XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 3517
The solutions obtained from the fusion process were
subsequently diluted and analyzed using either the Agilent
Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy
(ICP-OES) 5110 SVDV or the Agilent QQQ Inductively
Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer.
This study investigated two distinct scenarios for the
reprocessing of the Cantung Tailings, each detailed in sep-
arate subsections. The first scenario involved floating the
chalcopyrite and subsequent concentrate cleaning. The sec-
ond scenario processed the ground pulp using low intensity
magnetic separation (LIMS) by Magnetics North Inc., fol-
lowed by flotation of iron sulphides from the non-magnetic
portion. This was followed by gravity separation using a
Falcon concentrator (by Sepro Systems) and leaching of
tungsten from the Falcon concentrate.
Scenario 1: Chalcopyrite Flotation and Concentrate
Cleaning
Grinding for Chalcopyrite Flotation
A 1-kg test charge was ground in a 16-inch long by 8-inch
diameter mill at 60% solids. The ore was ground to 80%
passing 100 micrometers, followed by rougher flotation
using a stainless-steel rod charge weighing 11 kilograms.
Upon reaching the target size, the pulp was filtered, and the
solids were transferred to a two-litre cell for rougher flota-
tion. The filtrate was used in the flotation cell.
Rougher Flotation of Chalcopyrite
For test condition F6, potassium isobutyl xanthate (PIBX)
and methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC) were incrementally
added to 200 g/t and 20 g/t, respectively. Lime was used to
adjust the pH to 9.2. Concentrates were collected at inter-
vals with specific air flow rates, followed by froth removal
at regular intervals. To increase process efficiency and inves-
tigate potential throughput increases, the air flowrate was
deliberately varied to enhance mass pull and recovery. For
a detailed comparison of the reagents used and their con-
centrations, along with the operational parameters such as
flotation times and air flow rates for both test conditions F6
and F7, refer to Table 4.
First Stage Cleaning Flotation
The concentrate from rougher flotation (Test F6) was pro-
cessed without regrinding in a 1-liter cell. Ethyl xanthate
and MIBC were added, and pH was adjusted to 10.5 using
lime. Concentrates were collected at defined intervals with
specified air flow rates detailed in Table 5 along with the
descriptions of the test conditions.
Table 4. Comparison of chemical additions and operational parameters for test conditions F6 and F7
Parameter Test Condition F6 Test Condition F7
Conditioning Duration 7 minutes Similar to F6
Potassium Isobutyl Xanthate (PIBX) 200 g/t 200 g/t
Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol (MIBC) 20 g/t 20 g/t
Sodium Silicate — 1000 g/t (added to grinding mill)
pH Adjustment (by lime) pH 9.2 pH 9.2
Cumulative Flotation Times (minutes) 2, 3, 7, 11, 15, 19, 23 Similar to F6
Air Flowrate (L/min) 3, 3, 4, 5 (remaining) Similar to F6
Froth Removal Rate 1 stroke/5 sec 1 stroke/5 sec
Table 5. Detailed parameters and reagents used in the cleaning flotation tests FCL1, FCL2, FCL3, and FCL4
Parameter Test FCL1 Test FCL2 Test FCL3 Test FCL4
Ethyl Xanthate (g/t) 0.050 5 5 5
MIBC (g/t) 6.15 11 11 11
Sodium Silicate (g/t) — — — 500
Dep C (g/t) — — — 200
Regrinding Particle Size (micrometers) — 53 75 Similar to FCL2
pH ~10.5 ~10.5 ~10.5 ~10.5
Cumulative Flotation Times (minutes) 2.5, 4.5, 7, 9.5 Similar to FCL1 Similar to FCL1 Similar to FCL1
Air Flowrates (L/min) 1, 2, 2, 3 1, 2, 2, 3 1, 2, 3, 3 1, 2, 3, 3
Froth Removal Rate 1 stroke/5 sec 1 stroke/5 sec 1 stroke/5 sec 1 stroke/5 sec
The solutions obtained from the fusion process were
subsequently diluted and analyzed using either the Agilent
Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy
(ICP-OES) 5110 SVDV or the Agilent QQQ Inductively
Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer.
This study investigated two distinct scenarios for the
reprocessing of the Cantung Tailings, each detailed in sep-
arate subsections. The first scenario involved floating the
chalcopyrite and subsequent concentrate cleaning. The sec-
ond scenario processed the ground pulp using low intensity
magnetic separation (LIMS) by Magnetics North Inc., fol-
lowed by flotation of iron sulphides from the non-magnetic
portion. This was followed by gravity separation using a
Falcon concentrator (by Sepro Systems) and leaching of
tungsten from the Falcon concentrate.
Scenario 1: Chalcopyrite Flotation and Concentrate
Cleaning
Grinding for Chalcopyrite Flotation
A 1-kg test charge was ground in a 16-inch long by 8-inch
diameter mill at 60% solids. The ore was ground to 80%
passing 100 micrometers, followed by rougher flotation
using a stainless-steel rod charge weighing 11 kilograms.
Upon reaching the target size, the pulp was filtered, and the
solids were transferred to a two-litre cell for rougher flota-
tion. The filtrate was used in the flotation cell.
Rougher Flotation of Chalcopyrite
For test condition F6, potassium isobutyl xanthate (PIBX)
and methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC) were incrementally
added to 200 g/t and 20 g/t, respectively. Lime was used to
adjust the pH to 9.2. Concentrates were collected at inter-
vals with specific air flow rates, followed by froth removal
at regular intervals. To increase process efficiency and inves-
tigate potential throughput increases, the air flowrate was
deliberately varied to enhance mass pull and recovery. For
a detailed comparison of the reagents used and their con-
centrations, along with the operational parameters such as
flotation times and air flow rates for both test conditions F6
and F7, refer to Table 4.
First Stage Cleaning Flotation
The concentrate from rougher flotation (Test F6) was pro-
cessed without regrinding in a 1-liter cell. Ethyl xanthate
and MIBC were added, and pH was adjusted to 10.5 using
lime. Concentrates were collected at defined intervals with
specified air flow rates detailed in Table 5 along with the
descriptions of the test conditions.
Table 4. Comparison of chemical additions and operational parameters for test conditions F6 and F7
Parameter Test Condition F6 Test Condition F7
Conditioning Duration 7 minutes Similar to F6
Potassium Isobutyl Xanthate (PIBX) 200 g/t 200 g/t
Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol (MIBC) 20 g/t 20 g/t
Sodium Silicate — 1000 g/t (added to grinding mill)
pH Adjustment (by lime) pH 9.2 pH 9.2
Cumulative Flotation Times (minutes) 2, 3, 7, 11, 15, 19, 23 Similar to F6
Air Flowrate (L/min) 3, 3, 4, 5 (remaining) Similar to F6
Froth Removal Rate 1 stroke/5 sec 1 stroke/5 sec
Table 5. Detailed parameters and reagents used in the cleaning flotation tests FCL1, FCL2, FCL3, and FCL4
Parameter Test FCL1 Test FCL2 Test FCL3 Test FCL4
Ethyl Xanthate (g/t) 0.050 5 5 5
MIBC (g/t) 6.15 11 11 11
Sodium Silicate (g/t) — — — 500
Dep C (g/t) — — — 200
Regrinding Particle Size (micrometers) — 53 75 Similar to FCL2
pH ~10.5 ~10.5 ~10.5 ~10.5
Cumulative Flotation Times (minutes) 2.5, 4.5, 7, 9.5 Similar to FCL1 Similar to FCL1 Similar to FCL1
Air Flowrates (L/min) 1, 2, 2, 3 1, 2, 2, 3 1, 2, 3, 3 1, 2, 3, 3
Froth Removal Rate 1 stroke/5 sec 1 stroke/5 sec 1 stroke/5 sec 1 stroke/5 sec