XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 553
The data suggest that the pre-concentration process
effectively separates carbonates, reducing acid consumption
while enhancing copper recovery. This efficiency in classifi-
cation supports an optimistic outlook for the application of
SBS in maximizing copper yield from oxidized copper ores,
while concurrently minimizing operational costs associated
with acid usage. The inverse relationship between copper
recovery and acid usage underscores the effectiveness of the
process in targeting and removing carbonate-rich fractions
early, thereby optimizing the subsequent leaching stages.
Pre-Concentration Performance Comparison:
Jig X SBS
The Ipueira Mine, operated by Companhia de Ferro
Ligas da Bahia (Ferbasa), stands out as a key project for
chromite ore production, utilizing both traditional and
advanced mineral concentration methods. Ferbasa employs
pneumatic jigging for the –19 +9mm size fraction using
a BATAC jig, which separates minerals based on density
differences. The BATAC pneumatic jigging, which sepa-
rates particles based on density, produces three outputs:
lump, mixed, and reject. SBS is used for the –100 +30mm
fraction, specifically the Steinert KSS L XT, which uses sen-
sors to distinguish minerals based on physical properties.
Ferbasa’s commitment to advanced technology is evident in
its use of SBS, currently with 6 units, which allows for dry
processing and significantly reduces water dependency—a
crucial advantage given the region’s water scarcity.
Sarubbi, et al. (2024) performed a comparative study
aiming to evaluate the efficiency and benefits of these two
methods for the jig size fraction of –19 +9mm, focusing
on parameters such as separation efficiency, metallurgical
recovery, and operational sustainability. The results pre-
sented for jigging were obtained through the production
history of the installed equipment for the year of 2023
(Table 2). For SBS technology, the results presented were
obtained through a single test on industrial-scale equip-
ment, conducted in a laboratory environment.
Figure 5. Cascade employed for the oxidized copper study
Table 1. – Sensor-based-sorting trial results for an oxidized copper ore feed
Size Fraction Stage Mass, %CuS Upgrade CuS Recovery Acid Consumption
–2" +1"
Drop 3
Eject 3
Eject 2
Eject 1
82.8%
10.6%
4.2%
2.4%
0.9
2.0
0.2
0.2
77.4%
21.7%
0.6%
0.3%
39.1%
16.0%
223.7%
179.1%
–1" +0,5"
Drop 3
Eject 3
Eject 2
Eject 1
60.2%
19.4%
10.6%
9.7%
1.0
1.7
0.6
0.2
57.9%
34.7%
5.8%
1.7%
51.6%
26.4%
85.4%
212.9%
The data suggest that the pre-concentration process
effectively separates carbonates, reducing acid consumption
while enhancing copper recovery. This efficiency in classifi-
cation supports an optimistic outlook for the application of
SBS in maximizing copper yield from oxidized copper ores,
while concurrently minimizing operational costs associated
with acid usage. The inverse relationship between copper
recovery and acid usage underscores the effectiveness of the
process in targeting and removing carbonate-rich fractions
early, thereby optimizing the subsequent leaching stages.
Pre-Concentration Performance Comparison:
Jig X SBS
The Ipueira Mine, operated by Companhia de Ferro
Ligas da Bahia (Ferbasa), stands out as a key project for
chromite ore production, utilizing both traditional and
advanced mineral concentration methods. Ferbasa employs
pneumatic jigging for the –19 +9mm size fraction using
a BATAC jig, which separates minerals based on density
differences. The BATAC pneumatic jigging, which sepa-
rates particles based on density, produces three outputs:
lump, mixed, and reject. SBS is used for the –100 +30mm
fraction, specifically the Steinert KSS L XT, which uses sen-
sors to distinguish minerals based on physical properties.
Ferbasa’s commitment to advanced technology is evident in
its use of SBS, currently with 6 units, which allows for dry
processing and significantly reduces water dependency—a
crucial advantage given the region’s water scarcity.
Sarubbi, et al. (2024) performed a comparative study
aiming to evaluate the efficiency and benefits of these two
methods for the jig size fraction of –19 +9mm, focusing
on parameters such as separation efficiency, metallurgical
recovery, and operational sustainability. The results pre-
sented for jigging were obtained through the production
history of the installed equipment for the year of 2023
(Table 2). For SBS technology, the results presented were
obtained through a single test on industrial-scale equip-
ment, conducted in a laboratory environment.
Figure 5. Cascade employed for the oxidized copper study
Table 1. – Sensor-based-sorting trial results for an oxidized copper ore feed
Size Fraction Stage Mass, %CuS Upgrade CuS Recovery Acid Consumption
–2" +1"
Drop 3
Eject 3
Eject 2
Eject 1
82.8%
10.6%
4.2%
2.4%
0.9
2.0
0.2
0.2
77.4%
21.7%
0.6%
0.3%
39.1%
16.0%
223.7%
179.1%
–1" +0,5"
Drop 3
Eject 3
Eject 2
Eject 1
60.2%
19.4%
10.6%
9.7%
1.0
1.7
0.6
0.2
57.9%
34.7%
5.8%
1.7%
51.6%
26.4%
85.4%
212.9%