XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 269
generator. This visualization offers insight into the dynamic
behavior of the system during operation.
Pre-Concentration
Various operational parameters were identified as poten-
tially impacting the performance of the continuous HVP
electrode-grizzly system. Extensive experimental work was
conducted to assess the individual contributions of these
parameters. Table 2 outlines these parameters along with
their respective upper and lower limits. The gap between
the electrode bars was also adjusted for each particle size
tested. This gap was selected based on an allowable misclas-
sification of 5% of the fresh feed due to particle shape, cor-
responding to approximately 55% of the median particle
size of each size fraction. This approach ensured consistency
in the experimental set-up while accounting for variations
in particle characteristics.
The length of the electrode bars utilized in the tests
was constrained to 600 mm due to space limitations. This
length was considered insufficient to achieve satisfactory
mineral recovery in a single pass. As a result, the tests incor-
porated three successive recycles of the oversize material.
The purpose of these recycles was to maximize mineral
recovery by subjecting particles not initially targeted by
electrical discharges to subsequent breakage.
Figure 12 illustrates the procedure adopted for the
continuous HVP tests. Each product stream resulting
from the recycles was assayed individually, and feed grades
were reconstituted through mass balance calculations. The
Table 2. Studied parameters for the operation of the JKMRC
HVP Electrode-Grizzly System with their upper and lower
limits
Parameters Inferior limit Superior limit
HVP generator voltage, kV 3 5
Angle of inclination, ° 14° 18°
Discharge frequency, Hz 1 5
Particle size, mm 19–26.5 37.5–53
results were then analyzed based on the deportment of cop-
per and gold.
The results from the continuous HVP tests were ana-
lyzed based on three main factors: pre-concentration perfor-
mance, particle size distribution, and specific energy usage.
Pre-concentration performance was assessed by comparing
the achieved recovery against the theoretical heterogeneity
curve for the tested ore in the selected size fractions.
Figure 12 presents the final recovery results for copper
(combined concentrate product) for each of the conducted
tests. Mass recoveries ranged from 59% to 78%, while cop-
per recoveries fell within the 76% to 92% range. On aver-
age, there was an enrichment of 25% compared to the feed
grade, with the product grade being 2.9 times higher than
the oversize material (0.46% and 0.16%, respectively). The
blue curve represents the previous results from batch testing
using the electrode-grizzly system, as presented in Figure 9.
The results indicate that the system’s continuous operation
had minimal impact on the pre-concentration performance
compared to batch testing conducted under highly con-
trolled conditions.
Furthermore, energy measurements conducted dur-
ing the experiments revealed that the continuous tests also
attained similar energy levels to those achieved in batch
testing. This consistency in energy usage between batch
and continuous testing is a positive indicator of the system’s
performance and reliability.
Pre-Weakening
Pre-weakening resulting from HVP processing is attrib-
uted to the formation of micro-cracks within the particles.
While formal pre-weakening testing of the products from
the continuous HVP electrode-grizzly system has not
yet been conducted, it is anticipated that pre-weakening
through the generation of micro-cracks within the ore par-
ticles is occurring.
Computed X-ray tomography of particles from the
undersize concentrated products was carried out to con-
firm the presence of internal damage within the parti-
cles. The results revealed the existence of multiple cracks
Figure 12. Schematic of the procedure adopting three recycles of the oversize product used for the continuous HVP tests
generator. This visualization offers insight into the dynamic
behavior of the system during operation.
Pre-Concentration
Various operational parameters were identified as poten-
tially impacting the performance of the continuous HVP
electrode-grizzly system. Extensive experimental work was
conducted to assess the individual contributions of these
parameters. Table 2 outlines these parameters along with
their respective upper and lower limits. The gap between
the electrode bars was also adjusted for each particle size
tested. This gap was selected based on an allowable misclas-
sification of 5% of the fresh feed due to particle shape, cor-
responding to approximately 55% of the median particle
size of each size fraction. This approach ensured consistency
in the experimental set-up while accounting for variations
in particle characteristics.
The length of the electrode bars utilized in the tests
was constrained to 600 mm due to space limitations. This
length was considered insufficient to achieve satisfactory
mineral recovery in a single pass. As a result, the tests incor-
porated three successive recycles of the oversize material.
The purpose of these recycles was to maximize mineral
recovery by subjecting particles not initially targeted by
electrical discharges to subsequent breakage.
Figure 12 illustrates the procedure adopted for the
continuous HVP tests. Each product stream resulting
from the recycles was assayed individually, and feed grades
were reconstituted through mass balance calculations. The
Table 2. Studied parameters for the operation of the JKMRC
HVP Electrode-Grizzly System with their upper and lower
limits
Parameters Inferior limit Superior limit
HVP generator voltage, kV 3 5
Angle of inclination, ° 14° 18°
Discharge frequency, Hz 1 5
Particle size, mm 19–26.5 37.5–53
results were then analyzed based on the deportment of cop-
per and gold.
The results from the continuous HVP tests were ana-
lyzed based on three main factors: pre-concentration perfor-
mance, particle size distribution, and specific energy usage.
Pre-concentration performance was assessed by comparing
the achieved recovery against the theoretical heterogeneity
curve for the tested ore in the selected size fractions.
Figure 12 presents the final recovery results for copper
(combined concentrate product) for each of the conducted
tests. Mass recoveries ranged from 59% to 78%, while cop-
per recoveries fell within the 76% to 92% range. On aver-
age, there was an enrichment of 25% compared to the feed
grade, with the product grade being 2.9 times higher than
the oversize material (0.46% and 0.16%, respectively). The
blue curve represents the previous results from batch testing
using the electrode-grizzly system, as presented in Figure 9.
The results indicate that the system’s continuous operation
had minimal impact on the pre-concentration performance
compared to batch testing conducted under highly con-
trolled conditions.
Furthermore, energy measurements conducted dur-
ing the experiments revealed that the continuous tests also
attained similar energy levels to those achieved in batch
testing. This consistency in energy usage between batch
and continuous testing is a positive indicator of the system’s
performance and reliability.
Pre-Weakening
Pre-weakening resulting from HVP processing is attrib-
uted to the formation of micro-cracks within the particles.
While formal pre-weakening testing of the products from
the continuous HVP electrode-grizzly system has not
yet been conducted, it is anticipated that pre-weakening
through the generation of micro-cracks within the ore par-
ticles is occurring.
Computed X-ray tomography of particles from the
undersize concentrated products was carried out to con-
firm the presence of internal damage within the parti-
cles. The results revealed the existence of multiple cracks
Figure 12. Schematic of the procedure adopting three recycles of the oversize product used for the continuous HVP tests