Development and evaluation of an early removal process for the beneficiation of arsenic-bearing copper ores.

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dc.contributor.authorBruckard, WJen_AU
dc.contributor.authorDavey, KJen_AU
dc.contributor.authorJorgensen, FRAen_AU
dc.contributor.authorWright, Sen_AU
dc.contributor.authorBrew, DRMen_AU
dc.contributor.authorHague, Nen_AU
dc.contributor.authorVance, ERen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2011-01-14T05:40:49Zen_AU
dc.date.available2011-01-14T05:40:49Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2010-12en_AU
dc.date.statistics2010-12en_AU
dc.description.abstractIn conventional flotation flowsheets for treating copper sulphide ores containing small but significant amounts of arsenic, the arsenic is generally concentrated with the copper in final concentrate. Often, a penalty can be imposed by the smelter processing the concentrate, based on the arsenic content. In some cases the arsenic level is such that the smelter will not treat or accept the concentrate. A new approach to address this issue is reported in this paper, which is becoming more significant as the quality of the copper ore bodies currently being mined diminishes. A new flowsheet, based on the early removal of arsenic at the concentrator, has been developed and tested at bench-scale. The proposed flowsheet comprises three key steps: firstly, separation of arsenic and copper minerals using controlled-potential flotation to produce a low-arsenic high-copper concentrate and a high-arsenic low-copper concentrate. The low-arsenic concentrate can be sold without incurring any penalty for arsenic content. In the second stage, the high-arsenic concentrate is subjected to a low temperature roasting, where the arsenic is selectively fumed off into a low-volume stream product. The calcine from the roaster is high in copper and sulphur and can still be smelted directly. In the final stage of the flowsheet, the arsenic in the fume product is immobilised in a low temperature ceramic such that safe disposal back into the ground is possible. The new early removal flowsheet has been sequentially tested in the laboratory at small scale. The technical and economic merits of the flowsheet compared with that of the conventional copper flotation flowsheet show that there is a net benefit. © 2010, Elsevier Ltd.en_AU
dc.identifier.citationBruckard, W. J., Davey, K. J., Jorgensen, F. R. A., Wright, S., Brew, D. R. M., Hague, N., & Vance, E. R. (2010). Development and evaluation of an early removal process for the beneficiation of arsenic-bearing copper ores. Minerals Engineering, 23(15), 1167-1173. doi:10.1016/j.mineng.2010.03.015en_AU
dc.identifier.govdoc3116en_AU
dc.identifier.issn0892-6875en_AU
dc.identifier.issue15en_AU
dc.identifier.journaltitleMinerals Engineeringen_AU
dc.identifier.pagination1167-1173en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2010.03.015en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttp://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/2920en_AU
dc.identifier.volume23en_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisherElsevieren_AU
dc.subjectFlowsheetsen_AU
dc.subjectCopperen_AU
dc.subjectArsenicen_AU
dc.subjectRoastingen_AU
dc.subjectFlotationen_AU
dc.subjectSmeltersen_AU
dc.titleDevelopment and evaluation of an early removal process for the beneficiation of arsenic-bearing copper ores.en_AU
dc.typeJournal Articleen_AU
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