Modeling of an Automatic Optimization System of Cyanide Concentration in Carbon in Leach for Optimal Ore Processing in a Mining Company

The optimization system, which was the subject of our study, is an autonomous chain for the automatic management of cyanide consumption. It is in the phase of industrial automation which made it possible to use the machines in order to reduce the workload of the worker while keeping a high productivity and a quality in great demand. Furthermore, the use of cyanide in leaching tanks is a necessity in the gold recovery process. This consumption of cyanide must be optimal in these tanks in order to have a good recovery while controlling the concentration of cyanide. Cyanide is one of the most expensive products for mining companies. On a completely different note, we see huge variations during the addition of cyanide. Following a recommendation from the metallurgical and operations teams, the control team carried out an analysis of the problem while proposing a solution to reduce the variability around plus or minus 10% of the addition setpoint through automation. It should be noted that this automatic optimization by monitoring the concentration of cyanide, made use of industrial automation which is a technique which ensures the operation of the ore processing chain without human intervention. In other words, it made it possible to substitute a machine for man. So, this leads us to conduct a study on concentration levels in the real world. The results show that the analysis of the modeling of the cyanide consumption optimization system is an appropriate solution to eradicate failures in the mineral processing chain. The trend curves demonstrate this resolution perfectly.

Wetting front migration model of ion-adsorption rare earth during the multi-hole unsaturated liquid injection

In the process of ion-adsorption rare earth ore leaching,the migration characteristics of the wetting front in multi-hole injection holes and the influence of wetting front intersection effect on the migration distance of wetting fronts are still unclear.Besides,wetting front migration distance and leaching time are usually required to optimize the leaching process.In this study,wetting front migration tests of ionadsorption rare earth ores during the multi-hole fluid injection(the spacing between injection holes was 10 cm,12 cm and 14 cm)and single-hole fluid injection were completed under the constant water head height.At the pre-intersection stage,the wetting front migration laws of ion-adsorption rare earth ores during the multi-hole fluid injection and single-hole fluid injection were identical.At the postintersection stage,the intersection accelerated the wetting front migration.By using the Darcy’s law,the intersection effect of wetting fronts during the multi-hole liquid injection was transformed into the water head height directly above the intersection.Finally,based on the Green-Ampt model,a wetting front migration model of ion-adsorption rare earth ores during the multi-hole unsaturated liquid injection was established.Error analysis results showed that the proposed model can accurately simulate the infiltration process under experimental conditions.The research results enrich the infiltration law and theory of ion-adsorption rare earth ores during the multi-hole liquid injection,and this study provides a scientific basis for optimizing the liquid injection well pattern parameters of ion-adsorption rare earth in situ leaching in the future.

Onset and Stability of Thermally-Driven Fluid Convection in a Vertical Rock Crack and Their Implication for Hydrothermal Ore-Forming Processes

Dynamic equations controlling the thermally-driven fluid convection in a single rock crack are established in the paper . The critical criteria for the onset of convection in such a configuration are found by linear dynamic analysis of the equations and the stability of the convection discussed by nonlinear analysis method . The research demonstrates that the critical Rayleigh number has a magnitude 103. While the Rayleigh number R of real ore-forming fluids exceeds this value , the convection happens , and as R becomes larger , the fluid convection pattern develops from nonequilibrium steady states to double-periodically produced limit cycles and eventually to chaos (turbulences ).The implication of these dynamic analyses for the ore-forming processes of late-magma tic hydrothermal deposits is also discussed in the paper .

The Evolutionary History of Ore-forming Processes of Metallic Ore Deposits in Northern Guangxi

The northern Guangxi region is an important rare metal, rare earth metal and polymetallic metallogenic province. In the region there exist five metallogenic series and two metallogenic subseries, whose metallogenesis shows features of polycyclic spiral evolution throughout the geological history. As far as various cycles are concerned, mantle-derived ore substances were reduced while crust-derived ore substances increased from early to late timesfin the whole geological evolutionary history, mantle-derived substances decreased gradually while crust-derived ones increased. Meanwhile ore element associations became more and more varied. In terms of space, mineralization migrated from the old basement outwards, i.e. from west to east during the Precambrian, and from north to south during the Phanerozoic, and again from east to west during the Yanshanian.

Ore-blending optimization model for sintering process based on characteristics of iron ores

An ore-blending optimization model for the sintering process is an intelligent system that includes iron ore characteristics, expert knowledge and material balance. In the present work, 14 indices are proposed to represent chemical composition, granulating properties and high temperature properties of iron ores. After the relationships between iron ore characteristics and sintering performance are established, the ＂two-step＂ method and the simplex method are introduced to build the model by distinguishing the calculation of optimized blending proportion of iron ores from that of other sintering materials in order to improve calculation efficiency. The ore-blending optimization model, programmed by Access and Visual Basic, is applied to practical production in steel mills and the results prove that the present model can take advantage of the available iron ore resource with stable sinter yield and quality performance but at a lower cost.

Finite element modeling of pore-fluid flow in the Dachang ore district,Guangxi,China:Implications for hydrothermal mineralization

Convective heat transfer associated with the circulation of porefluid in porous rocks and fractures within the upper crust of the Earth is substantial when the temperature gradient is sufficiently high. In order to understand the process of Snpolymetallic mineralization in the Dachang ore district of Guangxi, a finite element method has been used in this study to simulate both pore-fluid flow and heat transfer in this district. On the basis of related geological, tectonic and geophysical constraints, a computational model was established. It enables a computational simulation and sensitivity analysis to be carried out for investigating ore-forming pore-fluid flow and other key factors that may affect hydrothermal ore genesis in the district. The related simulation results have indicated that： （1） permeable fault zones in the Dacbang ore district can serve as preferential pathways for pore-fluid flow on a regional-scale; and （2） the pore-fluid flow can affect the salinity distribution. This latter factor is part of the reason why Sn-polymetallic mineralization has taken place in this district.

Modeling the effects of ore properties on water recovery in the thickening process

A better understanding of solid-liquid separation would assist in improving the thickening performance and perhaps water recovery as well. The present work aimed to develop an empirical model to study the effects of ore properties on the thickening process based on pilot tests using a column. A hydro-cyclone was used to prepare the required samples for the experiments. The model significantly predicted the experimental underflow solid content using a regression equation at a given solid flux and bed level for different samples, indicating that ore properties are the effective parameters in the thickening process. This work confirned that the water recovery would be increased about 5% by separating the feed into two parts, overflow and underflow, and introducing two different thickeners into them separately. This is duo to the fact that thickeners are limited by permeability and compressibility in operating conditions.

Genetic Types and Metallogenic Model for the Polymetallic Copper–Gold Deposits in the Tongling Ore District, Anhui Province, Eastern China

The Tongling ore district is one of the most economically important ore areas in the Middle–Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt, eastern China. It contains hundreds of polymetallic copper–gold deposits and occurrences. Those deposits are mainly clustered(from west to east) within the Tongguanshan, Shizishan, Xinqiao, Fenghuangshan, and Shatanjiao orefields. Until recently, the majority of these deposits were thought to be skarn-or porphyry–skarn-type deposits; however there have been recent discoveries of numerous vein-type Au, Ag, and Pb-Zn deposits that do not fall into either of these categories. This indicates that there is some uncertainty over this classification. Here, we present the results of several systematic geological studies of representative deposits in the Tongling ore district. From investigation of the ore-controlling structures, lithology of the host rock, mineral assemblages, and the characteristics of the mineralization and alteration within these deposits, three genetic types of deposits(skarn-, porphyry-, and vein-type deposits) have been identified. The spatial and temporal relationships between the orebodies and Yanshanian intrusions combined with the sources of the ore-forming fluids and metals, as well as the geodynamic setting of this ore district, indicate that all three deposit types are genetically related each other and constitute a magmatic–hydrothermal system. This study outlines a model that relates the polymetallic copper–gold porphyry-, skarn-, and vein-type deposits within the Tongling ore district. This model provides a theoretical basis to guide exploration for deep-seated and concealed porphyry-type Cu(–Mo, –Au) deposits as well as shallow vein-type Au, Ag, and Pb–Zn deposits in this area and elsewhere.

Geostatistics Studies and Geochemical Modeling Based on Core Data,Sheytoor Iron Deposit,Iran

In general,the purpose of the mineralization modeling is the advancement of a mineral exploration project and ultimately,the extractive design of a deposit,which is one of the most important stages in mining engineering.Mineralization modeling is divided into two general categories,superficial and deep modeling.In surface modeling,the aim is finding abnormal locations in terms of mineralization at the study area,which is commonly used in the early stages of exploration as one of the means for locating exploratory boreholes.After drilling in the study area with the aim of identifying mineralization and reserve estimation it is necessary to obtain deep mineralization position and its geometric features,using statistical and modeling methods.Using mathematical,statistical and modeling methods,we can predict the position of iron mineralization in places where drilling is not done and eventually reach a three-dimensional model of the mineral materials underground.As a case study,the deep information about the boreholes of the sheytoor mining area in Yazd province of Iran was investigated.Iron mineralization was modeled as 2D cumulative model and 3D block model,and the results were presented.Finally the geochemical threshold and the anomalous limit of iron element are calculated by concentration-volume(C-V)fractal method in this deposit.Geochemical threshold and the anomalous limit for Fe in this deposit are 24.7%and 34.3%respectively.

STUDY ON GREY FORECASTING MODEL OF COPPER EXTRACTION RATE WITH BIOLEACHING OF PRIMARY SULFIDE ORE

A model GM （grey model） （1,1） for forecasting the rate of copper extraction during the bioleaching of primary sulphide ore was established on the basis of the mathematical theory and the modeling process of grey system theory. It was used for forecasting the rate of copper extraction from the primary sulfide ore during a laboratory microbial column leaching experiment. The precision of the forecasted results were examined and modified via ＂posterior variance examination＂. The results show that the forecasted values coincide with the experimental values. GM （1,1） model has high forecast accuracy; and it is suitable for simulation control and prediction analysis of the original data series of the processes that have grey characteristics, such as mining, metallurgical and mineral processing, etc. The leaching rate of such copper sulphide ore is low. The grey forecasting result indicates that the rate of copper extraction is approximately 20% even after leaching for six months.

Application of Different Models for the Prediction of the Kinetics of Direct Reduction of Natural Iron Ores

Simulation of the direct reduction conditions was performed in a laboratory furnace. Lump samples from natural hematite iron ore were reduced by a gas mixture of H2 and CO (H2/CO =1.5) at temperatures of 700°C, 800°C and 900°C. The effect of reduction temperature on the reduction degree, reduction rate of samples and carbon deposition were investigated and discussed in this study. The thermo-gravimetric data obtained from the reduction experiments was run in a programme that calculates the solid conversion rate. Also, three models: 1) Grain Model (GM), 2) Volumetric Model (VM), and 3) the Random Pore Model (RPM), were used to estimate the reduction kinetics of natural iron ores. It was found that the RPM model result agreed best with the obtained experimental results. Furthermore, it gave better predictions of the natural iron oxide conversion and thereby the reduction kinetics.

Geochemical and Behavioral Modeling of Phosphorus and Sulfur as Deleterious Elements of Iron Ore to Be Used in Geometallurgical Studies, Sheytoor Iron Ore, Iran

Sheytoor Iron Ore deposit is located in Yazd province of Iran (Bafq). The most abundant ore is magnetite, which can be seen in the form of mass and granular tissue in various forms of self-shaped, semi-self-shaped and amorphous. The main purpose of this study is to identify the geochemical relationship of phosphorus and sulfur elements and also three-dimensional modeling of mineralization of these elements in iron ore. In order to achieve the research goal, methods such as k-mean clustering technique, concentration-volume fractal as well as block modeling with kriging estimator and Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolator were used. The model of geochemical behavior of phosphorus and sulfur elements compared to iron is of great importance because these two elements are known as deleterious elements in mineral processing and steelmaking processes, which are the post-mining stages. Existence of geochemical model and identification of elements’ behavior towards each other play a key role in optimizing mining operations in order to achieve geometallurgical goals. The results of this study are the three-dimensional model of mineralization of iron, phosphorus and sulfur elements, separation of phosphorus and sulfur mineralization communities and also presenting the model of enrichment community of these two elements. All the results are in line with geometallurgical studies and can optimize the next steps by optimizing the mining process.

PRACTICAL AND PREDICTIVE MODELLING OF ORE DEPOSITS IN HYDROTHERMAL SYSTEMS

Over the pastfive years,we have been making efforts to develop a practical and predic- tive tool to exploreforgiantore deposits in hydrothermal systems. Towards this goal,a sig- nificant progress has been made towards a better understanding of the basic physical and chemical processes behind ore body formation and mineralization in hydrothermal systems. On the scientific developmentside,we have developed analytical solutions to answerthe fol- lowing scientific questions:(1) Can thepore- fluid pressure gradientbemaintained atthe val- ue of the lithostaticpressure gradientin the uppercrustof the Earth?and(2 ) Can convective pore- fluid flow take place in the uppercrustof the Earth ifthere is a fluid/mass leakage from the mantle to the upper crustof the Earth?On the modelling developmentside,we have developed numerical methods to model the following problems:(1) convective pore- fluid flow in two- dimensional hydrothermal systems;(2 ) coupled reactive pore- fluid flow and multiple species transport in porous media;(3) precipitation and dissolution of minerals and rock al- teration in the upper crust of the Earth;(4 ) double diffusion driven reactive flow transport in deformable fluid- saturated porous media with particular consideration of temperature- de- pendentchemical reaction rates;(5 ) pore- fluid flow patterns neargeological lenses in hydro- dynamic and hydrothermal systems;(6 ) dissipative structures for nonequilibrium chemical reactions in fluid- saturated porousmedia;(7) convectivepore- fluid flow and the related min- eralization in three- dimensional hydrothermal systems;(8) fluid- rock interaction problems associated with the rock alteration and metamorphic process in fluid- saturated hydrothermal/ sedimentary basins;and (9) various aspects of the fully coupled problem involving material deformation,pore- fluid flow,heattransferand species transport/ chemical reactionsin pore- fluid saturated porous rock masses. The above- mentioned work has significantly enriched our knowledge about the physical and chemical processes related to ore body formation and mineralization in the upper crustof the

A Genetic Model for Ore Magma of the Chibaisong Copper-Nickel Sulphide Deposit, Jilin

In the early 1980's, the author proposed his view that copper-nickel sulphide deposts are of ore magma origin. For more than ten years, this view has aroused attention of his colleagues at home and abroad. In this paper an attempt is made to deal with the genetic model for ore magma of copper-nickel sulphide deposits in more details on the basis of geological, geochemical, petrophysico - chemical and thermodynamic studies of the Chibaisong copper-nickel sulphide deposit in the Changbai Mountains, Jilin province.

Grade-Tonnage, Ore Value-Tonnage, andEnrichment Ratio-Tonnage Models forResource Assessment

According to grade-tonnage diagrams of nickel and zinc deposits, their critical grades are 0.4 % and 3. 4 %, respectively, and hence the former resources can be considered optimistic and the latter pessimistic. The grade-tonnage diagram of gold deposits is convex downwards suggesting that the critical grade is 1 X 10-6 in the low-grade part. The ore value (OV)-tonnage diagram of all deposits In the world consists of three parts: high, middle and low vain f classes. The enrichment ratio (ER)-tonnage diagram of all deposits in the world ho consists of three parts: high, middle and low ratio classes.Nine quality categories defined by ER and OV are characterized by some keywords indicating deposit types as follows: category RH (high ER-high OV: 0. 7 %) by 'unconformity' and 'Mississippi Val-ley', category HM (high ER-middle: OV: 0.7 %) by 'vein', category ML (middle ER-low OV: 0 %) by 'sandstone', 'stockwork' and' dissemination', category LM by 'orthomagmatic',' laterite',komatiite and ' chemical', and category LL by 'porphyry', 'dissemination' and 'placer'. Category MM is not characterized by any keyword. If the commodities of a deposit are defined by both the enrichment ratio and the ore value, the defined commodities are relatively coincident for gold and nickel,but different for copper, silver and zinc, and greatly different for molybdenum and lead. Deposits containing lead and/or zinc are complimentary. If the commodity Ph+Zn is applied, most lead or zinc deposits are classified as Ph+Zu by both definitions. Accessory metals are commonly expected for deposits of kuroko-type zinc, epithermal silver, massive sulfide-type zinc and volcanogenic zinc, but uncommon for deposits of orthomagmatic chromium, chemically precipitated copper and sandstone-type uranium.

Geological Characteristics and Regional Prospecting Model of Wulanchongji Gold Orebody, Alxa Youqi, Inner Mongolia, China

Five gold deposits (mineralization) were found in the study area by means of geological mapping, soil geochemical survey and trough exploration engineering. The ore-bearing lithology is mainly metamorphic feldspar sandstone of the Upper Carboniferous Benbatu Formation, and the gold (mineralization) body is controlled by both structural factors and stratigraphic factors of the Upper Carboniferous Benbatu Formation. The genetic type is preliminary concluded to be volcanic hydrothermal type, and the metallogenic age is late Variscan. In this paper, by studying the geological characteristics and metallogenic geological conditions of the gold orebody in the area, a regional prospecting model has been established, which is of great significance to better guide the prospecting work of similar gold deposits in the area and the region.

GEOLOGICAL FEATURES AND ORE- FORMING MODEL OF THE SHIZHUYUAN W-SN-MO-BI ORE DEPOSIT,HUNAN PROVINCE,CHINA

The Shizhuyuan W,Sn,Mo and Bi polymetallic ore deposit is one of the world famous superlarge ore deposits.The paper briefly introduced the geological setting and features of the ore deposit.Further,an ore－ forming model was put forward at the end of the paper.