1062 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
A four-step selective dissolution method was performed
on the sized and bulk samples to quantify different copper
minerals, according to the procedure described by Young
(1974) and further developed by Metso. The selective dis-
solution method was carried out by analyzing the filtrated
sample in dissolution by ICP-OES, with the residual con-
tinuing onto the next dissolution. The steps were as follows:
P1) H2O dissolution, P2) H2SO4 dis-solution, P3) KCN
dissolution, and P4) HNO3 +Br2 dissolution. Based on
this method, copper sulfates, copper oxides and carbonates,
secondary copper sulfides, and primary chalcopyrite can be
distinguished, and their amounts calculated using the ele-
ment to mineral conversion (EMC) method.
Simulation Procedure
The simulation models were created for the Mawarid flo-
tation circuit to estimate the grade and recoveries of the
final concentrate. For this purpose, the rougher and cleaner
kinetic results were selected for blend ore and fitted on
HSC Sim ® software shown in Figure 7.
The kinetic models were created separately for each
mineral. Chalcopyrite, pyrite, and quartz were selected as
the main minerals for the model. The model is balanced
to 100% by combining the remaining quartz as gangue.
Models are then fitted into a batch simulation. A rectan-
gular distribution model was used to fit the experimental
Figure 5. General flowsheet of rougher kinetic flotation experiments
Figure 6. General flowsheet of open cleaner flotation experiments
A four-step selective dissolution method was performed
on the sized and bulk samples to quantify different copper
minerals, according to the procedure described by Young
(1974) and further developed by Metso. The selective dis-
solution method was carried out by analyzing the filtrated
sample in dissolution by ICP-OES, with the residual con-
tinuing onto the next dissolution. The steps were as follows:
P1) H2O dissolution, P2) H2SO4 dis-solution, P3) KCN
dissolution, and P4) HNO3 +Br2 dissolution. Based on
this method, copper sulfates, copper oxides and carbonates,
secondary copper sulfides, and primary chalcopyrite can be
distinguished, and their amounts calculated using the ele-
ment to mineral conversion (EMC) method.
Simulation Procedure
The simulation models were created for the Mawarid flo-
tation circuit to estimate the grade and recoveries of the
final concentrate. For this purpose, the rougher and cleaner
kinetic results were selected for blend ore and fitted on
HSC Sim ® software shown in Figure 7.
The kinetic models were created separately for each
mineral. Chalcopyrite, pyrite, and quartz were selected as
the main minerals for the model. The model is balanced
to 100% by combining the remaining quartz as gangue.
Models are then fitted into a batch simulation. A rectan-
gular distribution model was used to fit the experimental
Figure 5. General flowsheet of rougher kinetic flotation experiments
Figure 6. General flowsheet of open cleaner flotation experiments