Influence of mineralogy on upgrading of Polish copper ores

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School of Chemical Engineering | Master's thesis
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Date

2010

Department

Kemian laitos

Major/Subject

Prosessien ohjaus ja hallinta

Mcode

Kem-90

Degree programme

Language

en

Pages

viii + 60 s. + liitt.

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Abstract

Upgrading curves play a significant role in the visualization and analysis of mineral separation results. Analysis of any separation from the upgrading point of view takes into account certain basic components such as the yield and content. Since these components can be combined into an unlimited number of new parameters, there are many upgrading curves. Each curve has its own unique way of analysing separation results. However, all these curves are generated from separation results without considering the influence of mineralogy on them. The thesis centres on the influence of mineralogy on the upgrading of Polish copper ore. The literature part of this thesis reviewed the theory of upgrading and separation curves. Many upgrading curves and their characteristics are described. Chemometric analysis and their application are also discussed in the literature part and mathematical equations for the upgrading of separation results reviewed. The data used for this thesis was obtained from three mineral processing plants in Poland and included data on flotation results, mineralogy results and litho logical layer percentages. Geological samples were taken from different mining areas of the processing plant with sandstone, shale and dolomite as the lithological layers. Fuerstenau and Halbich upgrading curves are used for the approximation and determination of upper maximum practical copper content respectively. Fuerstenau upgrading curves are drawn for the flotation results. These curves were approximated with a characteristic equation into a single parameter which characters the whole upgrading curve. This parameter was changed into a parameter F on the Fuerstenau upgrading curve through an equation. The maximum practical copper content (MPC) in the concentrate was obtained by using the Halbich upgrading curve. Maximum theoretical copper content (MTC) was determined through calculation from the mineralogical results. A calibration curve was developed which correlates maximum practical content and upper maximum theoretical content. Chemometric analyses between the copper content, the flotation parameter and mineralogical results were conducted to identify the influence of minerals on flotation and copper content in the concentrate. The same analysis was conducted on the flotation parameter and the lithological layer results. The results of the experiments showed that galena and pyrite are detrimental to the flotation of copper while the presence of bornite enhanced the copper content in the concentrate. Lithological chemometric analysis showed shale as responding poorly to flotation. The calibration curve which was developed can aid in forecasting and predicting the copper content in the concentrate by conducting mineralogical analysis. This curve is, however case specific and cannot be applied to other ores with different mineralogical characteristics.

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Supervisor

Jämsä-Jounela, Sirkka-Liisa

Thesis advisor

Drzymala, Jan

Keywords

upgrading curves, mineralogy, flotation

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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-2020122357530

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[dipl] Kemian tekniikan korkeakoulu / CHEM