Pilot-scale investigation of two Electric Pulse Fragmentation (EPF) approaches for the mineral processing of a low-grade cassiterite schist ore

Abstract

Two approaches for the use of the Electric Pulse Fragmentation (EPF) in the beneficiation of a lowgrade cassiterite schist ore were investigated through pilot-scale tests performed on samples of about 270 kg. The first approach used EPF treatment for pre-concentration while in the second approach the EPF technology was mostly used for crushing. Comparison with the use of conventional crushers was performed.Results showed that the EPF pre-treatment led to a decrease of the Bond rod mill work index while the Bond ball mill work index remained unchanged. This means that the decrease in the energy consumption requested to grind the material down to 1.18 mm (closing screen of the Bond rod mill work index) is no longer noticeable with additional grinding stage to reach a size down to 106 µ m (closing screen of the Bond ball mill work index).This may be due to the fracture network generated during EPF being consumed immediately in the ⁎ Corresponding author.i The corrections made in this section will be reviewed and approved by journal production editor. subsequent comminution step. Alternatively, it may be that the Bond ball mill work index is not appropriate for exhibiting the weakening effect of the EPF technology when the mineral liberation size is coarser than the closing screen size used for the test. Concentration tests performed on the sample treated with the first approach for EPF showed no marked change in separation performance. However, a higher concentrate grade was obtained when using this EPF pretreatment, indicating a probable potential for improvement.

Process Mineralogy of the Tailings from Llallagua: Towards a Sustainable Activity

“…This could be indicative of a loss of ore in the finest fractions during processing. This behavior was also reported in other cases, with the lack of fine cassiterite particles in the concentrate being attributed to an aqua flow phenomenon [40,41].…”

Liberating microfossils from indurated carbonates: comparison of three disaggregation methods

“…Jovane et al, 2007;Falzoni et al, 2016;D'Onofrio and Luciani, 2020). The free hydrogen ions in the acid work to attack the matrix of the rock, dissolving it and breaking it apart (Hodgkinson, 1991;Costa de Moura et al, 1999). Costa de Moura et al (1999) suggest the impurities present in the matrix of carbonate rocks provide boundaries for the acid to work on more effectively, whereas the pure biogenic carbonate of a fossil test can be considered more impermeable to the acid.…”

“…The free hydrogen ions in the acid work to attack the matrix of the rock, dissolving it and breaking it apart (Hodgkinson, 1991;Costa de Moura et al, 1999). Costa de Moura et al (1999) suggest the impurities present in the matrix of carbonate rocks provide boundaries for the acid to work on more effectively, whereas the pure biogenic carbonate of a fossil test can be considered more impermeable to the acid. However, assemblage diversity losses have been reported in planktic foraminifera after sample processing with acetic acid, showing that the acid can also attack the calcium carbonate of foraminifera tests (D'Onofrio and Luciani, 2020).…”

Enhanced Flotation Separation of Cassiterite from Calcite Using Metal-Inorganic Complex Depressant

“…There is no doubt that the development and application of new reagents is a good choice to improve the flotation recovery of cassiterite. However, with the continuous exploitation of cassiterite resources, the high-quality cassiterite resources are gradually exhausted, and cassiterite resources tend to be fine, poor, and miscellaneous [21]. It has been gradually realized that the development of a high-performance reagent alone has limited effect on improving the recovery and grade of cassiterite, while the combination of reagents has greater advantages.…”