6
of the samples tested. Table 1 shows the bulk mineralogy
of the primary geologic types at Mantoverde. The kinetic
parameters derived from the FKT tests are presented in
Table 2. As expected, the pyrite and cobalt closely align with
respect to the Rmax and rate constant for each of the tests.
The relatively fine particle size of the pyrite in the cleaner
tails, combined with the high-rate constants and Rmax led
Capstone to select pneumatic flotation technology for this
application. An illustrative 3D rendering of the flotation
retrofit, including pyrite concentrate thickener, is shown in
Figure 5.
Bioleach Conversion
The cobaltiferous pyrite concentrate is thickened and
directed to a bio-oxidative heap leach (bioleach) where it is
leached in dynamic leach pads. The pyrite oxidizes, releasing
the cobalt and creating some byproduct sulfuric acid in situ.
The cobalt is recovered from the solution by treating a bleed
stream of copper SX raffinate through a continuous, coun-
ter-current ion exchange (CCIX) facility. This approach to
by-production of cobalt confers the following benefits:
• It requires significantly lower capex compared with
the pyrometallurgical approach to cobalt liberation
from pyrite (oxidative roasting)
• It reduces acid consumption, as the pyrite is acid-
forming on dissolution.
• The bio-oxidation of pyrite produces ferric ion and
increases the temperature of the heap, both of which
assist in primary copper sulphide leaching
• The pyrite concentrate contains some copper, which
will also leach and report to cathode. This also provides
for an additional degree of freedom when optimizing
the concentrator grade-recovery curve for changing
0.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
40.0
50.0
60.0
70.0
80.0
90.0
100.0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Time, min
Pyrite Recovery
Celso MVS MVN MR
Figure 4 Pyrite scavenging batch kinetics
Table 2. Simplified Modal Mineralogy for composite samples representing four ore zones at Mantoverde
Mineral Mantoverde North Mantoverde South Manto Ruso Celso
Chalcopyrite 2.838 2.810 2.249 3.187
Calcosite/digenite 0.040 0.023 0.018 0.002
Bornite 0.013 0.001 0.009 0.002
Oxides (Cu) 0.131 0.023 0.003 0.011
Limonite (Cu) 0.063 0.028 0.017 0.001
Pyrite 3.416 3.533 1.910 1.244
Hematite/Magnetite 23.458 19.542 18.448 22.636
Quartz 22.998 32.779 20.343 12.849
K-Feldspar 18.955 12.732 31.671 39.162
Chlorite 7.013 9.674 7.273 11.870
Muscovite/Illite 5.067 6.604 6.078 4.425
Biotite/Flogopite 5.433 4.042 2.679 2.115
Calcite 6.718 3.862 0.229 0.969
Other Gangue 3.857 4.349 9.072 1.525
Sum 100.000 100.000 100.000 100.000
Table 1. Pyrite flotation kinetics parameters for each geological zone
Parameter Unit
FeS
2 Celso
FeS
2 MVS
FeS
2 MVN
FeS
2 MR
Co
Celso
Co
MVS
Co
MVN
Co
MR
Rmax %98.51 98.22 97.61 97.53 96.30 95.85 86.47 83.41
k min‑1 1.86 0.51 2.32 2.24 1.82 0.51 2.42 2.41
Cumulative
Recovery,
%FeS2
of the samples tested. Table 1 shows the bulk mineralogy
of the primary geologic types at Mantoverde. The kinetic
parameters derived from the FKT tests are presented in
Table 2. As expected, the pyrite and cobalt closely align with
respect to the Rmax and rate constant for each of the tests.
The relatively fine particle size of the pyrite in the cleaner
tails, combined with the high-rate constants and Rmax led
Capstone to select pneumatic flotation technology for this
application. An illustrative 3D rendering of the flotation
retrofit, including pyrite concentrate thickener, is shown in
Figure 5.
Bioleach Conversion
The cobaltiferous pyrite concentrate is thickened and
directed to a bio-oxidative heap leach (bioleach) where it is
leached in dynamic leach pads. The pyrite oxidizes, releasing
the cobalt and creating some byproduct sulfuric acid in situ.
The cobalt is recovered from the solution by treating a bleed
stream of copper SX raffinate through a continuous, coun-
ter-current ion exchange (CCIX) facility. This approach to
by-production of cobalt confers the following benefits:
• It requires significantly lower capex compared with
the pyrometallurgical approach to cobalt liberation
from pyrite (oxidative roasting)
• It reduces acid consumption, as the pyrite is acid-
forming on dissolution.
• The bio-oxidation of pyrite produces ferric ion and
increases the temperature of the heap, both of which
assist in primary copper sulphide leaching
• The pyrite concentrate contains some copper, which
will also leach and report to cathode. This also provides
for an additional degree of freedom when optimizing
the concentrator grade-recovery curve for changing
0.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
40.0
50.0
60.0
70.0
80.0
90.0
100.0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Time, min
Pyrite Recovery
Celso MVS MVN MR
Figure 4 Pyrite scavenging batch kinetics
Table 2. Simplified Modal Mineralogy for composite samples representing four ore zones at Mantoverde
Mineral Mantoverde North Mantoverde South Manto Ruso Celso
Chalcopyrite 2.838 2.810 2.249 3.187
Calcosite/digenite 0.040 0.023 0.018 0.002
Bornite 0.013 0.001 0.009 0.002
Oxides (Cu) 0.131 0.023 0.003 0.011
Limonite (Cu) 0.063 0.028 0.017 0.001
Pyrite 3.416 3.533 1.910 1.244
Hematite/Magnetite 23.458 19.542 18.448 22.636
Quartz 22.998 32.779 20.343 12.849
K-Feldspar 18.955 12.732 31.671 39.162
Chlorite 7.013 9.674 7.273 11.870
Muscovite/Illite 5.067 6.604 6.078 4.425
Biotite/Flogopite 5.433 4.042 2.679 2.115
Calcite 6.718 3.862 0.229 0.969
Other Gangue 3.857 4.349 9.072 1.525
Sum 100.000 100.000 100.000 100.000
Table 1. Pyrite flotation kinetics parameters for each geological zone
Parameter Unit
FeS
2 Celso
FeS
2 MVS
FeS
2 MVN
FeS
2 MR
Co
Celso
Co
MVS
Co
MVN
Co
MR
Rmax %98.51 98.22 97.61 97.53 96.30 95.85 86.47 83.41
k min‑1 1.86 0.51 2.32 2.24 1.82 0.51 2.42 2.41
Cumulative
Recovery,
%FeS2