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By Y. Okita

The Goro Nickel Process, developed over a ten-year period, uses a number of novel processing steps and treats two ore types, limonite and saprolite, together. Nickel and cobalt are solubilized using a 270°C pressure acid leach in sulphuric acid, which rejects the bulk of the Fe into the leach residue as hematite particles. The leach liquor, after CCD, is aerated to oxidize any ferrous iron to the ferric form and is neutralized with limestone to precipitate iron as hydroxides together with gypsum from the neutralization of the free acid. Further neutralization with lime, together with steps to remove suspended solids, reduces the iron to trace concentrations. Nickel and cobalt are directly recovered from the low-iron leach solution by primary solvent extraction using Cyanex 301® (SXl) in a high-strength hydrochloric acid solution. Nickel is subsequently separated from cobalt in a secondary solvent extraction circuit using tri-isooctylamine. A granular nickel oxide is made by pyrohydrolysis, and this allows the recycling of hydrochloric acid to SXl. The process is currently being commercialized to produce approximately 60,000 t/y of nickel as nickel oxide granules and approximately 5,400 t/y of cobalt as cobalt carbonate. This paper describes the process development to control the Fe concentration in the SX1 feed solution.

Jan 1, 2006

By H. Golzarpoor

Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is a methodology for evaluating the environmental impacts associated with a product during its life cycle. LCA is identified as the most reliable method for verifying environmental impacts; however, current LCA-based approaches have certain limitations for environmental analysis of construction products. Integration of the LCA methodology with Discrete Event Simulation (DES) provides a sound framework for modeling and analysing the environmental impacts of construction products. LCA and DES is one possible combination for analysing the cause and effect of various scenarios where time, resources, and randomness of input variables affect the outcome and, therefore, has the potential to address the shortcomings of LCA in construction. Recent studies in disciplines other than construction such as manufacturing systems have revealed positive effects on evaluation of environmental metrics while integrating LCA with DES; however, this integration has not yet been applied for environmental analysis of construction products. By implementing LCA data in a DES model, this research proposes an environmental model of earthmoving operations in a case study. Environmental variables are simultaneously assessed with production variables in the same simulation model and the integration of DES and LCA is discussed.

Aug 1, 2013

By A. M. Abdel-Rehim

The present work reports a study of production of thorium concentrate from Egyptian monazite by decomposition of ammonium carbonate solutions containing ammonium thorium and uranyl carbonate complexes. These solutions were obtained from the processing of monazite by alkaline leaching in ball-mill autoclaves, followed by selective separation of thorium and uranium from lanthanides by autoclave leaching of the hydroxide cake obtained with ammonium carbonate - bicarbonate solutions. The separation of thorium and uranium in the form of thorium concentrate from their carbonate complexes was achieved by different methods, including neutralization of solutions at pH = 6.7 by acid, addition of alkali at pH = 11.5, heating of solution at 100°C and processing of carbonate solution with steam under pressure in steel autoclaves. Processing of solutions of thorium and uranyl carbonate complexes in an autoclave with steam causes their decomposition. Complete recovery of thorium 99.8% and 98.4% uranium recovery in thorium concentrate was attained at 120°C and steam pressure 2 atm, within 10 min. Meanwhile, the recovery of lanthanides was low and did not exceed 1.1%. The thorium concentrate produced contains 67.82% Th, 4.6% U and 3.14% REE. All methods achieve complete separation of thorium and uranium from their carbonate solutions, but the first two methods are unfavourable for the industry due to the high cost of reagents and their inability to regenerate the ammonium carbonate. The decomposition of ammonium thorium and uranyl carbonate complexes with steam under pressure is recommended for industrial application for its simplicity and the ability to regenerate the ammonium carbonate.

Jan 1, 2004

By G. B. Harris, C. W. White

Cyanide has been used for the recovery of gold since the mid 1800s, but several jurisdictions have already banned its use, and environmental pressures are increasing to finding an alternative. Gold also forms chloride complexes similar to those of cyanide, but the use of chloride has never achieved widespread acceptance. This paper describes a chloride-based flowsheet, wherein the key unit process is the recovery and recycle of chloride ion. It is shown that the chloride-based flowsheet is competitive economically with the conventional cyanide-based flowsheets, and that it has a number of other advantages, particularly environmentally.

Jan 1, 2011

By C. Butcher

Numerical simulations of straight tube hydroforming of a dual phase steel were performed using both upper and lower bound constitutive models for porous ductile materials. The Gurson model is based upon an upper bound approximation to the material behavior and thus overestimates formability. Conversely, a lower bound solution to Gurson's unit cell geometry was developed by Sun and Wang to provide a conservative estimate of formability. The effect of a compressive axial load (end-feed) on damage development and tube formability is investigated. The resulting upper and lower bound models successfully captured the experimentally determined burst pressure, formability and failure location.

Jan 1, 2010

By George W. Bain

Summary During the last three years the discovery of gold in the belt of volcanic and sedimentary rocks extending eastward from the Porcupine and Kirkland Lake gold-fields has caused a great deal of excitement in mining circles. The area is heavily drift covered, and every aid to the location of veins is eagerly grasped. A knowledge of the physiographic history of the area is of the utmost importance in the application of many of these aids. Evidence is presented to show that glacial erosion has lowered the general elevation very little below the pre-glacial level, and that many glacial erratics have been carried less than three miles southward. Probably a knowledge of the general geology of a: region was never more necessary to the understanding of the distribution and continuation in depth of the mineral veins than in this area. Four distinct granites occur in the region, and gold-bearing veins are genetically associated with only one of these. Two types of quartz-feldspar porphyries have been found, only one of which has any bearing on the locus of the mineral veins. Many other examples of this complexity of associations might be cited, but everyone goes to show that in most cases the economic importance of the deposits can be realized only after the regional geology is understood. A series of sandstone, limestone and shale intruded by granite lies unconformably below the Keewatin lavas. The latter are intruded by a gneissoid granite and are overlain unconformably by the thick series of Timiskaming greywackes and silts. These are intruded by carbonated syenites and syenite porphyries which have since been rendered somewhat schistose.

Jan 1, 1927

By R. J. Craig

Introduction All mining operations produce rock dust. Inhalation of rock dust, particularly if it has a high silica content, causes silicosis. Silicosis is, therefore, recognized as a hazard of the mining industry and has been made compensable throughout most of Canada. Most of the dust in any mining operation is caused by rock drilling and blasting operations and the movement and transportation of broken rock. Dust from blasting cannot be eliminated, but it can be controlled by means of increased ventilation, the use of water sprays, and the control of blasting hours. Dust from ore movement can be reduced by keeping the broken rock in a moist condition at all times. The dust from the rock drilling operation has been found to be the most difficult to control. Concentrations of dust caused by rock drills in stopes can usually be reduced to the safe minimum of 300 particles per cubic centimeter (p.p.c.c.) by diluting the air with increased ventilation. In development headings, where the machines are more confined, this is not always practicable. Therefore, the dust must be eliminated at its source. This paper deals with the reduction of dust from Leyner machines by adopting improved designs.

Jan 1, 1947

By N. J. Duncan

"Coal mining, whether surface or underground, has hazards that make it unique in the field of industrial safety and health. The often soft, faulted and folded sedimentary strata make wall or roof movement a risk to the safe and economic removal of the coal, while the extraction and handling of coal may create an explosion hazard even in surface operations, In Canada, these problems are compounded by the situation of the coal fields which range from deep undersea deposits in Nova Scotia to steeply pitching thick coal seams high in the Rocky Mountains. Climate too can create its own problems, particularly the effect of metals of minus 40°C temperatures, as crumpled dragline booms at prairie strip mines witness. Because of the difficult and sometimes hazardous conditions, Canada's underground colliery managers, in common with those of other Commonwealth coal-producing countries, must have a government ""certificate of competency"" before being appointed as mine managers. Certification of assistant managers (""under-managers"") and foremen (""fire-bosses"") is also a legal requirement for all of Canada's underground collieries, while the province of Alberta requires certification of surface management personnel. Electricians and mechanics who install and maintain the specially designed equipment underground and in hazardous areas of surface mines and processing plants, and mine surveyors who ensure accuracy of the location of underground workings, must also hold government certificates of competency. The requisites for all certification include a minimum work experience and knowledge of coal mining technology and mine safety and health legislation. Despite recognition of the hazards and increasing knowledge of methods of preventing explosions of flammable gas and coal dust in Canada's underground mines, there have been several disastrous explosions such as those at Springhill Colliery in Nova Scotia in 1891 with the loss of 125 lives, at Hillcrest Colliery in Alberta in 1914 with 189 dead, and more recently · explosions and fires in No. 20 and No. 26 Collieries in Cape Breton. Preventing explosions has required developing optimal ventilation techniques, reducing ignition potential, suppressing ignition at source, draining flammable gas before it can enter the air courses, and preventing, or sealing off, autogenous heatings with their associated carbon monoxide or explosion dangers."

Jan 1, 1985

By Taisuke Sakakibara, Shinya Suzuki, Tatsuya Kato, Chiharu Tokoro, Kenichi Muto

Surface complexation using a diffuse layer model were constructed for arsenic (As(V)), zinc (Zn(II)) and silicate (Si(IV)) for aluminum hydroxide in the co-precipitation process. From experimental investigations using isotherms, zeta potential measurement and XRD analysis, it was confirmed that co-precipitation involved not only surface complexation but also surface precipitation. However, surface complexation was major mechanism for As(V), Zn(II) and Si(IV) removal under the target removal level of the Japanese effluent standard. In surface complexation modeling, exchange capacity of aluminum hydroxide was determined from specific surface area obtained from experimental measurement and site density obtained from reference. Surface complexation coefficients were determined by fitting the removal property and sorption isotherm obtained from co-precipitation experiments. These parameters were in agreement with the numerical parameters found by Karamalidis and Dzombak (2010) who reported a database of adsorption equilibrium constants for gibbsite. The surface complexation models constructed in this study were applied to neutralization process of an actual AMD treatment. Our model could successfully represent the pH edges for As(V), Zn(II) and Si(IV) in the neutralization of AMD.

Jan 1, 2015

By D J. Murray

This paper outlines the principles of friction hoisting and the components involved, and gives a description of a specific mine hoist. Friction hoisting is compared with conventional drum hoisting, and the depth of shaft at which friction hoists become more economical than drum hoists, with respect to power consumption, is determined. Introduction T HE purpose of this paper is to outline the principles of friction hoisting, to describe the components and to show the advantages of multi-rope friction hoisting. Some calculations are made to show that the power requirements and the initial costs of friction hoists are less than those of conventional drum hoists, once a certain depth of shaft has been reached. The use of multi-rope friction hoists is gradually superseding the employment of the conventional drum hoist in many parts of the world. It results in heavier payloads from deeper levels, an increase in shaft safe-ty and a more compact installation for protection against adverse weather conditions. It was observed that where drums and friction sheaves exceeded 30 feet in diameter, a number of mechanical disadvantages were being experienced;

Jan 1, 1965

By D. Warkentin, M. Tomlinson, A. Nacu

"This study focuses on comparing the “blinding” effectiveness of various organic additives as part of a general review of using organic additives to mitigate preg-robbing and improve gold recovery during cyanide leaching of carbonaceous gold ores. The laboratory results compared the impact of various organic additives on the prevention of gold adsorption using both activated carbon and ore samples containing carbonaceous matter, generally referred to as total carbonaceous matter (TCM). Although several organic reagents were found to have a significant blinding effect on activated carbon, these results did not translate into increased gold leaching efficiencies with actual ore samples.INTRODUCTION Preg-robbing refractory ores, which contain carbonaceous matter, have been problematic in cyanide plants for many years. In industry, preg-robbing by carbonaceous matter may be mitigated using various techniques including flotation, to remove the carbonaceous matter; addition of blinding agents, to passivate the carbon surface and prevent adsorption of gold cyanide complex; roasting, to partially or fully destroy the carbonaceous matter; chemical oxidation (Abotsi & Osseo-Asare, 1986); pressure oxidation; or microbial deactivation (Dunne, Staunton, & Afewu, 2013). Carbon-in-Leach and Resin-in-Leach are also used as process alternatives in which activated carbon or resins are used to compete with the carbonaceous matter for gold cyanide adsorption. For highly preg-robbing ores, thiosulphate leaching may be considered as an alternative to conventional cyanide chemistry (Baláz, et al., 2000). Natural carbonaceous matter is composed mainly of hydrocarbons, organic acids, and graphitic/amorphous elemental carbon. Natural elemental carbon that behaves as activated carbon is considered to be the main reason for preg-robbing, although the true nature of this phenomenon is not fully understood (Tan, Feng, Lukey, & van Deventer, 2005). In general, the hydrocarbon fraction is assumed to have negligible interaction with gold, while organic acids, such as humic acids, may form complexes with gold, inhibiting its extraction in cyanide solutions. Organic reagents have been used for blinding carbonaceous matter in gold ores prior to cyanidation. Abotsi & Osseo-Asare (1987) tested various organic compounds, with two possible effects in mind. First, the organic compounds were expected to adsorb onto the surface of the solids as anionic/cationic species; the resulting electrostatic interactions between the Au(CN)2- anion and the negatively/positively charged surface would inhibit/enhance the gold uptake. Second, the organic reagents were expected to coat the surface of the carbonaceous component in the ore, limiting the available adsorption sites and reducing gold losses. Optimal reagent dosage depends on ore mineralogy, maturity and surface area of the carbo"

Jan 1, 2019

By Peter A. Hacquebard

"The coals of the Sydney and Pictou coalfields are generally classed as high volatile ""A "" and medium volatile bituminous coals but there are significant differences within and even beyond this rank. These are related to the observation that the coalification in eastern Canada is essentially post-deformational, resulting in a general increase of rank with depth in individual seams.Exploration drilling in the Sydney coalfield has shown that the rank increases offshore to M. V. bituminous at mineable depths and in the Pictou field to L. V. bituminous coal. There is also a marked easterly shift in rank within one seam at the same depth at Sydney, with the result that M. V. coal will be reached sooner in the Donkin Reserve area (at 700 m depth) than in the Lingan-No , 26 Reserve area (at 900 m depth). These rank changes are important for the manufacturing of metallurgical coke as shown with coke stability predictions based on petrographic analyses. The L. V. coal of the Pictou field can be used for blending purposes and is the only known L. V. deposit of mineable thickness in eastern Canada.In addition, the vertical rank changes between seams have been studied in ten boreholes. They are not constant within the confines of the Sydney coalfield. Four separate areas can be recognized, each with different coalification gradients, which can be related to changes in the paleogeothermal gradients . Variations of 2.5 degrees to 6. 7 degrees CI IOO m are indicated and geological causes for these changes are suggested.IntroductionThe Sydney coalfield is the largest and most important field in eastern Can ad a, and although it has been in production some 200 years, the remaining ""demonstrated "" resources of 1.6 billion metric tons can extend its production capability for at least another 100 years. All coals mined are high volatile "" A"" bituminous and have been used for both thermal and metallurgical purposes. For the latter rank variations even of a minor scale are of critical importance for the manufacturing of metallurgical coke.The significance at the present time of the Pictou coalfield, which has only modest remaining "" demonstrated"" resources of 60 million metric ton s, lies in the discovery in 1975 of a 14-million-ton deposit of low volatile bituminous coal. It is the only known low-volatile coal in eastern Canada and is suitable for use as a blend for metallurgical coal. As such, it could supply the Sydney coke ovens for a period of 30 years at the current rate o f coke production and replace imported American low volatile coal.Consequently, coal rank studies of the Sydney and Pictou fields are important not only from a geological point of view, but also because of economic considerations."

Jan 1, 1984

By K. C. Corin, Z. G. Song, J. G. Wiese

In the present study the effect of using different grinding media, viz, ceramic balls, forged steel balls, 15% Cr steel balls, stainless steel and mixture of stainless steel and 15% Cr steel balls (50:50) on the flotation performance of a Platinum Group Mineral (PGM) UG2 ore was investigated. Test work was conducted using a laboratory scale horizontal tumbling mill and a batch flotation cell. Power draw to achieve a specific P80 was determined for each media type. Changes in flotation behaviour were evaluated in terms of particle size distribution, water recovery, solid recovery and valuable mineral recovery. pH, Eh and DO levels were also measured. Grinding products of five different media produced similar solids and water recovery, which is indicative of the froth characteristics, but the grades and recoveries of PGE and chromite were different. The product obtained when using ceramic media showed the best flotation performance, producing the highest PGE recovery and the lowest Cr2O3 recovery. The products obtained when using stainless steel balls (SS) produced the lowest PGE recovery and highest Cr2O3 grade and recovery. The paper proposes possible reasons to explain these observations which may have significant importance for the operation of a PGM concentrator.

Jan 1, 2015

By Rob Kelso

What is a Lunabot? ?Robot Controlled Remotely or Autonomously ?Visual and Auditory Isolation from Operator ?Excavates Black Point 1 (BP-1) Simulant ?Weight Limit - 80 kg ?Dimension Limits - 1.5m width x .75m length x .75m height ?Designed, Built and Tested by University Student Teams

May 1, 2013

By Brad Bjornson, Geoff Stevens, Mike Ashar, Cliff Britch

"LocationThe facilities are located 30 km north of Fort McMurray, Alberta (or 470 km northeast of Edmonton, Alberta).Brief Description of OperationThe operation includes the mining of oil sands, extraction of bitumen from the oil sands, and upgrading of the hydrocarbon fraction prior to shipment via pipelines to refineries.HistorySuncor was initially called Great Canadian Oil Sands. It was started by Sun Oil of Philadelphia. Construction began in 1965, with the first production coming on September 1967.Details of Present Milling Practice (Plant 3)Plant 3 recovers bitumen from the oil sand using the Clark hot water process. The basic steps in the process are conditioning, primary recovery, secondary recovery and tailings oil recovery.Oil Sand Feed SystemThe oil sand feed from the mine is transferred to the feed bin in extraction by two conveyor systems. Oil sand analyzers on each conveyor system measure the amount of bitumen and fines in the ore. Cones at the bottom of the feed bin distribute the oil sand to five process lines. Feed flow from each cone is regulated by an apron feeder which transfers the oil sand to conveyors that discharge into the conditioning drums. Weightometers on each of these five conveyors measure the rate at which the oil sand is delivered into the drums. The oil sand feed rate to each drum can be adjusted by varying the speed of the apron feeders."

Jan 1, 2000

By M. Askari, A. Ahmadi

"This study was conducted to establish the possible application of bioleaching in the pilot scale to recover valuable metals from the sulfidic tailings of Golgohar Iron Mine (Kerman, Iran). Using bioleaching processes, solvent extraction and sulfide precipitation recovery of valuable metals including, copper, cobalt and nickel from the tailing was investigated. The results showed that the optimum pH and temperature conditions relative to the bioleaching step was 1.5 and 45°C. The extraction of the metals from the low grade polymetal resource with complex mineralogy is very important from economic, environmental and technical point of views. Moreover, the proposed method has some advantages from energy saving, tailing management and creating added value from waste materials aspects.INTRODUCTION The growing demand for base metals and strategic such as: copper, nickel and cobalt as well as high-grade resource depletion has caused them, the mining industry to extract metals from low-grade resources and driven by complex mineralogy (Xie et al., 2005). Economic extraction of metals with low grade sources requires low-cost and efficient processing methods. A source with enormous potential for metals in future, secondary sources, such as: tailings mineral industries which the lack of appropriate technology and the high cost of processing weren't recoverable with previous procedures in the past. But it is possible that with develop new and efficient technologies have the economic exploitation ability. Recovery of metals from tailings resources is very important not only in terms of precious metals but also in terms of reducing environmental problems (due to heavy metals). The metals of copper, nickel and cobalt are mainly like sulfide compounds in the nature, usually for their recovery, first they make ore with flotation method to obtain the sulfide concentrate that containing valuable metals. then for the metal production, it will be melt and purification. Due to the environmental aspects, technical problems in the recovery of base metals from low grade ore and mixes, the presence of small reserves, in the past three decades they pay much attention to the use of hydrometallurgical processes for the recovery of base metals from these resources. These processes are classified according to the solver agent to leaching sulfates, chlorides, nitrates and amines (Hackl, 1995). Early, chloride leaching under oxidation condition in acidic or alkaline solutions was recognized the best process to produce sulfide concentrates. But then the basic processes sulfates was considered as the superior process because of being easier, a better understanding of the chemistry of leaching and recovery of base metals, especially copper from the environment easier sulfate solution with an organic solvent extraction and electro winning. The bioleaching is shown its ability on a commercial scale of low-grade sulfide minerals and ore that because of environmental reasons, the possibility of melting is not possible to them. The existing industrial base factories are based on primarily on the bioleaching and pressure leaching and recovery of cathode copper sulfate solution by extraction with organic solvents (SX) and electrowinning (EW) (Wang, 2005). Preliminary analysis has shown that valuable elements such as copper, nickel and cobalt are in the float flotation unit. Hence the plan to extract these metals from the wet tailing stream has been done."

Jan 1, 2017

By A. K. Croteau

"At Craigmont Mines Limited, Merritt, B.C., the mining practice of trackless sub-level caving was started in the latter part of 1966. This type of mining was new to the mine personnel and the mining industry of Canada as a whole. Sub-level caving has presented many old and a number of new problems in maintaining the equipment used in this method. This paper will deal with some of these problems as they affect this particular mining operation. It will be impossible to review all phases of the equipment, but an attempt will be made to cover the most pertinent aspects in maintaining the drilling, mucking and hauling, and auxiliary equipment."

Jan 1, 1970

By C. Bergstrand

"Precipitation of gypsum and the formation of scale may pose a serious challenge in the leaching of several minerals. As an example, precipitated gypsum may form scale in the machines increasing the need for maintenance. Alternatively, it may encapsulate precious elements, i.e. gold and lower the recovery during subsequent leach processes. In this work we explore how different biopolymers modify the rheology of gypsum at three different pH levels at ambient and elevated temperatures. The ability to disperse gypsum vary with temperature, pH and biopolymer. It is also inversely related to the scaling potential. Measurements of the zeta potential as a function of increasing amounts of biopolymer reveals that the magnitude of the zeta potential changes in the presence of biopolymer, and so does the ability to disperse the gypsum suspension. Similar results with hematite will also be discussed. The methodology and results may aid in the selection of additives used in mineral processing applications where scale pose a problem.INTRODUCTION Processing of refractory gold ores normally involve either atmospheric or oxidation under pressure in order to convert sulfides to oxides (Weir, King, & Robinson, 1986; Weir, Robinson, & King, 1986). This conversion facilitates leaching of gold (and silver) in normal CIL processes. During oxidation, sulfides are converted to sulfates. Normally, there is an abundance of calcium ions in the process water, either released from the ore or added as lime to adjust pH for the CIL process. Precipitation of calcium sulfate, or other compounds (calcium carbonate, jarosite, hematite) is a way to remove gangue minerals from the solution entering the CIL circuit (Ji, King, Fleming, & Ferron, 2010). Precipitation may also cause challenges in the process as gold (or other valuable elements) may become encapsulated in gangue. (Beauchamp, Choung, & Xu, 2006). In addition to precipitation, the precipitated gangue minerals may solidify and form scale in the processing equipment. Recently, Lauten and Kluck (2016) found that dispersants used as scale inhibitors to prevent encapsulation of gypsum did not modify the solubility of gypsum. In the utilised model system, similar amounts of gypsum precipitated with and without dispersants. Instead, it was found that the dispersants evaluated as scale inhibitors reduced the yield stress of gypsum suspensions. The reduced yield stress was associated with a reduced tendency for gypsum particles to agglomerate and form scale."

Jan 1, 2017

By W. N. Hamilton

"Evaporites abound in the Western Canada sedimentary basin, recurring throughout the stratigraphic column and widely scattered over the basin region. Alberta, situated centrally over the basin, includes many of the evaporites within its borders, but only a few have the right geological conditions to form potential economic deposits of salt or gypsum. These include the Middle Devonian Elk Point Group and related evaporites, Upper Devonian Wabamun Group-Palliser Formation evaporites, and evaporites of the 'Triassic Charlie Lake and Whitehorse formations.Salt deposits underlie almost half of Alberta. The major deposits belong to the Elk Point Group, which includes thick salt units in the Lotsberg, Cold Lake and Prairie Evaporite formations. Another, younger salt deposit in the Wabamun Group has only local distribution. Elk Point salts have a maximum aggregate thickness of 430 m in east-central Alberta. The deposits deepen southwestward across the province, from minimum depths of210 m at Fort McMurray to 1820 m at Edmonton.The thickest, most extensive salt deposits are the upper Lotsberg and Prairie Evaporite salts. Both have excellent development potential. The upper Lotsberg is up to 150 m thick, consists of clear, very coarse crystalline halite with only minor impurities, and has a notable lack of non-salt strata in its succession. Analytical data for the Lotsberg Salt show extraordinary chemical purity. Prairie Evaporite Salt differs lithologically from the Lotsberg in having a significant non-salt component. The deposit is up to 200 m thick and consists of medium crystalline halite, brownish coloured and cloudy as a result of finely dispersed impurities. The main impurities-shale, anhydrite and dolomite-are most prevalent as interbeds in the salt succession, ranging from very thin laminae to beds several metres thick. Although of lesser purity, the Prairie Evaporite Salt is shallower, thicker and more extensive than the Lotsberg and the salt quality is quite acceptable for most industrial uses."

Jan 1, 1982

By Qingxia Liu, Mingbo Zhang, Hongbo Zeng

The shortage of freshwater has been a major challenge for mineral flotation in arid areas. When using high salinity water, certain electrolytes are detrimental to flotation while others can improve the flotability of minerals. In this paper, the flotation behaviors and contact angles of pyrite in both Milli-Q water and high salinity water were investigated using different collectors at various pH levels. Results show that the thionocarbamate has a less affinity to pyrite in different solutions under mildly alkaline conditions as compared with potassium amyl xanthate (PAX) and N-isopropoxypropyl-N’-ethoxycarbonyl thiourea (iPOPECTU). At high pH levels, the slime coating on pyrite surfaces, which is caused by colloidal precipitates of magnesium and calcium ions in seawater, was confirmed by SEM, EDX and in-situ zeta potential measurement. The slime coating of colloidal precipitates on mineral surfaces led to low recovery of pyrite at high pH levels. The study of flotation behavior of pyrite in high salinity water improves our fundamental understanding of mineral flotation in seawater.

Jan 1, 2015