingMineral ProcessingFoodPulp & Paper
Further develop: New reagentsGreener, sustainable technologies
FUTURE PLANS
• Fundamental and applied studies• Identify pathways for adverse effects.• Elucidate the mechanisms involved.• Spiking experiments on “good” ores.• Solution chemistry studies to identify species
responsible for lower recoveries.• Structure–activity relationships of new modifiers
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Cytec Industries, Inc.
Newmont Mining Corporation
Vale Inco
THANK YOU