XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 2343
• Challenges in operational stability due to the num-
ber of recirculating streams included in the circuit as
designed.
The impact of organic carbon on overall gold recovery and
lead/zinc recovery is described in Figures 2 and 3. It is evi-
dent that much of the impact is focused on the lead flota-
tion circuit—likely as the froth is disrupted more so in this
first flotation stage. Additionally, it is likely that a signifi-
cant portion of the remaining liberated carbon is recovered
in the lead rougher flotation circuit (and this carbon con-
sumes significant quantities of the lead flotation reagents),
and therefore the reagent consumptions for the subsequent
flotation separations (zinc and pyrite flotation) is mitigated
to an extent. It is also clear that an impact in gold recovery
is observed in the pyrite flotation stage as well—and this
is likely related to a change in the pyrite morphology. It is
well-known that gold-containing arsenian pyrites do not
respond to flotation as well as more crystalline (typically
more depleted in gold) pyrites (Kappes et al., 2010).
UNDERSTANDING THE ORE
AND THE KEY VARIABLES OF
CONCERN (MINERALOGY AND
CHARACTERIZATION)
A mineralogical study was carried out to better understand
the valuable minerals and gangue in carbon containing
ores. Tescan Integrated Mineral Analyzer (TIMA) analysis
0.000 0.100 0.200 0.300 0.400 0.500 0.600
Feed -Corg (%)
Pb Flotag415on
Zn Flotag415on
Pyrite Flotag415on
Figure 2. Impact of ore feed organic carbon content on Au recovery—by flotation stage
0.000 0.100 0.200 0.300 0.400 0.500 0.600
Feed -Corg (%)
Pb Flotag415on
Zn Flotag415on
Figure 3. Impact of ore feed organic carbon content on Pb or Zn recovery
Au
Recovery
(%)
Pb
or
Zn
Recovery
(%)
• Challenges in operational stability due to the num-
ber of recirculating streams included in the circuit as
designed.
The impact of organic carbon on overall gold recovery and
lead/zinc recovery is described in Figures 2 and 3. It is evi-
dent that much of the impact is focused on the lead flota-
tion circuit—likely as the froth is disrupted more so in this
first flotation stage. Additionally, it is likely that a signifi-
cant portion of the remaining liberated carbon is recovered
in the lead rougher flotation circuit (and this carbon con-
sumes significant quantities of the lead flotation reagents),
and therefore the reagent consumptions for the subsequent
flotation separations (zinc and pyrite flotation) is mitigated
to an extent. It is also clear that an impact in gold recovery
is observed in the pyrite flotation stage as well—and this
is likely related to a change in the pyrite morphology. It is
well-known that gold-containing arsenian pyrites do not
respond to flotation as well as more crystalline (typically
more depleted in gold) pyrites (Kappes et al., 2010).
UNDERSTANDING THE ORE
AND THE KEY VARIABLES OF
CONCERN (MINERALOGY AND
CHARACTERIZATION)
A mineralogical study was carried out to better understand
the valuable minerals and gangue in carbon containing
ores. Tescan Integrated Mineral Analyzer (TIMA) analysis
0.000 0.100 0.200 0.300 0.400 0.500 0.600
Feed -Corg (%)
Pb Flotag415on
Zn Flotag415on
Pyrite Flotag415on
Figure 2. Impact of ore feed organic carbon content on Au recovery—by flotation stage
0.000 0.100 0.200 0.300 0.400 0.500 0.600
Feed -Corg (%)
Pb Flotag415on
Zn Flotag415on
Figure 3. Impact of ore feed organic carbon content on Pb or Zn recovery
Au
Recovery
(%)
Pb
or
Zn
Recovery
(%)