1068 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
balance results also showed that water consumption for per
dry ton ore calculated as 2.05 m3.
DISCUSSIONS
The simulation and locked cycle studies showed that the
predictive simulation model give quite similar results com-
pared to locked cycle test mass balance. However, simu-
lation model overpromised the copper recovery and grade
more than one percent unit. The detailed comparison
results can be seen in Table 9 and Figure 14.
It can be seen in both figures that the overpromised
grade and recoveries can be because of errors in the locked
cycle test and the unpredictable behavior of middling
streams.
CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, the simulation and locked cycle studies
undertaken in this study provided valuable insights into
the predictive capabilities of the simulation model in com-
parison to the locked cycle test mass balance. The results
indicate a noteworthy degree of similarity between the two
approaches, particularly in terms of copper recovery and
grade. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the simu-
lation model tends to overpromise both copper recovery
and grade by more than one percent unit.
Moreover, the metallurgical predictive methodology
developed in this study requires only two baseline experi-
mental datasets, including rougher kinetics and open
cleaner. Thanks to the predictive methodology employed in
this study, the number of laboratory experiments for pro-
cess design purposes can be significantly reduced and risk
factors originated from metallurgical performance can be
mitigated.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We would like to appreciate the laboratory technicians at
Metso Research Center their competent assistance during
the experimental and analytical work, Metso Middle East
&Turkey market area team for their affords. We want to
also thank Mawarid Mining LLC employees who provided
valuable contributions to the flowsheet development phase
of the study.
REFERENCES
Cisternas LA, Lucay FA, Botero YL. Trends in Modeling,
Design, and Optimization of Multiphase Systems in
Minerals Processing. Minerals. 2020 10(1):22. doi:
10.3390/min10010022.
Gochin, R.J., Smith, M.R. 1987. The Methodology
of Froth Flotation Testwork. In: Yarar, B., Dogan,
Z.M. (eds) Mineral Processing Design. NATO
ASI Series, vol 122. Springer, Dordrecht. doi:
10.1007/978-94-009-3549-5_7.
G.E Agar, Calculation of locked cycle flotation test results,
Minerals Engineering, Volume 13, Issues 14–15, 2000,
Pages 1533–1542, ISSN 0892-6875, doi: 10.1016/
S0892-6875(00)00136-9.
10.0
19.7
94.4
10.9
18.1
93.1
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Mass recovery Copper grade Copper Recovery
SIM LCT
Figure 14. Comparison of simulation and locked cycle test results
Table 9. Comparison of simulation and locked cycle test
results
Final Concentrate SIM LCT
Mass recovery 10.0 10.9
Copper grade 19.7 18.0
Copper Recovery 94.4 93.1