XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 3075
conducted on the final tailings reveal that the locked gold
primarily exists in complex form, often in combination
with quartz, telluride minerals, and other telluride minerals.
DISCUSSION
This study indicates that most gold in Åkulla Kankberg ore
is not associated with sulphides, making the exclusive use
of xanthate in flotation less effective due to its higher affin-
ity for pyrite. While laboratory tests supported the com-
plete replacement of xanthate, plant tests showed benefits
from the synergistic effect of an 80% Aerophine and 20%
PAX mixture. This combination improved the recovery of
Au-Ag-Te in fine particles and non-liberated gold particles
associated with pyrite. The results align with expectations
for these collectors.
It is evident that the metallurgical performance of the
plant varies with sulphur content, showing reduced gold
recovery and increased circulating load as sulphur content
in the feed increases. There is significant competition for
xanthate among sulphide minerals, which preferentially
float over Au-Ag-Te minerals. The starvation collector tech-
nique employed by the plant has proven effective. The order
Figure 20. Liberation analysis for selected gold-bearing minerals in the final concentrate, cleaner tail return, and final tail
flotation stream sampling when processing with Aerophine and PAX collectors
Table 6. Description of how the locked gold is combined in the minerals found in the final concentrate for both evaluated
collectors
Mass–% of Au Minerals Combined
Aerophine PAX
–20 µm +20 µm –45 µm –45 µm –20 µm +20 µm –45 µm –45 µm
Binary with Silicates 8.15 6.48 30.76 0.00 0.00 0.00
Binary with Te-mins 38.73 25.78 4.95 18.54 50.72 29.83
Binary with Chalcopyrite 1.21 0.96 0.77 0.27 0.23 0.55
Binary with Pyrite 8.23 7.05 5.00 7.06 7.79 16.65
Binary with Ag-mins 3.80 3.78 6.28 0.22 1.28 1.18
Ternary with SilicatesQuartz and Te-mins 3.79 9.97 13.32 0.00 0.00 0.00
Binary with any sulphide 1.33 7.29 1.76 2.62 1.19 3.51
Complex with apatite, silicate and Ag 7.11 5.95 7.32 0.00 0.00 0.00
Complex 27.66 32.74 29.84 71.29 38.79 48.28
conducted on the final tailings reveal that the locked gold
primarily exists in complex form, often in combination
with quartz, telluride minerals, and other telluride minerals.
DISCUSSION
This study indicates that most gold in Åkulla Kankberg ore
is not associated with sulphides, making the exclusive use
of xanthate in flotation less effective due to its higher affin-
ity for pyrite. While laboratory tests supported the com-
plete replacement of xanthate, plant tests showed benefits
from the synergistic effect of an 80% Aerophine and 20%
PAX mixture. This combination improved the recovery of
Au-Ag-Te in fine particles and non-liberated gold particles
associated with pyrite. The results align with expectations
for these collectors.
It is evident that the metallurgical performance of the
plant varies with sulphur content, showing reduced gold
recovery and increased circulating load as sulphur content
in the feed increases. There is significant competition for
xanthate among sulphide minerals, which preferentially
float over Au-Ag-Te minerals. The starvation collector tech-
nique employed by the plant has proven effective. The order
Figure 20. Liberation analysis for selected gold-bearing minerals in the final concentrate, cleaner tail return, and final tail
flotation stream sampling when processing with Aerophine and PAX collectors
Table 6. Description of how the locked gold is combined in the minerals found in the final concentrate for both evaluated
collectors
Mass–% of Au Minerals Combined
Aerophine PAX
–20 µm +20 µm –45 µm –45 µm –20 µm +20 µm –45 µm –45 µm
Binary with Silicates 8.15 6.48 30.76 0.00 0.00 0.00
Binary with Te-mins 38.73 25.78 4.95 18.54 50.72 29.83
Binary with Chalcopyrite 1.21 0.96 0.77 0.27 0.23 0.55
Binary with Pyrite 8.23 7.05 5.00 7.06 7.79 16.65
Binary with Ag-mins 3.80 3.78 6.28 0.22 1.28 1.18
Ternary with SilicatesQuartz and Te-mins 3.79 9.97 13.32 0.00 0.00 0.00
Binary with any sulphide 1.33 7.29 1.76 2.62 1.19 3.51
Complex with apatite, silicate and Ag 7.11 5.95 7.32 0.00 0.00 0.00
Complex 27.66 32.74 29.84 71.29 38.79 48.28