Reprocessing of a Southern Chilean Zn Tailing by Flotation—A Case Study

Babel, Bent; Penz, Maike; Schach, Edgar; Boehme, Stefanie; Rudolph, Martin

doi:10.3390/min8070295

Cited by 19 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…There have been numerous recent studies investigating the potential for reprocessing tailings ores using froth flotation for a variety of different ore types such as copper (Lutandula and Maloba, 2013;Alcalde et al, 2018;Mackay et al, 2018;Yin et al, 2018), gold (Valderrama and Rubio, 2007), zinc (Yang et al, 2015;Babel et al, 2018) and cassiterite (Leistner et al, 2016). These studies have shown that there is good potential for the reprocessing of the various tailings types investigated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The link between particle size and froth stability - Implications for reprocessing of flotation tailings

Mackay

Videla

Brito-Parada

2020

Journal of Cleaner Production

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Historic tailings dams can often be considered as valuable mineral reserves due to the declining head grades of primary deposits. The reprocessing of such material is of great interest to the minerals processing industry, not only from an economic point of view, but also from an environmental one. However, tailings material is generally comprised of fine particles, which poses a challenge for its reprocessing using froth flotation due to reduced recoveries of these particle sizes. In addition, there is some debate as to the effect that these fine particles have on the froth stability, which in turn is linked to mineral recovery.In this work, air recovery was used as a measure of froth stability to determine the flotation response of a copper tailings ore to changes in particle size distribution and superficial gas velocity. The system exhibited a maximum in air recovery, which correlates well with the local peak in dynamic froth stability presented in previous work. This maximum in froth stability is also shown to correspond to an improvement in flotation performance, thus highlighting the importance of considering the link between particle size, air rate and froth stability when determining the flotation strategy for tailings reprocessing. The results are discussed in terms of the implications for the reprocessing plant from where the ore samples were obtained and, more generally, for the efficient flotation reprocessing of tailings.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The link between particle size and froth stability - Implications for reprocessing of flotation tailings

Mackay

Videla

Brito-Parada

2020

Journal of Cleaner Production

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“…The small grains facilitated the chemical treatment and metal extraction [20,32] in coarser fractions from the crown of construction, which enable mechanical separation in first step of enrichment. Chalcopyrite grains are the most frequently occurring component in separate grains in both ZM and OS tailings (Figures 4 and 5), useful for copper extraction [32,[46][47][48].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ore Minerals and Metal Distribution in Tailings of Sediment-Hosted Stratiform Copper Deposits from Poland and Kazakhstan

Duczmal-Czernikiewicz

Baibatsha

Bekbotayeva

et al. 2021

Minerals

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This study, carried out in tailings from two sediment-hosted stratiform copper deposits in the Lublin-Głogów Copper District in Poland (Kupferschiefer-type deposit) and Zhezkazgan (cupriferous sandstone-type deposit) in Kazakhstan, analysed the mineralogy of copper, zinc, and lead minerals as related to metal accumulation in sediments. Microscopic study in reflected light and SEM–EDS (Scanning Electron Microscope—Energy Dispersive Spectrometer) analysis, as well as chemical diversity in the used INAA (Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis), ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma), and AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy) methods in 35 samples from Kazakhstan and 35 from Poland were examined due to their diversity. In both tailing deposits in Kazakhstan and Poland, heavy fractions were dominated by copper sulphides: chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), bornite (Cu5FeS4). and chalcocite (Cu2S). Moreover, sphalerite, galena, and cerussite have been recognized as a carriers of Zn and Pb. Their geochemistry was dominated by Cu, showing a mean content of 2500 ppm, in both Poland and Kazakhstan. Zinc and lead also occurred, showing a content of approximately 200 ppm and 500 ppm in Poland, and 1500 ppm Zn and 2500 ppm Pb in Kazakhstan, respectively. Grain size analysis indicated that the dominant grain size in both districts corresponded to the silt and fine sands fractions. Copper, zinc and lead sulphides accumulated in fine fractions in tailings from Kazakhstan (in sandstones and quartz grains), and mainly in coarse fractions in Poland (within carbonates, sandstones, and black shales). Mineralogical and geochemical features should be taken into consideration when assessing potential metal sources of technogenic materials.

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“…Characterising tailings storage facilities will also introduce other operational stakeholders into the project, such as geophysicists and geochemists. As tailings are a near-future resource for many mining operations (e.g., Savage River mine, Tasmania; Rosebery mine, Tasmania; Century mine, Queensland), the area should be investigated, funded, and researched now with operators encouraged to explore for commodities other than that being mined (e.g., critical metals in base metal deposits) [94,98]. Mineral processing technologies and deficiencies have changed so much since many of the tailings facilities were constructed that there is significant potential for reserves, with biohydrometallurgical methods particularly well suited to extracted refractory metals [99].…”

Section: Waste Management and Recyclingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geometallurgy—A Route to More Resilient Mine Operations

et al. 2018

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Geometallurgy is an important addition to any evaluation project or mining operation. As an integrated approach, it establishes 3D models which enable the optimisation of net present value and effective orebody management, while minimising technical and operational risk to ultimately provide more resilient operations. Critically, through spatial identification of variability, it allows the development of strategies to mitigate the risks related to variability (e.g., collect additional data, revise the mine plan, adapt or change the process strategy, or engineer flexibility into the system). Geometallurgy promotes sustainable development when all stages of extraction are performed in an optimal manner from a technical, environmental, and social perspective. To achieve these goals, development of innovative technologies and approaches along the entire mine value chain are being established. Geometallurgy has been shown to intensify collaboration among operational stakeholders, creating an environment for sharing orebody knowledge and improving data acquisition and interpretation, leading to the integration of such data and knowledge into mine planning and scheduling. These aspects create better business optimisation and utilisation of staff, and lead to operations that are more resilient to both technical and non-technical variability. Geometallurgy encompasses activities that utilise improved understanding of the properties of ore and waste, which impact positively or negatively on the value of the product, concentrate, or metal. Properties not only include those that impact on processing efficiency, but also those of materials which will impact on other actions such as blasting and waste management. Companies that embrace the geometallurgical approach will benefit from increased net present value and shareholder value.

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Reprocessing of a Southern Chilean Zn Tailing by Flotation—A Case Study

Cited by 19 publications

References 35 publications

The link between particle size and froth stability - Implications for reprocessing of flotation tailings

The link between particle size and froth stability - Implications for reprocessing of flotation tailings

Ore Minerals and Metal Distribution in Tailings of Sediment-Hosted Stratiform Copper Deposits from Poland and Kazakhstan

Geometallurgy—A Route to More Resilient Mine Operations

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