Geometallurgical Approach for Implications of Ore Blending on Cyanide Leaching and Adsorption Behavior of Witwatersrand Gold Ores, South Africa

Nwaila, Glen T.; Ghorbani, Yousef; Becker, Megan; Frimmel, Hartwig E.; Petersen, Jochen; Zhang, Steven

doi:10.1007/s11053-019-09522-4

Cited by 17 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…To fully leverage the potential of blending, continuous monitoring, and feedback loops, parallel to mineralogical analysis, are essential. Such an integrated approach ensures that the feed remains within the optimal range, minimizing the challenges associated with fluctuating ore qualities and promoting a more efficient flotation process. − An optimized blending strategy is not just about mixing different ores; it is about understanding the mineralogical complexities and designing a regime that maximizes the recovery of copper.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Iron Oxide–Copper Mineral Associations in Supergene Zones: Insights into Flotation Challenges and Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology

Oumesaoud,

Faouzi,

Aboulhassan

et al. 2024

ACS Omega

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In this study, batch flotation tests were conducted to investigate the flotation of oxidized copper ore from the supergene zone of the Bounhas deposit. Utilizing the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) anchored on the Box-Behnken Design (BBD), the effects of parameters such as collector dosage, sulfidizing agent, copper oxide and iron oxide grades, and particle size on copper recovery were explored. ANOVA and response surface plots elucidated the complex behavior of copper flotation. Mineralogical analyses of the initial feed and postflotation tails were performed on an industrial scale using advanced Zeiss microscopy. The quadratic model with an R 2 of 94.49% accurately captured the impact of the process parameters on copper recovery. Among the key findings, the sulfidizing agent exhibited the most substantial quadratic effect, while the copper oxide grade had the most substantial linear impact on recovery. A pivotal observation was the link between copper losses in tailings and specific iron oxide-copper associations. Optimization identified conditions leading to a maximum copper recovery rate of 71.49%. When validated industrially, the model demonstrated robust applicability for analogous mineral processing contexts. The study’s mineralogical insights enhance our understanding of the supergene zone mineralization and offer a solid foundation for subsequent in-depth mineral processing studies.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Iron Oxide–Copper Mineral Associations in Supergene Zones: Insights into Flotation Challenges and Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology

Oumesaoud,

Faouzi,

Aboulhassan

et al. 2024

ACS Omega

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“…(3) pyritic facies-a pyrite-bearing unit that is typically well-mineralized (Henry & Master, 2008;Fuchs et al, 2016). Similar facies were recognized by Nwaila et al (2020aNwaila et al ( , 2020b in the Carletonville goldfield. The gold-bearing quartz-pebble conglomerates of the Black Reef Formation are dominantly composed of quartz, pyrite, phengitic white mica, clay minerals, carbonates, chromite, zircon, rutile, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, galena, uraninite and native gold (Fuchs, 2015).…”

Section: Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 90%

Constraints on the Geometry and Gold Distribution in the Black Reef Formation of South Africa Using 3D Reflection Seismic Data and Micro-X-ray Computed Tomography

Nwaila

Manzi²,

Zhang³

et al. 2022

Nat Resour Res

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Geological and geophysical models are essential for developing reliable mine designs and mineral processing flowsheets. For mineral resource assessment, mine planning, and mineral processing, a deeper understanding of the orebody's features, geology, mineralogy, and variability is required. We investigated the gold-bearing Black Reef Formation in the West Rand and Carletonville goldfields of South Africa using approaches that are components of a transitional framework toward fully digitized mining: (1) high-resolution 3D reflection seismic data to model the orebody; (2) petrography to characterize Au and associated ore constituents (e.g., pyrite); and (3) 3D micro-X-ray computed tomography (lCT) and machine learning to determine mineral association and composition. Reflection seismic reveals that the Black Reef Formation is a planar horizon that dips < 10°and has a well-preserved and uneven paleotopography. Several large-scale faults and dikes (most dipping between 65°a nd 90°) crosscut the Black Reef Formation. Petrography reveals that gold is commonly associated with pyrite, implying that lCT can be used to assess gold grades using pyrite as a proxy. Moreover, we demonstrate that machine learning can be used to discriminate between pyrite and gold based on physical characteristics. The approaches in this study are intended to supplement rather than replace traditional methodologies. In this study, we demonstrated that they permit novel integration of micro-scale observations into macroscale modeling, thus permitting better orebody assessment for exploration, resource estimation, mining, and metallurgical purposes. We envision that such integrated approaches will become a key component of future geometallurgical frameworks.

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“…A key area of the field is related to characterize response variables for a given set of rock attributes. Indeed, research in this area has proven that the assumptions of linearity and additivity do not hold true for some critical block attributes, such as metal recovery [Van Tonder et al, 2010, Nwaila et al, 2020 and grindability [Yan andEaton, 1994, Tavares andKallemback, 2013]. A better assessment of the plan feasibility, therefore, should incorporate the interaction given by the block blends.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Column Generation for Mining Cut Definition with Geometallurgical Interactions

2021

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In this work we propose a novel approach to solve the mining cut definition problem in open pit mines with geometallurgical interactions. Mining cut definition deals with the aggregation of blocks into clusters which are extracted and processed as a single unit. The aggregation must fulfill operational considerations given by the loading equipment selectivity and should maximize the objectives given by the mine operation.The proposed approach utilizes mixed integer programming and a model inspired by column generation that, contrarily to previous works, has its decision variables defined directly on the set of all feasible cuts. The advantage of this is that the model does not require linear approximations of the geometallurgical behavior of the cuts based on the blocks it contains, and therefore, can utilize any non-linear function.We apply our methodology to a real-size case study to show that the model can be solved in reasonable time, but also that non-linear recovery functions influence the destination policy and expected profit, i.e., that following the traditional free selection policy (based on cut-off grade) is not the best strategy when realistic geometallurgical interactions are considered.

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Geometallurgical Approach for Implications of Ore Blending on Cyanide Leaching and Adsorption Behavior of Witwatersrand Gold Ores, South Africa

Cited by 17 publications

References 32 publications

Iron Oxide–Copper Mineral Associations in Supergene Zones: Insights into Flotation Challenges and Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology

Iron Oxide–Copper Mineral Associations in Supergene Zones: Insights into Flotation Challenges and Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology

Constraints on the Geometry and Gold Distribution in the Black Reef Formation of South Africa Using 3D Reflection Seismic Data and Micro-X-ray Computed Tomography

Column Generation for Mining Cut Definition with Geometallurgical Interactions

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