Change in technological properties of technogenic sulfide-contained raw material in the storage process

Results of modeling of changes in technological properties of sulfide minerals (pyrrhotite, pentlandite, and chalcopyrite) present in mining-industrial wastes stored in a climate in which evaporation prevails over precipitation are reported. It is proved that flotation activity of chalcopyrite and, in particular, of pentlandite diminishes, pyrrhotite increases, and selectivity and flotation of combined sulfides with respect to other minerals increases insignificantly. The content of water-soluble salts, dominated by nickel sulfates, increases with storage time. Institute of Problems of Complex Development of Bowels, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia Translated from Fiziko-Tekhnicheskie Problemy Razrabotki Poleznykh Iskopaemykh, No. 3, pp. 108–114, May–June, 2000.     

Influence of sodium thiosulphate on oxidation of sulphide minerals during selective flotation of copper-nickel ores

The studies of sulphur distribution in oxidation products of pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite being components of Cu-Ni ores showed that the elementary sulphur — sulphoxide ion ratio on the mineral surface and in the liquid phase of mineral suspensions changes in the presence of sodium thiosulphate. Sodium thiosulphate exhibits properties of a reducing agent and prevents formation of hydrophobic elementary sulphur on pyrrhotite surface due to oxygen absorption and oxidation of thiosulphate-ions to sulphates. The decrease in pyrrhotite floatability is observed, and more favorable conditions are provided for selective flotation of chalcopyrite on copper-nickel ore processing. __________ Translated from Fiziko-Tekhnicheskie Problemy Razrabotki Poleznykh Iskopaemykh, No. 4, pp. 89–94, July–August, 2006.     

Effect of ozone on physico-chemical and flotation properties of surface of pyrrhotite under the nanosecond electromagnetic pulse treatment

It is proved by testing that the effect of nanosecond powerful electromagnetic pulses (PEMP) tends to give rise to both pyrrhotite disintegration and alterations of its particles’ surface chemistry. It is found that PEMP exerts an effect on the surface composition, floatability, sorption ability and solubilization intensity of pyrrhotite. The non-monotone variation of sulphur content, removed from pyrrhotite surface under hexane action, and ferrous and ferric sulfates detected in the aqueous phase of suspension, are found to induce a nonmonotone alteration of sorption and flotation properties of the mineral depending on the number of pulses. The mode has been established for the preliminary PEMP treatment for pyrrhotite and pentlandite, aimed at improving the flotation separation as compared to a conventional mode. __________ Translated from Fiziko-Tekhnicheskie Problemy Razrabotki Poleznykh Iskopaemykh, No. 1, pp. 91–99, January–February, 2007.     

N,O,S取代2-巯基苯基黄铜矿捕收剂性质影响的第一性原理研究

采用密度泛函理论分析了2-巯基苯并噻唑(MBT)、2-巯基苯基恶唑(MBO)和2-巯基苯基咪唑(MBI)三种螯合捕收剂的电子结构,系统地研究了分别取代N、O、S原子对捕收剂的性质的影响.研究结果表明:MBO费米能级附近主要由硫原子贡献组成,S1、S2原子具有较高活性,表现出更强的电子活性,说明MBO的捕收性和选择性比其...     

Mineral hardness effect on the combined mineral grinding

The effect of rock-forming minerals on grindability and amorphization of sulfide minerals: pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, and pentlandite is considered on quartz as an example. It is established that quartz appreciably retards the grinding of sulfide minerals of −0.5 + 0.2 mm in ore size, and above all, the time of grinding down to −0.05 mm in the product size increases 1.5–2 times. The separate milling of minerals, essentially differing in hardness (1.5–2 times), is recommended to optimize the grinding process and to cut down the power consumption. __________ Translated from Fiziko-Tekhnicheskie Problemy Razrabotki Poleznykh Iskopaemykh, No. 4, pp. 121–126, July–August, 2007.     

The effect of heavy oxidation upon flotation and potential remedies for Merensky type sulfides

Surface oxidation of sulfide minerals, such as that found in the regions of a sulfide ore body near the water table, can have a significant impact upon flotation. This theme has been explored for Merensky ore type sulfides where an ore containing pyrrhotite, pentlandite and chalcopyrite was thermally oxidised and the role of potential remedies investigated. Back-scattered scanning electron microscope images are presented showing the oxidation layer which formed in the mineral surfaces. These oxidation layers were depleted in both sulfur and iron with incorporated oxygen. Flotation recovery rapidly decreased with increasing oxidation, particularly after 27 days and reached a plateau after 50 days. Up to 27 days, this effect could be partially overcome with higher collector additions. Oxidation had more impact upon the finer size fractions, particularly for pyrrhotite. For more heavily surface oxidised samples, ultrasonic treatment prior to collector conditioning was found to improve flotation recoveries. This treatment had the greatest effect upon chalcopyrite particles. Sulfidisation was successful in restoring the flotation recovery of the heavily oxidised sulfide minerals. Longer sulfidisation conditioning times were not conducive to good flotation recoveries of both oxidised pyrrhotite and pentlandite due to oxidation of the freshly formed sulfide surfaces. For maximum flotation recoveries of oxidised pyrrhotite, pentlandite and chalcopyrite, different sulfidisation conditions are indicated. It appears likely that in a mineral processing operation treating oxidised Merensky type ores, two stages of sulfidisation employing different conditions would be required.     

Influence of mineralogy and ore texture on pentlandite flotation at the Nkomati nickel mine,South Africa

The influence of ore mineralogy and ore texture on flotation response was studied for 29 samples from the main mineralised zone at Pit 3 of the Nkomati Ni mine, through laboratory scale flotation testing, laboratory assay, and mineral liberation analyser examination of the ore and the concentrates. The individual sample flotation responses vary widely in terms of Ni grade, and cumulative Ni recovery. It is demonstrated that this is a complex function of ore mineralogy and ore texture. Chalcopyrite is the first sulphide to float, followed by pentlandite and finally pyrrhotite, in ore samples with dominant chalcopyrite, or where pentlandite, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite occur in equal abundance. However in samples with a high ratio of pyrrhotite to pentlandite and chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite floats earlier than expected, reports to concentrate over the entire flotation period, and depress and extend the flotation of pentlandite over the flotation interval with no clear peak of Ni recovery during flotation. Primary silicates (e.g. olivine and pyroxene) and alteration-related minerals (talc, tremolite and chlorite) are naturally floating, and hence affect the flotation of pentlandite in a similar manner to that of pyrrhotite. The most problematic ore at Nkomati in terms of Ni recovery is characterised by fine disseminated and fine bleb- or net-texture sulphides, contain abundant olivine, pyroxene, amphibole, talc and tremolite, and include abundant metamorphism-related country rock xenoliths (with calc-silicate minerals such as diopside and tremolite).     

Adsorption of dithiophosphate and dithiophosphinate on chalcopyrite

Electrochemical behavior of chalcopyrite was investigated in the absence and presence of dithiophosphate (DTP) and dithiophosphinate (DTPI), selective thiols against Fe-sulfides in the flotation of sulfide ores, in potentiostatically controlled electrochemical condition. Diffuse reflectance Fourier transformation (DRIFT) spectroscopy was applied to determine the type of adsorbed collector species, and Hallimond tube flotation tests were performed to clarify the role of polarization potential and thiol collectors on the floatability of chalcopyrite. DRIFT spectroscopy study proposed that dithiolate of DTP, (DTP)₂, was the major surface compound formed under oxidizing potentials in slightly acidic and neutral conditions. However, DTP species formed on mineral surface in alkaline condition could not be determined possibly due to heavy surface coating of metal oxyhydroxides. DTPI species formed on chalcopyrite was found to be in the form of CuDTPI + (DTPI)₂. Additionally, presence of adsorbed DTPI, DTPI⁰, was also detected. Self-induced floatability was significantly high particularly in slightly acidic condition and decreased by increasing pH due to surface coating of metal oxyhydroxides. Addition of both collectors improved the flotation performance at all pH values. However, the positive effect of DTP at high alkaline pH values was lower than that of DTPI. This was attributed to weak collecting property and lower hydrocarbon chain length of DTP compared to DTPI. Effect of pulp potential could not be observed in slightly acidic condition, but it became apparent at higher pHs. Although better flotation responses were obtained in mildly oxidizing potentials, both collectors enlarged the floatability potential range of chalcopyrite.     

Thermodynamic and flotation analysis of influence exerted by chromate ions on separation of galena and chaclopyrite in alkaline media

The thermodynamic studies into the state of surface of galena and chalcopyrite in the presence of chromate ions and xanthate ions have been carried out along with the potentiometric measurements and flotation analysis. In the alkaline media, chromate ions are potential-determining for galena and are not such for chalcopyrite in a wide range of chromate ion concentrations. The qualitative composition of the sorption layer of the collecting and depressing agents on galena and chalcopyrite surfaces will depend on pH and redox potential of the fluid phase, and on the concentration of ions of the depressing and collecting agents. The flotation separation of galena and chalcopyrite in the alkaline media is feasible with the use of chromate ions as the depressing agents for galena. __________ Translated from Fiziko-Tekhnicheskie Problemy Razrabotki Poleznykh Iskopaemykh, No. 6, pp. 118–128, November–December, 2007.     

某高硅铜硫矿石分选试验

广西某高硫铜矿石中滑石等易浮硅质矿物含量高,现场采用弱磁选-浮铜-浮硫工艺流程进行分选,除弱磁选能较好地回收磁黄铁矿外,黄铜矿浮选和黄铁矿浮选均因易浮硅质矿物的干扰而难以获得合格精矿。为此,在大量探索试验的基础上,采用弱磁选-黄铜矿和硅质矿物混合浮选-混浮精矿铜硅摇床分离-混浮尾矿浮黄铁矿的工艺流程处理该矿石,获得了磁选硫精矿硫品位和回收率分别为38.69%和64.48%,浮选硫精矿硫品位和回收率分别为44.57%和30.99%,铜精矿铜品位和回收率分别为13.87%和63.89%的良好试验指标,有效地综合回收了铜、硫矿物。     

某难选铜镍硫化矿选矿试验研究

某铜镍矿含铜0.23%、镍0.42%,属低品位硫化矿石。矿石中铜矿物大部分为黄铜矿,镍矿物主要为镍黄铁矿,其他金属矿物主要为黄铁矿、磁黄铁矿、磁铁矿。脉石矿物主要有橄榄石、辉石、斜长石、透闪石等。矿物学研究表明,该铜镍矿呈典型的浸染状构造,影响铜镍回收的主要矿物学因素是矿石中黄铜矿、镍黄铁矿的产出形式较为复杂、嵌布粒度较细、形态不甚规则。根据该矿石性质,采用BK303新型高效捕收剂,CMC作脉石矿物抑制剂,通过“两粗两扫三精-粗精矿再磨-中矿顺序返回”的工艺流程,成功实现了铜镍的高效浮选回收,闭路试验获得了铜品位3.29%、镍品位5.32%,铜回收率81.78%、镍回收率71.53%的铜镍混合精矿,取得了良好的浮选指标。     

Effect of Leptospirillum ferrooxidans on the flotation kinetics of sulphide ores

The objective of this work was to determine the effect of Leptospirillum ferrooxidans on the floatability of chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and pyrrhotite by using xanthate as a collector. The tests were carried out in the absence and presence of bacteria in relation to the type of ore and contact time with bacteria. The results indicate that the chalcopyrite flotation rate significantly increased in the presence of L. ferrooxidans due to the formation of hydrophobic species. The bacteria function as a weak depressant for pyrrhotite after a conditioning time ?60 min. The behaviour of sphalerite remains without changes due to its low susceptibility to oxidation. It was concluded that L. ferrooxidans brings about superficial changes mainly due to the oxidation of minerals.     

Modified reagent mode in porphyry copper-molybdenum ore flotation

Test data on the selective reagent modes at bulk flotation cycle and modified carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) at a selection cycle for the bulk copper-molybdenum concentrate. The selected reagent mode at a bulk flotation cycle with industrial kerosene and Beraflot as collectors and OPSB as a frother made it possible to recover 87 % of copper and 82 % of molybdenum into a rough bulk concentrate. Tests with CMC application at the selection cycle revealed a potential opportunity to reduce 1.5–2.0 times the summary sodium sulfide consumption, to cut down running costs of pulp and depressant heating, and to improve molybdenum recovery with no negative effect on other parameters of the bulk concentrate selection. __________ Translated from Fiziko-Tekhnicheskie Problemy Razrabotki Poleznykh Iskopaemykh, No. 1, pp. 111–117, January–February, 2008.     

磁黄铁矿与黄铜矿浮选分离研究进展

介绍了磁黄铁矿与黄铜矿的矿石性质,并联系生产实践总结了二者分离的难点;根据国内外相关工业应用及研究进展,从药剂研发和生产实践两个角度简述了磁黄铁矿与黄铜矿浮选分离的研究现状,并进一步提出未来的发展方向.     

从某硫精矿中回收铜的试验研究

某硫精矿含铜0.41%,铜矿物主要为黄铜矿和辉铜矿,硫矿物主要是磁黄铁矿,其次是黄铁矿,脉石矿物为少量蛇纹石、滑石、绿泥石等易泥化矿物,经镜下鉴定铜矿物与黄铁矿关系密切,基本以较粗的连生体形式存在,而磁黄铁矿基本不含铜。综合考虑矿石性质,确定采用"磁选脱硫—脱泥—浮铜"流程回收铜,全流程获得铜精矿铜品位20.26%,铜回收率73.41%。     

都龙铁闪锌矿工艺矿物学研究

为了给都龙铁闪锌矿的回收工艺研究提供依据, 采用化学多元素分析、显微镜观察、单矿物化学成分能谱分析、MLA矿物自动定量检测技术等手段对该矿石进行了工艺矿物学研究, 得出的主要结论为:虽然矿石中含金属矿物较多, 但回收的主要对象为闪锌矿, 矿石中的含锌矿物以闪锌矿为主, 含量为7.715%, 另外还有少量异极矿; 闪锌矿化学能谱分析结果表明, 闪锌矿中含铁12.04%, 为铁闪锌矿; 闪锌矿与磁黄铁矿、黄铜矿连生, -0.2 mm原矿中的闪锌矿约一半以连生体形式存在, 且矿石中磁铁矿含量约7%, 磁黄铁矿含量约10%。根据以上结论, 建议先通过弱磁选富集回收磁铁矿和磁黄铁矿, 通过抑锌浮铜回收铜矿物, 然后采用高效活化剂回收浮选锌。      

Scientific grounds for high-performance agent modes in platiniferous sulfide mineral flotation from rebellious ores

The author substantiates the choice of new selective agents PTTC, HPEDETC, and Hostaflot M-91 to float platiniferous sulfide minerals from rebellious ores. The study agent modes imply the use of PTTC, being a component of modified xanthate and providing 6–7% increase in recovery of copper, nickel, and PGM in flotation of the low-sulfide platiniferous copper-nickel ore from the Fedorovo-Pansky deposit. The substitution of HPEDETC and Hostaflot M-91 for xanthate makes it possible to increase recovery of platinum by 5.7–13%, palladium by 4–9% and 2–4 times the noble metal content in the flotation concentrate.     

某铜镍多金属矿石工艺矿物学研究

某铜镍多金属矿床赋存于蚀变超基性岩镍矿床中,伴生铜、钴及贵金属铂、钯、金、银。通过显微镜观察,采用X射线衍射仪、扫描电镜能谱仪及矿物自动检测仪等分析技术,对该矿床的物质组成、目的矿物嵌布特征、有价元素平衡分配等工艺矿物学参数进行了系统的研究。结果表明,矿石中目的矿物主要为镍黄铁矿和黄铜矿,并含砷铂矿、锑铂矿、自然金、银金矿、自然银等多种贵金属矿物,具有重要的综合回收价值。矿石中的主要金属硫化物磁黄铁矿以粗中粒嵌布为主,镍黄铁矿与黄铜矿以细粒嵌布为主,三种硫化物主要呈集合体紧密连生,不易磨矿解离。在-0.075 mm占有率大于90%的磨矿细度下,目的矿物黄铜矿和镍黄铁矿的解离度均不及80%。采用浮选分别回收矿石中的黄铜矿和镍黄铁矿,预计铜和镍的理论回收率分别为86%和69%左右。为综合回收钴金属,可采取同时浮选镍黄铁矿和磁黄铁矿等硫化物的工艺,预计钴的理论回收率为69%左右,镍的理论回收率可提高至87%左右。此外,矿石中铂、钯、金、银等贵金属综合回收利用意义重大,应重视相关贵金属矿物的回收。     

大宝山难选铜硫矿石选矿新工艺研究

广东大宝山铜硫矿石铜品位低,主要金属矿物黄铜矿与黄铁矿、磁黄铁矿等嵌布关系复杂,磁黄铁矿可浮性与黄铜矿相近,采用单一浮选工艺处理该矿石难以获得较好的铜硫分离指标。为探索该难选铜硫矿石铜硫高效分选工艺,在对其进行工艺矿物学分析基础上进行了选矿新工艺研究。结果表明:原矿磨细至-0.074 mm占80.10%,经1粗3扫铜浮选,粗选精矿再磨至-0.074 mm占90%经磁选脱除磁黄铁矿,非磁性产品经3次铜精选,可以获得铜品位为18.57%、回收率为80.26%的合格铜精矿,浮铜扫选尾矿经1粗1扫硫浮选,与磁性产品合并后可以获得硫品位为45.35%、回收率为87.12%的硫精矿,铜硫得到有效分离。     

Acid Mine Drainage at the Abandoned Kettara Mine (Morocco): 1. Environmental Characterization

The Kettara site (Morocco) is an abandoned pyrrhotite ore mine in a semi-arid environment. The site contains more than 3 million tons of mine waste that have been deposited on the surface without concern for environmental issues. Tailings were stockpiled in a dyke and pond and in piles, over an area of about 16 ha, and have generated acid mine drainage (AMD) for more than 24 years. The mine waste and secondary precipitates from this mine were characterized using geochemical and mineralogical techniques. The Kettara wastes contain 1.6–14.5 wt% sulfur, mainly sulfide minerals (e.g., pyrrhotite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, and sphalerite). The main gangue minerals were goethite, quartz, chlorite-serpentine, talc, muscovite, and albite. Carbonates occur at very low quantities (less than 1 wt%). The most abundant heavy metals were Cu, Zn, Cr, Pb, Co, As, Cd, and Ni. Acid–base accounting static test results showed that all the samples have low values of acid-neutralizing potential (NP) (0–9 kg CaCO3/t). The mine waste has high acid-producing potential (AP) (51–453 kg CaCO3/t). Abundant secondary mineralogy is present, consisting mainly of halotrichite, goethite, jarosite-hydroanion, hydroniumjarosite, starkeyite, gypsum, alunite, copiapite, butterite, and coquimbite. Hardpans, which can prevent water infiltration to fresh tailings beneath and thereby lessen the rate of sulfide reactivity, were observed during sampling of the fine tailings. Mineralogical analysis indicated that the cementitious phase of the hardpan is mainly goethite. The alteration observed in the tailings pond does not extend more than 5–15 cm.