XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 2473
The relationship between the exposed mineral surface
area, grade and recovery highlights that for the PGE miner-
als, the surface area exposed is lowest for both the PGRF
4 and SGRF 4 conditions compared to the standard con-
ditions (PGRF 1 and SGRF 1). This suggests that the %
mineral surface area exposure is not the dominant factor
for the recovery of the PGE minerals as well as for the BMS
(chalcopyrite and pentlandite).
Apart from mineral surface exposure, PGM speciation
will also play a role in the PGM recovery due to the ele-
mental composition of the different mineral species which
affects their mineral surface characteristics and collector
adsorption. For example, the PGE sulphides and tellurides
Figure 10. (A) Total BMS minerals GSD data: (B) Pentlandite GSD data (C) Chalcopyrite GSD data and (D) Pyrrhotite/
Pyrite GSD data for the primary and secondary grinds rougher flotation for the various collectors evaluated
The relationship between the exposed mineral surface
area, grade and recovery highlights that for the PGE miner-
als, the surface area exposed is lowest for both the PGRF
4 and SGRF 4 conditions compared to the standard con-
ditions (PGRF 1 and SGRF 1). This suggests that the %
mineral surface area exposure is not the dominant factor
for the recovery of the PGE minerals as well as for the BMS
(chalcopyrite and pentlandite).
Apart from mineral surface exposure, PGM speciation
will also play a role in the PGM recovery due to the ele-
mental composition of the different mineral species which
affects their mineral surface characteristics and collector
adsorption. For example, the PGE sulphides and tellurides
Figure 10. (A) Total BMS minerals GSD data: (B) Pentlandite GSD data (C) Chalcopyrite GSD data and (D) Pyrrhotite/
Pyrite GSD data for the primary and secondary grinds rougher flotation for the various collectors evaluated