XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 3023
Similar types of reactions occur with the other copper min-
erals. In this case of Enriched ore, cyanide is expected to
dissolve the problematic CuS-Like rimming on the surface
of sphalerite particles and improve the Cu/Zn selectivity.
Small scale column leach tests were conducted at differ-
ent time intervals to achieve different degrees of copper
dissolution.
Column Leach Tests
Column leach tests were conducted on the MCS_EN
ore sample using cyanide and different cement and lime
additions. Heap leach conditions were simulated with these
tests. The particle size of the samples was p100=19 mm.
Table 6 shows the leaching time, cement, and lime addi-
tion of the four tests (C4, C6, C7 and C8), cyanide con-
sumption and copper extraction calculated using the head
and residue assays. The kinetics of the copper extraction are
illustrated in Figure 3. The Cu extraction increased with
longer leaching time. Approximately 40% copper extrac-
tion was achieved in 14 days and that increased to 70%
after 77 days.
Flotation of Leach Residue
Flotation response of the leach residues produced from C4,
C6, C7 and C8 was determined using the standard flota-
tion conditions, i.e., addition of Na2S (500 g/t), ZnSO4
(1kg/t) and MBS (Na2S2O5, 3 kg/t) in the grinding stage
and copper flotation at pH 6.5 using Danafloat 507E as
the collector. In the zinc flotation section, the pulp pH was
increased to pH 11.5 with lime. CuSO4 (500 g/t) and SIPX
(40 g/t) were used as activator and collector respectively.
Table 5. CN Soluble Cu of the copper minerals
Cu Content, %CN Soluble Cu, %
Chalcopyrite 34.63 5
Bornite 63.61 70
Covellite 66.46 90
Chalcocite 79.85 90
Enargite 48.41 70
Table 6. Cyanide leach conditions and copper extraction from the MCS_EN ore sample
Leach Residue Time, days Cement, kg/t Lime, kg/t CN Consumption, kg/t Leach Residue Cu %Cu Ext. %
C4 14 12 — 26 1.27 39.52
C6 50 12 — 34.61 0.88 58.10
C7 53 — 2 36.52 0.75 64.29
C8 77 5 — 47.28 0.62 70.48
MCS_EN 2.1
Leach Time (Days)
Figure 3. Kinetics of copper extraction by CN leaching of EN ore
Cu
Extraction
(%)
Similar types of reactions occur with the other copper min-
erals. In this case of Enriched ore, cyanide is expected to
dissolve the problematic CuS-Like rimming on the surface
of sphalerite particles and improve the Cu/Zn selectivity.
Small scale column leach tests were conducted at differ-
ent time intervals to achieve different degrees of copper
dissolution.
Column Leach Tests
Column leach tests were conducted on the MCS_EN
ore sample using cyanide and different cement and lime
additions. Heap leach conditions were simulated with these
tests. The particle size of the samples was p100=19 mm.
Table 6 shows the leaching time, cement, and lime addi-
tion of the four tests (C4, C6, C7 and C8), cyanide con-
sumption and copper extraction calculated using the head
and residue assays. The kinetics of the copper extraction are
illustrated in Figure 3. The Cu extraction increased with
longer leaching time. Approximately 40% copper extrac-
tion was achieved in 14 days and that increased to 70%
after 77 days.
Flotation of Leach Residue
Flotation response of the leach residues produced from C4,
C6, C7 and C8 was determined using the standard flota-
tion conditions, i.e., addition of Na2S (500 g/t), ZnSO4
(1kg/t) and MBS (Na2S2O5, 3 kg/t) in the grinding stage
and copper flotation at pH 6.5 using Danafloat 507E as
the collector. In the zinc flotation section, the pulp pH was
increased to pH 11.5 with lime. CuSO4 (500 g/t) and SIPX
(40 g/t) were used as activator and collector respectively.
Table 5. CN Soluble Cu of the copper minerals
Cu Content, %CN Soluble Cu, %
Chalcopyrite 34.63 5
Bornite 63.61 70
Covellite 66.46 90
Chalcocite 79.85 90
Enargite 48.41 70
Table 6. Cyanide leach conditions and copper extraction from the MCS_EN ore sample
Leach Residue Time, days Cement, kg/t Lime, kg/t CN Consumption, kg/t Leach Residue Cu %Cu Ext. %
C4 14 12 — 26 1.27 39.52
C6 50 12 — 34.61 0.88 58.10
C7 53 — 2 36.52 0.75 64.29
C8 77 5 — 47.28 0.62 70.48
MCS_EN 2.1
Leach Time (Days)
Figure 3. Kinetics of copper extraction by CN leaching of EN ore
Cu
Extraction
(%)