FAULT TREE ANALYSIS OF SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION OF SULPHIDE ORES AND ITS RISK ASSESSMENT

A logic fault tree of mine spontaneous combustion of sulphide ores was built by the fault tree analysis (FTA) based on a lot of mechanism investigation of sulphide ore spontaneous combustion in more than ten mines and review of a great amount of relevant

Interaction effects of flotation reagents for SAG mill reject of copper sulphide ore using response surface methodology

Flotation reagents have a complex behaviour in the beneficiation of base minerals in clayey ores.Interaction effects of reagents on the efficiency of copper flotation for a highly clayey low-grade sulphide ore were investigated using a central composite design.Preliminary results showed that sodium-isopropyl-xanthate(SIPX)and O-isopropyl-N-ethyl-thionocarbamate(IPETC)were found to be the most efficient collectors in the presence of lime as the pH regulator.The effects of dosage of collectors(SIPX and IPETC)and the dosage of methyl-isobutyl-carbonyl(MIBC)as frother on the separation efficiency were evaluated at different pH levels.Based on the analysis of variance(ANOVA),the interaction effects of the collector−pH and collector−frother were significant for the separation efficiency.At the low level of collector dosage,increasing pH from 9 to 11 enhanced copper separation efficiency from 81%to 86%for IPETC and from 77%to 86%for SIPX.Results of ANOVA showed that the maximum copper separation efficiency(88.7%)was obtained at the dosages of 8.6 g/t SIPX,7 g/t IPETC and 20 g/t MIBC at pH 11.Finally,it was concluded that a mixture of SIPX and IPETC collectors was more suitable to treat highly clayey sulphide ores.

Mechanochemical sulfidization of a mixed oxide-sulphide copper ore by co-grinding with sulfur and its effect on the flotation efficiency

Mechanochemical sulfidization of a mixed sulfide/oxide copper ore by co-grinding with sulfur and additives including Mg(NO3)2 and Fe(NO3)3 salts and iron,aluminum and magnesium powders was investigated for the first time.Also,the influence of sulfidization during the wet-milling process was examined on the separation efficiency and recovery of copper in detail.The results demonstrated that co-grinding with sulfur solely had the best flotation performance at the value of 0.5 wt.%and it was attributed to the possible existence of S\\O bonding on copper oxides surfaces.In addition,adding magnesium nitrate salt,magnesium powder,iron nitrate salt and aluminum powder as additive associated with 0.5 wt%sulfur into ball milling caused the flotation improvement at the amounts of 0.2 wt%,0.2 wt%,0.5 wt%and 0.5 wt%,respectively.Also,the effect of grinding time and sulfidization pH with 0.5 wt%sulfur solely was determined and pH s of 7.5 to 8.5 gave the best results.The highest recovery(75.76%)and separation efficiency(63.44%)were achieved at pH of 7.5 and 8.5,respectively.

IN SITU MEASUREMENT OF BREEDING-FIRE OF SULPHIDE ORE DUMPS

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Effects of forced aeration on community dynamics of free and attached bacteria in copper sulphide ore bioleaching

Bacterial community dynamics and copper leaching with applied forced aeration were investigated during low-grade copper sulphide bioleaching to obtain better bioleaching efficiency.Results illustrated that appropriate aeration improved bacterial concentrations and leaching efficiencies.The highest bacterial concentration and Cu^(2+)concentration after 14-d leaching were 7.61×10^(7) cells·mL^(−1) and 704.9 mg·L^(−1),respectively,at aeration duration of 4 h·d^(−1).The attached bacteria played a significant role during bioleaching from 1 to 7 d.However,free bacteria dominated the bioleaching processes from 8 to 14 d.This phenomenon was mainly caused by the formation of passivation layer through Fe3+hydrolysis along with bioleaching,which inhibited the contact between the attached bacteria and ore.Meanwhile,16S rDNA analysis verified the effect of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans on the bioleaching process.The results demonstrate the importance of free and attached bacteria in bioleaching.

EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON CHEMICAL THERMODYNAMIC BEHAVIOUR OF SULPHIDE ORES DURING SPONTANEOUS COMBUST

ＥＸＰＥＲＩＭＥＮＴＡＬＩＮＶＥＳＴＩＧＡＴＩＯＮＯＮＣＨＥＭＩＣＡＬＴＨＥＲＭＯＤＹＮＡＭＩＣＢＥＨＡＶＩＯＵＲＯＦＳＵＬＰＨＩＤＥＯＲＥＳＤＵＲＩＮＧＳＰＯＮＴＡＮＥＯＵＳＣＯＭＢＵＳＴＩＯＮＷｕＣｈａｏ，ＭｅｎｇＴｉｎｇｒａｎｇＤｅｐａｒｔｍｅ...

A study of self-heating characteristics of a pyrrhotite-rich sulphide ore stockpile

Original surface chemistry of sulphidesis altered upon contact with air, leading to ''oxidation'', which is accompanied by evolution of heat. The current study reports results of an investigation on extent of exothermicity of an experimental nickel-copper sulphide stockpile that was formed at a mining site in Sudbury, Canada. The ore contained pentlandite and chalcopyrite that are accompanied by a large quantity of pyrrhotite. The self-heating characteristics were recorded by temperature sensors placed inside the stockpile. Ambient conditions such as temperature, humidity, and wind velocity were simultaneously recorded. The inner temperature of the stockpile indicated significant fluctuations due to rapid changes, particularly in the outside temperature. The minimum and maximum temperatures recorded in the outside and inside were 5 and 10.5, 44.3 and 32 ℃, respectively. The self-heating capacity of the sulphide ore stockpile observed represents a mild case compared to that experienced by coals. Possible reasons are discussed.

Organic Composition of Sulphide Ores in the Okinawa Trough and Its Implications

A preliminary organic geochemical study shows that the sulphide ores from the hydrothermal deposit of the Okinawa Trough are generally low in the total organic carbon and extremely low in the soluble organic matter. In the aliphatic hydrocarbon fraction, the n-alkanes range from C15 to C35, with usual maxima in the middle n-C20 region and strong odd-carbon number predominance when n > C25 (CPI = 1.2). The dominant analog in the aromatic fraction is phenanthrene, a polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon, which provides evidence for hydrothermal activity. The organic matter derived mainly from marine planktonic and terrigenous vascular plants is entrapped in a high-temperature regime such as an active chimney and cooled quickly in the sulphide ores on the seafloor. Organic matter and sulphides are definitely products of a high-temperature alteration. The biomarker compounds indicate that the ores are formed under low Eh and pH conditions—a reducing to anoxic environment, which is favourable for sulphates to be reduced into sulphides by biogenic (bacterial) or abiogenic activity.

One Step Bioleaching of Sulphide Ore with Low Concentration of Arsenic by Aspergillus niger and Taguchi Orthogonal Array Optimization

A study was carried out to examine the possibility for Aspergillus niger strain KBS4 to bioleach metals from sulphide ore with low concentration of arsenic and to optimize the parameters that affect this process by orthogonal array optimization. Fungal sample was collected, purified and sequenced. The bioleaching process was optimized with L25 Taguchi orthogonal experimental array design. Five factors were investigated and 25 batch bioleaching tests were run at five levels for each factor. The parameters were initial pH, particle size, pulp density, initial inoculums and residence time for bioleaching. The experimental results showed that under optimized leaching conditions: pH 5.5, particle size 180 μm, initial inoculums size 3×10 7 spores per ml, pulp density 15% and residence time of 20 days, the bioleach ability of metals were 63% Fe, 68% Zn, 60% As, 79% Cu and 54% Al. The biosorption of metal ions by fungal biomass might occur during the bioleaching process but it did not hinder the removal of metal ions by bioleaching.

THERMODYNAMIC AND STRUCTURAL CHEMISTRY DISCUSSIONS FOR OXIDATIVE LEACHING OF Cu－Ni SULPHIDE ORE UNDER ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE

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Comparative study on the passivation layers of copper sulphide minerals during bioleaching

The bioleaching of copper sulphide minerals was investigated by using A. ferrooxidans ATF6. The result shows the preferential order of the minerals bioleaching as djurleite〉bomite〉pyritic chalcopyrite〉covellite〉porphyry chalcopyfite. The residues were characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. It is indicated that jarosite may not be responsible for hindered disso- lution. The elemental sulfur layer on the surface of pyritic chalcopyrite residues is cracked. The compact surface layer of porphyry chalcopy- rite may strongly hinder copper extraction. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS） further confirms that the passivation layers of covellite, pyritic chalcopyrite, and porphyry chalcopyrite are copper-depleted sulphide Cu4S11, S8, and copper-rich iron-deficient polysulphide CtuFe2S9, resoectivelv. The ability of these oassivation layers was found as Cu4Fe2S9〉Cu4S11〉S8〉iarosite.

Ultrafine milling for the processing of gold-bearing sulphides

Ultrafine Milling technology is used to treat gold-bearingsulphides and to investigate the effects of minerals size, millingtime, liquid/solid ratio, NaCN consumption and leaching aid onleaching rate of gold. The results indicate that shorter treatingtime, decrease of NaCN consumption of 60/100 and increase of goldleaching rate of 15/100 can be ob- tained by the ultrafine millingtechnology compared with traditional cyanide leaching. Potentialexists for the new pro- cess to form the basis for an economicallyprocess for treatment of gold-bearing sulphides.

Study on experiment and mechanism of thermal dissolved sulfuration of low grade lead-zinc oxide ore in lanpin

The thermal dissolved sulfuration technology is brought forward and performed based on the characteristic of low grade lead-zinc oxide ore in lanpin. Using sulfur as the sulphidizing agent in the experiment, the oxides in the sandstone and ignimbrite are changed into sulfides. The disproportionation reaction of sulfur in a solution is confirmed as 4S＋3H2O=2S^2-＋S2O3^2--＋6H^＋. The dynamics process is studied and the first-order reaction rate equation -1n（1-a）=ktt is obtained. The effects of the reactive products, stirring speed, dosage of sulfuration agent, value of pH and sulphidizing temperature on the sulfuration of oxide ore are investigated. The results indicate that the reactive apparent activation energy is 100.8 kJ/mol and the sulfuration ratio of lead-zinc oxide ore reaches 60% under the conditions of pH 5.9-7.5, the sulfuration temperature of 130 ℃, sulfuration time of 180 min and the stirring speed of 800 r/min.

Recycle of Wastewater from Lead-Zinc Sulfide Ore Flo-tation Process by Ozone/BAC Technology

Lead-zinc sulphide ore contains lead sulphide (galena), and zinc sulphide (sphalerite). In the first flotation stage, galena is rendered hydrophobic with an organic collector such as xanthate, while sphalerite is kept from floating by depressants, and in the second flotation stage, activator was used to activated zinc flotation. Since the organic regent used are different in the two flotation stage, wastewater from the second zinc flotation stage can’t be directly recycled to the first lead flotation stage. Wastewater from flotation process for concentrating lead-zinc sulphide ore often containing organic compounds such as diethyldithiocarbamate(DDTC), xanthate, terpenic oil(2# oil) and thionocarbamate esters (Z-200), are environmentally hazardous. Their removal from contaminated water and the reuse of the water is one of the main challenges facing lead-zinc sulphide ore processing plants. In this study, synthetic wastewater containing DDTC, xanthate, 2# oil and Z-200 at concentrations ranging from 21 to 42 mg/L was fed into an Ozone/Biological activated carbon (BAC) reactor. Analyses of the effluent indicated a chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal over 86.21% and Total organic carbon (TOC) removal over 90.00% were achieved under Hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 4h and O3 feeding concentration of 33.3mg/L. The effluent was further recycled to the lab scale lead concentrating process and no significant difference was found in compare with fresh water. Furthermore, lead-zinc sulphide mineral concentrating process was carried out at lab scale. The produced wastewater was treated by Ozone/BAC reactor at O3 feeding concentration of 16.7mg/L and HRT of 4h. The effluent analysis showed that TOC removal was 74.58%. This effluent was recycled to the lab scale lead-zinc sulphide mineral concentrating process and the recovery of lead was not affected. The results showed that by using Ozone/BAC technology, the lead-zinc sulphide mineral processing wastewater could be recycled.

Silver-catalyzed bioleaching for raw low-grade copper sulphide ores

This research was conducted to investigate the biooxidation and copper dissolution from raw low-grade refractory copper sulphide ores located in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China using adapted Thiobacillus ferrooxidans bacteria.In order to accelerate the bioleach-ing rate,the adapted mixed bacteria and silver ion catalyst were tested in the leach columns at laboratory scale.The overall acid consumption was 4.3kg sulphuric acid per kg of dissolved copper and was linearly related to the percent copper dissolution.The calculated copper dissolution rates obey the Shrinking Core Model.The relative activation energy of the whole biooxidative leaching stages was calculated to be 48.58kJ/mol.

Optimization of reagent dosages for copper flotation using statistical technique

The effects of Z11 and AP407 collectors as well as AF65 and AF70 frothers were evaluated in the rougher flotation circuit of the Sungun copper concentrator plant using 2 4 full factorial design.Response functions were produced for both Cu grade and recovery and optimized within the experimental range.The optimum reagent dosages were found to be 12.01 g/t Z11,11 g/t AP407,3 g/t AF65 and 5 g/t AF70 to attain the maximum Cu grade(8.17%).The reagent dosages of 12 g/t Z11,11 g/t AP407,3 g/t AF65 and 15 g/t AF70 produced the maximum Cu recovery(86.44%).The collector distribution demonstrated that the distribution pattern of(32%,32%,20%,16%)can produce the best recovery(87.75%)in comparison to other examined distribution patterns.

Sulphatizing roasting of Cu-Zn and multimetal complx slphides

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Geospatial Mapping of Singhbhum Shear Zone (SSZ) with Respect to Mineral Prospecting

Singhbhum Shear Zone is a highly mineralized zone having variety of minerals, predominantly those of uranium, copper and some sulphide minerals. From Remote Sensing data it is possible to decipher the regional lithology, tectonic fabric and also the geomorphic details of a terrain which aid precisely in targeting of metals and minerals. Mapping of mineralized zones can be done using Geospatial Technology in a GIS platform. The present study includes creation of various maps like lithological map, geomorphological map, contours and slope map using satellite data like IRS LISSIV and ASTER DEM which can be used to interprete and correlate the various mineral prospective zones in the study area. Even the alterations of the prevalent mineral zones can be mapped for further utilization strategies. The present work is based on the investigations being carried under ISROSAC Respond Project (Dept. of Space, Govt. of India SAC Code: OGP62, ISRO Code: 10/4/556).

Central composite design for optimization and formulation of desulphurization of iron ore concentrate using atmospheric leaching process

Owing to the negative effects of sulphur in iron ore on steelmaking process and environment, a tank leaching process was performed in atmospheric conditions to remove the sulphur from the iron ore concentrate and simultaneously to transform sulphide minerals into useful by-products. To achieve desirable sulphur removal rate and efficiency, central composite design was adopted as a response surface methodology for the optimization and evaluation of the process. A full-quadratic polynomial equation between the sulphur removal and the studied parameters was established to assess the behaviour of sulphur removal as a function of the factors and to predict the results in various conditions. The optimum conditions were obtained based on the variance tests and response surface plots, from which the optimized ranges for each factor resulting in the best response （corresponding to the highest percentage of desulphurization） could be then achieved. The results show that most desirable conditions are atmospheric leaching in 1.39 mol/dm3 nitric acid and 0.88 mol/dm3 sulphuric acid for 47 h. The designed process under the optimized desulphurization conditions was applied to a real iron ore concentrate. More than 75% of the total sulphur was removed via the leaching process. In addition to the desulphurization, the conversion of sulphide-bearing minerals into useful by-products, extraction of valuable metals, and executing the process under atmospheric conditions are the other advantages of the proposed method.