Simulating the Impact of Ore and Water Quality on Flotation Recovery during the Life of a Mine

Autor: Annukka Aaltonen, Caroline Izart, Mikko Lyyra, Aleksandra Lang, Eija Saari, Olli Dahl
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2023
Předmět:
Zdroj: Minerals, Vol 13, Iss 9, p 1230 (2023)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2075-163X
DOI: 10.3390/min13091230
Popis: Blending of different ore types in the concentrator feed contributes significantly to maintaining a high recovery of valuable minerals with required grades in the concentrate. It is feasible to develop an ore-blending scheme over the life of a mine already in the design phase of the plant. In addition to ore characteristics, water quality is known to impact mineral recovery. A blending plan could also be developed for the different water streams of a future concentrator. This paper describes a novel modeling and simulation approach to predict metallurgical response combining ore types and water quality. The model is based on kinetic laboratory flotation test data, and it was tested on a case study. As a result, rougher flotation grade-recovery curves dependent on ore types and water quality are presented over the predicted life of the mine. The simulation results can be exploited in project design to maximize the recovery of valuable minerals and to ensure environmentally sound and profitable mining operations. Overall, the developed modeling tool can be applied widely for minerals processed by using froth flotation and water types available for kinetic laboratory flotation tests.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals
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