Blogs
Electric Smelting & Electrolytic Refining of Lead Concentrates
Table of ContentsLaboratory TestCommercial Plant Lead concentrates from Kuroko (black ore) mines, which contain Cu 4 – 7%, Pb 55%, Zn 3 – 7%, As 0.5 – 0.9% are treated by hydrometallurgical process in order to smelt the product by electric furnace smelting together with other lead resources from Kuroko. The hydrometallurgical pretreatment involves sulfuric acid leaching at first stage, ferric
Dialkyldithiophosphinates in Sulfide Flotation
Dialkyldithiophosphinates are a new class of flotation collectors for base metal sulfide ores. Structurally, they are quite different from the conventional collectors such as mercaptans, xanthates, thionocarbamates and dithiophosphates. Organophosphines and their derivatives form strong metal complexes. Thus, they offer potential applications in mineral beneficiation, metal recovery, corrosion inhibition, lubrication, sequestering agents and catalysts. One of the dithiophosphinates has reached
Density Separator – Improve Classification Efficiency & Control Particle Size
The Density Separator is basically a hindered settling classifier with automatic control features that provide steady, sharp classification irrespective of extreme variations in dry tons per hour of feed solids up to the design maximum throughput for the particular material being treated. The Density Separator is a hydraulic classification device consisting of an upper parallel-walled section of square or rectangular
Burning Magnesium & Aluminum to Produce Refractory Grain Material
Bauxite, dolomite, and magnesite are natural occurring minerals that are used extensively in the manufacture of refractory products. In addition, magnesia produced from seawater or brine finds its way into the production of refractories. All of these materials must be processed at high temperatures, 1500°C to 2200°C, to produce an intermediate raw material (refractory grain), which can then be used
How to Calculate the Size of Surge Bins
Table of ContentsThe machine 1 – surge bin – machine 2 – systemProduction variation The purpose of a surge bin between two machines is to permit either of the two machines to continue production for at least some of the time while the other machine is interrupted by break down or by preventive maintenance or by other problems up or
Leached Uranium Ore Restoration by Aluminum Chloride
In situ leaching has been an attractive means of recovering uranium from small or low grade ore deposits. The process involves injecting a lixiviant, typically ammonium carbonate-bicarbonate and an oxidant into the uranium containing ore body. As the solution passes through the ore body, the uranium is oxidized from the insoluble plus four to the soluble plus six state. The
Air Pulsated Jigs
An air-pulsated jig has teen widely adopted as a main coal washer. It may be mainly because of its many technical and economic features such as large capacity, low running cost, long life, etc. However, the recent increasing demand of fuel coal requires a higher productivity and efficiency of the air-pulsated jig. To fill this requirement theoretical and experimental investigations
Control Acid Mine Drainage
Table of ContentsChemistry of Formation and ControlBureau of Mines Acid Mine Drainage ResearchMine SealingAcid Mine Drainage TreatmentAt-Source Control of Acid Mine DrainageSummary and Recommendations Acid Mine Drainage from underground coal mines and coal refuse piles is one of the most persistent industrial pollution problems in the United States. Pyrite in the coal and overlying strata, when exposed to air and
Copper Chalcocite Derimming of Pyrite with Cyanide
Table of ContentsPresent Copper Flotation PracticeCyanide LeachingSand FlotationIndicated Advantages of Cyanide Derimming (Cadwell Process) Many of the major copper ore bodies throughout the world contain chalcocite (79.9% Cu) as the principal copper mineral, yet the grades of copper concentrates produced from these ores rarely exceeds 25 to 28% Cu and in one known instance went as low as 13%. The
Titanium & Hydrometallurgy
Titanium’s performance characteristics in acidic oxidizing and mildly reducing environments make it applicable to numerous currently defined and many projected hydrometallurgical applications. With titanium’s current and projected availability and price stability increased use in pressure leach, piping systems and electrorefining is practical. Titanium has a low density, .163 lb. per cubic inch, versus iron, as a guideline, of .281 lb.
Critical Surface Tension of Wetting of Sulfide Minerals
The critical surface tension of wetting (vc) of Cu2S, FeS2, PbS, and M0S2 were determined by plotting flotation recovery versus γLV which was arranged by methanol, and extrapolating to % R = 0. γc values ranged from 26 dyne cm-¹ for M0S2 to 49 dyne cm-¹ for PbS and elemental sulfur gave a value of 31.5 dyne cm-¹. It has,
Effect & Influence of Flocculants & Surfactants on Filtration of Iron Ore Concentrate Slurry
Experiments were conducted with the addition of several types of flocculants and surfactants. The filtration response of the slurries was studied in terms of the cake formation rate and the residual cake moisture. An analysis of the results is presented in ascertaining the role of flocculants and surfactants during filtration A specular hematite concentrate (67% Fe, 0.5% SiO2) wet ground
Mineral Processing Circuit Simulator
Table of ContentsFlowsheet SpecificationsUnit Operation ModelsSample Simulations The fundamental design philosophy was based on meeting three criteria: flexibility, modifiability and usability. Flexibility refers to the ease of using the simulator to study a variety of flowsheets. A stream and unit operation numbering scheme was developed as a means of meeting this requirement. This scheme, in conjunction with modularized unit operation
Grinding Mills for Remote Mining Sites
Table of ContentsMine SitesPolaris ConcentratorLupin Mill A number of challenges are faced when a mine is established at a remote site in northern Canada. The distance from suppliers, accessibility to the site, constraints on transportation of men and materials, and mining frozen ore are considerations which influence design. Mine Sites The Polaris Project of Cominco Limited of Vancouver is located
Practical Mining Geology
Table of ContentsProcedure for MappingSamplingAssayingStructural AnalysesBe a Geological Watchdog Operating geology may not seem as exciting and glamourous as exploration, especially to recent graduates, but it has its advantages as listed below: Stability: Exploration is generally the first activity curtailed in recessive periods. Satisfaction: The results of good work are visible sooner and more often. Family life is relatively normal.
Photometric Ore Sorting
Table of ContentsThe Separation SystemBenefits of Ore SortingDetermining Operating Cost Increases The primary objective of ore sorting is the separation of mineralized ore from waste or low-grade material, early in the concentration cycle. The concept of applying automated ore sorting techniques has been recognized for same years, but limitations in technology has meant that, until recently, manual sorting was the
How to Improve Filter Design to Reduce Filter Cake Moisture
Table of ContentsFactors Influencing Filter Cake Moisture ContentAgidisc Filter Design DevelopementBlow DischargePerformance Results in Operating Plants Factors Influencing Filter Cake Moisture Content The -28 mesh coal fraction has a major influence on the coal preparation plant product. This is due to the much higher specific surface area of this fraction which of course is filmed with water (unless themally dried).
How to Reduce Risk in Mineral Processing Plant Design
Table of ContentsCrushing and GrindingConcentrationInnovations Assuming that ore grade is on target, the milling rate is the most significant parameter, next to mineral recovery, which is watched closely by senior executives and financial managers. It governs the sales of the mining company in terms of pounds or ounces of metal sold. If recovery is not impaired by increasing throughput, then
Acid Dissolution of Metal & Mineral Samples by Microwave
Objective Reduce the time, complexity and expense of dissolving metal and mineral samples in solution in preparation for chemical analysis. Approach In earlier research, the Bureau of Mines developed a rapid and inexpensive method for the dissolution of mineral and metal samples in plastic pressure bottles heated in a boiling water bath. Using this technique, samples could be prepared for
Leaching Manganese
Table of ContentsEvaluation of In Situ Leaching for ManganeseCharacteristics of Selected DepositsLaboratory TestsConceptual Design and Cost AnalysesConclusions Domestic mines account for a mere 2 pct of the manganese consumption in the United States. Although plentiful supplies of manganese are readily available from several foreign countries, the Nation’s vulnerability to sudden cessation of foreign shipments plus the current trade imbalance has
Large Vibrating Screen Design & Maintenance
Table of ContentsDesign and Manufacturing TechnologyManufacturing TechnologyPlant Design Considerations – Large Vibrating ScreensLarge Screen Maintenance – Operating ConsiderationsLarge Vibrating Screens ApplicationsImportance of “Throw” and “G” ForceFuture Development of Large Vibrating ScreensDescription of the Screen-Cyclone SystemResults of Pilot Plant TestInstallation Operation & Maintenance Problems with large Vibrating ScreensSurvey ResultsDesign Considerations and Recommendations Large vibrating screens represent a unique challenge for Manufacturers,
Jigs & Coal Preparation
Traditionally in coal processing jigs have been used to clean the coarse coal fraction, the +3/8″ or +¼” material. Today with the advent of modern fine coal jigs in the United States, its place was moved from the coarse to the intermediate coal circuit, the 3/8″ x 100 mesh. Recent theoretical performance and economic evaluations indicate the Batac
Ferric Chloride Leaching
Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentMaterials Equipment and Operating ProcedureLead ConcentrateEquipmentOperating ProcedureAnalysis of SamplesResults and DiscussionLeachingElectrolysisLead Monitoring Primary lead is commercially produced from lead sulfide concentrates by a smelting process consisting of sintering, blast furnace reduction, and refining. The pyrometallurgical method is low cost and requires relatively little energy, but generates gaseous sulfur dioxide and particulate lead, which must be controlled to prevent
Large Flotation Cell Mechanism
Table of ContentsDesign ConsiderationsDevelopment ProgramsResults The development of larger size flotation machines, which started in the 1950’s and 1960’s, is still proceeding. The largest mechanical flotation machines available today have unit volumes in the range of 38.2 to 43.9 m³ (1,350 to 1,550 cft). Designs for mechanical flotation .cells of unit volumes as large as 70.8 m³ (2500 cft) are