A review of investigations into the management of gangue in the flotation of platinum group minerals

• Autorzy: O’Connor C. , Wiese J. , Corin K. , McFadzean B.

Identyfikatory

DOI

10.5277/ppmp18141

• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

The Bushveld Complex of South Africa contains almost 90% of the world’s reserves of platinum group minerals (PGMs). In the flotation of PGMs, there are significant challenges arising from the need to treat ever-decreasing grades of the relevant ore deposits. The major challenge in the flotation of these ore bodies is the control and management of the gangue minerals, particularly silicates such as orthopyroxene, plagioclase feldspar, and pyroxene which are often rimmed with talc which makes them naturally floatable. It has been shown that various polysaccharide depressants such as CMC and guar have different properties in terms of depressing the gangue minerals. Since the PGMs are often associated with sulphides, copper sulphate is widely used as an activator in PGM flotation but can inadvertently activate the gangue minerals as well as reduce the recovery of PtTe2 which accounts for up to 40% of the Pt in the Platreef ore body. Depressants also reduce the mass of solids reporting to the froth and can thus destabilize the froth. This effect on the froth can be mitigated by using higher frother dosages or water of higher ionic strength. In summary due care needs to be taken to carry out site test work to develop an optimum ratio of collector, frother, activator and depressant to ensure that the highest grades and recoveries of the PGEs are obtained while reducing depressant dosage as much as possible. Chromite recoveries can be reduced through the application of gravity separation or reducing entrainment through reduced water recovery.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

Depressants; chromite; copper sulphate; platinum group minerals

• Wydawca: Oficyna Wydawnicza Politechniki Wrocławskiej
• Czasopismo: Physicochemical Problems of Mineral Processing
• Rocznik: 2018
• Tom: Vol. 54, iss. 4
• Strony: 1107--1115
• Opis fizyczny: Bibliogr. 34 poz., rys., tab.

Twórcy

autor

O’Connor C.

• University of Cape Town

autor

Wiese J.

• University of Cape Town

autor

Corin K.

• University of Cape Town

autor

McFadzean B.

• University of Cape Town

Bibliografia

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• CORIN, K., WIESE, J., 2014. Investigating froth stability: A comparative study of ionic strength and frother dosage. Minerals Eng. 66-68, 130-134.
• CORIN, K.C., HARRIS, P.J. 2010. Investigation into the flotation response of a sulphide ore to depressant mixtures. Minerals Eng. 23, 915–920.
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Uwagi

PL

Opracowanie rekordu w ramach umowy 509/P-DUN/2018 ze środków MNiSW przeznaczonych na działalność upowszechniającą naukę (2019).