2964 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
can be added in the sparger or in the side of the tank to
maintain the water balance. If required, fluidization can be
applied, however all samples tested by now achieved high
recoveries in the coarse fraction without using fluidization.
This paper summarizes the results achieved with this
new technology in laboratory scale, evaluating the signifi-
cance and effect of each process variable in its operation.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Material
The sample used in this study is a copper sample sourced
from a South American mining site, characterized by the
following composition: 0.649% Cu, 4.07% Fe, 53.45%
SiO2, and 0.082% S. For all samples discussed in this paper,
Cu and Fe were quantified using ICP-OES (Inductively
Coupled Argon Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry)
following complete dissolution. SiO2 content was deter-
mined via colorimetry, employing a Hach DR5000 UV-Vis
spectrophotometer. Additionally, acid-soluble copper con-
tent was found to be 0.08% Cu.
The mineralogical analysis was conducted using metic-
ulously prepared resin sections, which were examined
under an optical microscope (Zeiss Axioplan 2, reflected
light). Subsequent analyses were performed on carbon-
coated polished sections, which were analyzed using a
JEOL-JSM 7000 field emission scanning electron micro-
scope (FEG-SEM). This FEG-SEM was equipped with an
Oxford Instruments’ energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS)
and integrated with Oxford Instruments’ AZTec Mineral
software for mineral liberation assessment.
In this ore, the predominant copper sulfides include
chalcopyrite as the main component, complemented by
secondary sulfide minerals such as chalcocite, covellite,
and bornite with notable associations like chalcopyrite-
bornite and chalcocite-covellite-bornite. The main sulfide
present is pyrite. The gangue minerals encompass albite,
amphiboles, calcite, chlorite, k-feldspar, magnetite, musco-
vite, and quartz. The mode of occurrence of the primary
Cu-Sulfides was also evaluated based on three size fractions,
425–600 µm, 300–425 µm, and 150–300 µm and the
results are presented in Figure 2:
In the coarsest fraction, 26.6% of Cu-sulfides were
found to be locked or enclosed within gangue minerals,
with 26.7% occurring as liberated. High middlings (34.3%)
Figure 2. Liberation of Cu-sulfides by size fraction
can be added in the sparger or in the side of the tank to
maintain the water balance. If required, fluidization can be
applied, however all samples tested by now achieved high
recoveries in the coarse fraction without using fluidization.
This paper summarizes the results achieved with this
new technology in laboratory scale, evaluating the signifi-
cance and effect of each process variable in its operation.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Material
The sample used in this study is a copper sample sourced
from a South American mining site, characterized by the
following composition: 0.649% Cu, 4.07% Fe, 53.45%
SiO2, and 0.082% S. For all samples discussed in this paper,
Cu and Fe were quantified using ICP-OES (Inductively
Coupled Argon Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry)
following complete dissolution. SiO2 content was deter-
mined via colorimetry, employing a Hach DR5000 UV-Vis
spectrophotometer. Additionally, acid-soluble copper con-
tent was found to be 0.08% Cu.
The mineralogical analysis was conducted using metic-
ulously prepared resin sections, which were examined
under an optical microscope (Zeiss Axioplan 2, reflected
light). Subsequent analyses were performed on carbon-
coated polished sections, which were analyzed using a
JEOL-JSM 7000 field emission scanning electron micro-
scope (FEG-SEM). This FEG-SEM was equipped with an
Oxford Instruments’ energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS)
and integrated with Oxford Instruments’ AZTec Mineral
software for mineral liberation assessment.
In this ore, the predominant copper sulfides include
chalcopyrite as the main component, complemented by
secondary sulfide minerals such as chalcocite, covellite,
and bornite with notable associations like chalcopyrite-
bornite and chalcocite-covellite-bornite. The main sulfide
present is pyrite. The gangue minerals encompass albite,
amphiboles, calcite, chlorite, k-feldspar, magnetite, musco-
vite, and quartz. The mode of occurrence of the primary
Cu-Sulfides was also evaluated based on three size fractions,
425–600 µm, 300–425 µm, and 150–300 µm and the
results are presented in Figure 2:
In the coarsest fraction, 26.6% of Cu-sulfides were
found to be locked or enclosed within gangue minerals,
with 26.7% occurring as liberated. High middlings (34.3%)
Figure 2. Liberation of Cu-sulfides by size fraction