3078 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
particularly the colloids of magnesium hydroxide and, to a
less degree, calcium carbonate (Castro, 2018).
On the other hand, because Estrella ore in Chino Mine
was covered with acidic pit water, the probability of ore
oxidation is high. Oxidation of the mineral directly influ-
ences the performance of the flotation. Understanding this
phenomenon, which includes the oxidation rate, surface
processes, and generated products, helps to improve flota-
tion performance.
This study investigates the impact of pit water on ore
quality and flotation performance. In addition, to deter-
mine reagent usage and pre-flotation conditions that are
necessary to obtain maximum recovery from ore soaking
in pit water, the lab received ore samples from within the
pit but not under water, as well as samples of the pit water.
Samples were soaked in the pit water for up to five con-
secutive months, with the control sample being unaltered.
Control samples were tested to find appropriate reagent
dosages and set up conditions for future test work. Each
additional sample was exposed to the water for one to five
consecutive months.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Around 160 kg of ore was collected from two different blast
holes (BH) of Estrella ore. 3 buckets of ore were collected
from each BH. Ore pH was 3.5 in BH #1, and 3 in BH
#2. All buckets were sent to the lab. Each bucket was split
into two half-filled (totaling 12) buckets for easier manage-
ment. As shown in Figure 2, all 12 buckets were randomly
Figure 1. Estrella pit water, and Estrella ore under the pit water
Figure 2. Mixing and splitting Estrella ore to achieve representative samples
particularly the colloids of magnesium hydroxide and, to a
less degree, calcium carbonate (Castro, 2018).
On the other hand, because Estrella ore in Chino Mine
was covered with acidic pit water, the probability of ore
oxidation is high. Oxidation of the mineral directly influ-
ences the performance of the flotation. Understanding this
phenomenon, which includes the oxidation rate, surface
processes, and generated products, helps to improve flota-
tion performance.
This study investigates the impact of pit water on ore
quality and flotation performance. In addition, to deter-
mine reagent usage and pre-flotation conditions that are
necessary to obtain maximum recovery from ore soaking
in pit water, the lab received ore samples from within the
pit but not under water, as well as samples of the pit water.
Samples were soaked in the pit water for up to five con-
secutive months, with the control sample being unaltered.
Control samples were tested to find appropriate reagent
dosages and set up conditions for future test work. Each
additional sample was exposed to the water for one to five
consecutive months.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Around 160 kg of ore was collected from two different blast
holes (BH) of Estrella ore. 3 buckets of ore were collected
from each BH. Ore pH was 3.5 in BH #1, and 3 in BH
#2. All buckets were sent to the lab. Each bucket was split
into two half-filled (totaling 12) buckets for easier manage-
ment. As shown in Figure 2, all 12 buckets were randomly
Figure 1. Estrella pit water, and Estrella ore under the pit water
Figure 2. Mixing and splitting Estrella ore to achieve representative samples