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By Rina Kim

The addition of lead to a gold leaching reactor can effectively accelerate or retard the gold cyanidation reaction. This study explored the effect of lead on the gold dissolution kinetics using cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments. It was illustrated that the gold leaching kinetics in the cyanide solution enhanced with the addition of lead salt in the low overpotential region (–0.35 V vs. Ag/AgCl). The similar behavior was observed in the presence of ore containing 0.25% galena. In contrast, the gold oxidation kinetics retarded at –0.35 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) in the presence of silicate and lead-bearing mineral under certain conditions. Likewise, the lead addition was not functional for the high sulfur ore. This was attributed to the oxidation of the sulfides to the elemental sulfur, which subsequently formed a passivating layer on the gold surface. The results were evidently affirmed by the electrochemical tests and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis.

By A. M. Gaudin, D. W. Fuerstenau, M. M. Turkanis

SOLUBLE silver salts are effective activators for flotation of sphalerite with potassium ethyl xanthate as collector.' Since sphalerite takes up large quantities of silver ions rapidly," investigation of this system appeared fruitful for studying the mechanism of sphalerite activation and deactivation. Experimental data presented here comprise studies of the mechanism and rates of activation and deactivation of sphalerite with silver and cyanide ions. A 20-lb sample of sphalerite from Ottawa County, Oklahoma, was handpicked, crushed, screened, hydrosized to produce a 65/100-mesh fraction, and purified by electrostatic separation. The sphalerite was then leached with benzene and absolute ethyl alcohol to remove possible organic contaminants and with 0.1 M NaCN to remove any copper that might have been picked up during screening. The benzene had been specially purified by grinding with fine sphalerite for 12 hr to remove trace impurities that might have had a specific affinity for sphalerite. Finally, the mineral was washed, dried in flowing nitrogen, and stored in large ground-glass stoppered weighing bottles under a small nitrogen pressure.

Jan 1, 1957

By G. W. Mao, A. M. Gaudin, D. W. Fuerstenau

Activation of sphalerite with copper salts has long been thought of as a chemical reaction of the following form: ZnS + Cu++ [=] CuS + Zn++ [ 1 ] Early experimentation1-3 showed that the reaction seemed to be stopped by the coating of insoluble copper sulfide, but since the analytical methods were crude, it was only surmised that the reaction could proceed by diffusion. Probably the most conclusive evidence for reaction (Eq. 1) was obtained by Cooke,4 who found a stoichiometric replacement of Zn++ by Cu" after 50 days' reaction at about 100°C. Cooke also found the sphalerite to be covered with a rather thick coating of covellite, which in¬dicates that activation is a continuing replacement of Zn++ by Cu" rather than diffusion of Cu" throughout the sphalerite lattice. However, the occurrence of diffusion at high temperatures has been observed.5,6

Jan 4, 1959

By L. S. Leal Filho, L. A. F. Barros, S. M. Assis

Zeta potential determinations and microflotation tests (with starch, sodium oleate and flotigan EDA-B) versus pH, pCa and pMg were performed with apatite and typical silicate minerals that occur in Brazilian phosphate ores: schorlomite, diopside, quartz and micas. Unlike quartz and micas, schorlomite and diopside were depressed by cornstarch during anionic flotation with sodium oleate (pH 1 9). The selectivity of the separation apatite/quartz and apatite/micas by flotation with sodium oleate was adversely affected by the presence of calcium (pCa) and magnesium (pMg) in flotation pulp. Solubility/cation exchange capacity of micas is an important source of dissolved calcium and magnesium in the system.

Jan 1, 2002

By K. N. Subramanian, H. Kanduth

"It is well known that chalcopyrite can be dissociated into simple sulphides by heating with elemental sulphur at about 475°C:CuFeS2 + S -> CuS + FeS2Experimental work was undertaken to determine whether this ""activation"" could be used to advantage in the selective leaching of copper from chalcopyrite concentrate.A method of treating copper concentrate with molten sulphur was developed and the activated product was leached in dilute sulphuric acid using oxygen, ferric iron or manganese dioxide as the oxidant. The object was to obtain a solution suitable for electrowinning with minimal purification, but it was impossible to obtain rapid extraction of copper without simultaneously dissolving a large proportion of iron. This was attributed to the fact that some of the copper was present as a low iron-copper sulphide (idaite) and that the pyrite formed during the ""activation"" step was more easily oxidized than natural pyrite."

Jan 1, 1973

By J. K. Gerlach, E. D. Gock, S. K. Ghosh

Previous experience in leaching chalcopyrite with dilute sulfuric acid has generally resulted in rather poor extraction. However, the reaction rate of the leaching process can be significantly improved by an increase of the crystal lattice defects of the chalcopyrite. It was found that subjecting chalcopyrite to a milling action involving a strong impact, permits 99 percent of the copper to be extracted in a subsequent single leaching stage with at least stoichiometric quantities of sulfuric acid in the presence of oxygen at 100°C. Simultaneously, about 80 to 85 percent of the sulfide sulfur content is converted to elemental sulfur. The dependence of the reaction rate of chalcopyrite on the pretreatment, temperature, oxygen pressure and acid content will be discussed.

Jan 1, 1973

By Nobuhiro Kuriyama

Electrochemical activation behavior of an AB2-Laves-phase type hydrogen storage alloy, Zr0,9Ti0.lNi1.lCo0.1Mn0.6V0.2 was studied to make clear activation process of pellet-type metal hydride electrodes. An alkaline treatment of the electrodes with heated alkaline solution gave alloy surface enriched with nickel, and the treated electrode was more easily activated. The treated electrode desorbed more hydrogen during the first charge-discharge cycle, and was activated without induction period. A cross sectional view of the activated electrode showed finer pulverization of alloy particles than the annealed alloy, and impedance spectroscopy indicated larger surface area of the electrode using the as-cast alloy. Since the as-cast alloy contains inhomogeneities, multi-phase microstructure and stress in the particle, the finer pulverization of alloy particles with hydrogenation are considered to increase surface area in an earlier cycle in the case of the as-cast alloy, which leads larger reaction area and faster activation of the as-cast alloy electrode.

Jan 1, 2002

By G. Gabra, M. Nagamori, J. J. Panneton

"RESUMELa calcination contrôlée de 10 serpentine permet de produire de 10 magnésie active. Le degré de I'activation est mesure par 10 solubilité du magnésium dans les acides faibles tel que I'acide acétique, La serpentine contenue dans les résidus d'amiante du Québec peut donc être activée par calcination. Le teneur en magnésie active des rejets d'amiante calcinés est fonction de divers paramètres: température, temps de calcination, granulométrie, etc. Les rejets d'amiante de différentes provenances démontrent des comportements thermochimiques différents qui sont étudiés dans Ie présent travail au moyen d'ATD, de TG, de la diffraction des rayons X et de la lixivation par l'acide acétique. On constate qu'un maximum d'environ 80% de la magnésie totale peut être activé dans certains rejets d'amiante du Québec et Ie degré d'activation dépend de la provenance.vIntroductionOn sait depuis longtemps que la serpentine, Mg3Si2O5(OH)4, un silicate hydroxylé de magnésium, devient amorphe lorsqu'elle perd de I'eau d'hydratation entre 600 et 700 °C. La serpentine ainsi calcinée est alors dissociée en magnésie et en silice. Cette magnésie, dite active, est soluble dans un acide faible ou même dans les solutions de sels d'ammonium.Plusieurs precédés chimiques ont été proposés afin d'extraire sous forme de composés magnésiens la magnésie de la serpentine. La plupart de ces procédés comportent une activation par calcination de la serpentine préalablement à une Iixiviation par un acide ou par une solution d'un sel d'ammonium.Malgré la contamination par Ie fer et par d'autres éléments, les compositions chimiques des rejets de différentes mines d 'amiante du Québec, présentées au tableau 1, sont très proches de la serpentine typique. Puisque Ie degré d'activation de la magnésie varie grandement d'une serpentine à I'autre lors de la calcination, la première étape de la recherche sur la transformation chimique des rejets d'amiante du Québec se résume à une étude de leurs comportements thermochimiques."

Jan 1, 1982

By J. H. Wernick

IN a study of the rate of decomposition of ½ -in. cubes of limestone, dolomitic limestone, and dolomite in a sweeping nitrogen atmosphere, Joseph, Beatty, and Bitsianesl found that the zone of calcination advanced at substantially a constant rate at a given temperature. The purpose of this paper is to show that their data indicate at least two processes occurring when the above carbonates decompose. It is suggested that there are two processes occurring temperature range and the other the limiting process over another temperature range. The data of Joseph and co-workers have been extended by use of the Arrhenius equation, Eq. 1, a relation beween the velocity constant k of a reaction and the absolute temperature T.

Jan 7, 1954

By Qinbo Cao, Qianshan Peng, Heng Zou, Xingcai Yu

In this work, a new flotation strategy was proposed for the flotation of rutile. In this strategy, rutile was activated by Pb(NO3)2 and then floated with amyl xanthate (AX) as a collector at pH 8. Pb(OH)+ was the dominant lead species in the solution at pH 8 and is believed to be the major species reacting with the rutile surface. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) study revealed that the lead activation products were well distributed on the rutile surface, and AX− could further bind with the Pb atom on the Pb-activated rutile surface. In this regard, the Pb-activated rutile could be floated by AX. Furthermore, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis indicated that Pb(OH)2 was generated on the Pb-activated rutile surface. The electron transfer during the adsorption of the AX− on the Pb-activated rutile surface was also investigated by XPS analysis.

By Qinbo Cao, Qianshan Peng, Heng Zou, Xingcai Yu

In this work, a new flotation strategy was proposed for the flotation of rutile. In this strategy, rutile was activated by Pb(NO3)2 and then floated with amyl xanthate (AX) as a collector at pH 8. Pb(OH)+ was the dominant lead species in the solution at pH 8 and is believed to be the major species reacting with the rutile surface. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) study revealed that the lead activation products were well distributed on the rutile surface, and AX− could further bind with the Pb atom on the Pb-activated rutile surface. In this regard, the Pb-activated rutile could be floated by AX. Furthermore, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis indicated that Pb(OH)2 was generated on the Pb-activated rutile surface. The electron transfer during the adsorption of the AX− on the Pb-activated rutile surface was also investigated by XPS analysis.

By G. Atesok, M. Hancer, M. S. Celik, O. F. Emrullahoglu

Multivalent ions are shown to activate the flotation of colemanite in the presence of sodium dodecylsulfate (NaDDS). Floatation recoveries versus barium ion concentrations exhibit three distinct regions of floatability. Adsorption, zeta potential and solubility mesurements under comparable conditions reveal that Region I is characterized by the uptake of Me2+ ions followed by electrostatic attraction of sulfate ions onto the oppositely charged surface. The improvement observed in flotation recoveries in Regions II and III is ascribed to surface and bulk precipitation of metal dodecyl sulfate onto colemanite, respectively. While the most soluble BaDDS ions yield the highest activation, the least soluble MgDDS achieve the lowest activation. It is postulated that metal ions depending on their solubility products with DDS are capable of activating the boron minerals.

Jan 1, 1993

By Jeffery S. Thompson

In this report, the effect of catalytic amounts of activators on gold dissolution in clear solutions with gold disks and with slur­ries of gold ores is presented. Activators are nitrogen and sulfur aromatic heterocyclic compounds, which catalyze the gold dis­solution reaction in cyanide and other lixiviant solutions. Gold dissolu!ion studies in clear solutions indicate that the catalyst must bmd to the gold surface to catalyze the dissolution reac­tion. A concentration dependence for activation is observed· the optimum catalyst concentration depends on choice of activtor lixiviant concentration, and solution agitation. Nitrogen and sul fur aromatic heterocycles catalyze gold dissolution in slurries of gold ores with cyanide and other lixiviants. The typical proce­dures of agitated leach and rolling bottles were used to evaluate gold leaching rates. Activation has been demonstrated with a variety of ore types.

Jan 1, 1996

By M. Hao, S. Hu, X. Lyu, M. Lian, C. Anning, G. Yao, Z. Wang

The results revealed that the pozzolanic activity of the gold mine tailings and their main mineral phases improved by mechanical activation. Under the same activation conditions, the activated mica powders possessed the highest pozzolanic activity index, followed by the activated feldspar, and the activated quartz exhibited the lowest pozzolanic activity index. The addition of calcium oxide promoted the formation of amorphous C–(A)–S–H gel for all paste samples, and stratlingite and hydrotalcite were observed in calcium oxide activated mica paste. The addition of natural anhydrite promoted the formation of ettringite for the pastes of calcium oxide activated aluminosilicates materials (gold mine tailings, mica, and feldspar). Furthermore, the pozzolanic activity indexes of the mechanically activated gold mine tailings and their main mineral phases were tested to be qualified for use as supplementary cementitious material in cement. This paper provided an innovative approach for recycling gold mine tailings as supplementary cementitious materials in cement, which would be environmentally friendly and cost-effective. Keywords: Mechanical activation, gold mine tailings, supplementary cementitious material, hydration properties, pozzolanic activity

Jan 1, 2020

By Oliver Ralston

DURING experimental study on the separation of a zinc concentrate from the heavy sulfide ores of Jerome, Ariz., a great deal of attention has been given to proper activation of the sphalerite content of the ore. The sphalerite at Jerome contains enough iron to class it as a marmatite, as picked specimens have only about 60 per cent. zinc, whereas pure zinc sulfide contains 67 per cent, zinc. This marmatite in large pieces is black in color, but in dry powdered state is brown. A flotation froth made from it has a silvery black luster in comparison with a brassy luster caused by chalcopyrite which occurs in the same ores. The sample used in most of the experiments described below consisted of about 3000 lb. of diamond-drill core from the zinc-bearing orebodies of the United Verde mine, and had the following analysis: PER CENT. PER CENT. Oz. PER TON Cu 0.695 A1203 0.83 Ag 1.30 Zn 6.17 S...:: 43.35 Au 0.02 Fe 36.23 CaO 0.46 Si02 9.27 Mineralogically, this analysis is calculated to the following, which is in agreement with the microscopic examination: PER CENT. PER CENT. Chalcopyrite 2.0 Schist 3.2 Marmatite 10.32 Quartz 8.2 Pyrite 73.0 Calcite 0.9 All samples were ground in a laboratory ball mill in order to leave about 3 per cent. on a 200-mesh sieve, fine grinding being essential to liberate the minerals in the ore. Most of the Jerome ores are so intimately crystallized that reasonably complete unlocking by grinding does not take place until 800 mesh is approached. Therefore, the 200-mesh grind adopted contains a considerable amount of locked mineral grains, but not so much as. to render impossible the preparation of commercial grades of concentrate:

Jan 1, 1929

By I. Toromanoff, F. Habashi

The transformation of a low-grade titanium slag into synthetic rutile or synthetic anatase can be enhanced by attrition grinding.

Jan 1, 1987

By T. Qiu

"The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the dosage of sodium hypochlorite as activator on the flotations of depressed marmatite and depressed chalcopyrite, with a focus on activation-flotation kinetics. Four flotation kinetic models were applied to test data using 1stOpt statistical analysis software to estimate the relationships between the maximum flotation recovery rates for the depressed marmatite and depressed chalcopyrite, the flotation rate constants and the sodium hypochlorite dosages. Within the range investigated, the highest flotation performances of depressed marmatite and depressed chalcopyrite were obtained at 2.5 mL/L sodium hypochlorite with zinc recovery rate of 93.8 percent and 3 mL/L sodium hypochlorite with copper recovery rate of 94.6 percent, respectively, after four minutes of flotation. A second-order model with rectangular distribution of flotabilities gave the best fit to test data collected at various sodium hypochlorite dosages. For the highest flotation performances of depressed marmatite and depressed chalcopyrite, the respective equations of their flotation models were derived and presented.IntroductionCyanidation tailings are the solid residues generated by gold plants that use cyanide to extract gold (Lv, Ding and Qian, 2015; Zhang, Li and Yu, 2013). Because of increasing demand for gold, the Chinese gold industry has developed rapidly, with production amounting to 451.799 tons in 2014, an increase of 5.5 percent from 2013. Chinese gold production has been the highest in the world for eight consecutive years. As a result, more than 2.45 million tons of cyanidation tailings are estimated to be discharged into tailings ponds every year (Li et al., 2010; Lv, Ding and Qian et al., 2015; Wang et al., 2015; Zhang, Li and Yu, 2013; Zhang, Li and Yu, 2012), and approximately 300 million tons of cyanide tailings are stockpiled in China, with the potential to cause serious environmental pollution as well as death to wildlife (Adams and Lloyd, 2008; Donato et al., 2007; Hewitt, Breuer and Jeffery, 2012; Velasquez-Lopez et al., 2011; Stephen et al., 2009; Zagury, Oudjehani and Deschenes, 2004). Concerns over cyanidation tailings are not exclusively environmental but also economic, as tailings occupy considerable land area, and tailings storage facilities increase the production costs of gold enterprises (Donato et al., 2007). Tailings often contain other valuable metals such as zinc, lead and copper. For example, the cyanidation tailings of Gaoyao Hetai Gold Plant in Guangdong Province contain 2.5 percent copper (Cu), 0.31 percent lead (Pb), 0.23 percent zinc (Zn) and 15.36 percent iron (Fe) (Shi, 2008), and the tailings of Tianshui Gold Plant in Gansu Province contain 1.94 percent Cu, 5.96 percent Pb, 0.27 percent Zn and 24.62 percent Fe. Cyanidation tailings have therefore been increasingly viewed as a secondary resource rather than waste."

Jan 1, 2016

By Alejandro Uribe-Salas, Fabiola Nava-Alonso, Gloria Dávila-Pulido

This paper presents results of an experimental study performed on the role of calcium sulfate present in flotation water on sphalerite flotation in the Pb/Cu circuit (non Cu-activated sphalerite) and in the Zn circuit (Cu-activated sphalerite). In the Pb/Cu circuit calcium ions adsorb on the negatively-charged sphalerite favoring xanthate adsorption and therefore making sphalerite floatable; experimental measurements show sphalerite contact angle increases with calcium concentration while xanthate adsorption onto sphalerite increases with the increase of pH and calcium concentration. Gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) eventually present due to calcium sulfate precipitation is not detrimental to flotation at this stage since it is negatively charged at pH 9 and therefore, does not adhere onto the surface of negatively-charged sphalerite. In the zinc circuit, Cu-activated sphalerite decreases its negative charge (or even becomes positively charged) and develops some hydrophobicity due to the polysulfide produced by Cu-activation. At this stage calcium ions do not interact with the mineral surface and therefore do not favor xanthate adsorption; nevertheless, precipitated gypsum particles do adhere onto the mineral surface, greatly affecting its floatability (e.g., contact angle). Addition of sodium carbonate to dissolve gypsum and to precipitate calcium as calcium carbonate, which disperses in the bulk of the suspension, effectively restores mineral hydrophobicity. SEM observations coupled with EDS analysis clearly illustrate and support the above sequence of events.

Jan 1, 2014

Active geothermal fields show many of the characteristics seen in hydrothermal ore deposits but there are important differences as well. There are, for example, many differences in geology and chemistry between individual geothermal fields, even some nearby, and these include variations in host rock types (volcanic, sedimentary, plutonic and metamorphic), structures controlling fluid flow (normal, lateral, and, rarely, reverse faulting occur) and hydrological setting (valleys to elevated terrain).

Jan 1, 1986

By R A. Lynch

The state-of-the-art in cave seismic monitoring is reviewed, with the latest developments in active seismic monitoring included. Seismic monitoring systems are routinely used by most of the world’s block and panel caving mines to track the cave initiation and progression. The current best practice is to use the cloud of seismic event locations as a proxy for cave growth somewhere below. Problems with event location reliability due to seismic ray bending around the (unknown) cave are side-stepped by using sensors installed above the cave. However, the aseismic gap – the (unknown) distance between actual cave back and seismic event cloud – currently hinders reliable estimation of cave geometry.Velocity inversions using the passive seismic data are inexpensive and should be undertaken more routinely. The straight-ray methods should be used with caution, as the underlying assumptions are invalid in caving environments. The double-difference method is more correct for the caving situation, and there have been some promising results published. Constrained geometric inversions make a lot of sense, but have yet to be demonstrated successfully.Two active seismic source have recently been developed for use in the caving environment: a piezoelectric source for ranges up to a few hundred metres and a pneumatically-powered source for ranges up to a kilometre. These sources produce signals on standard mine seismic sensors that can be used to measure seismic velocity variations down to 0.01 per cent resolution. This allows the cave progression to be monitored by measuring tiny changes to seismic velocities as the rock above the cave is fractured and destressed.CITATION:Lynch, R A, 2016. Active and passive seismic monitoring of cave front evolution, in Proceedings Seventh International Conference and Exhibition on Mass Mining (MassMin 2016), pp 217–224 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2016