Beneficiation of pyrite-rich tailings from coal jig processing by aqueous elutriation

Alexandre Hahn Englert Jorge Rubio

SantiagoChile

Porto Alegre Brasil

Laboratrio de Tecnologia Mineral e Ambiental

Federal University at Rio Grande Do Sul

jrubio@ufrgs.br
www.ufrgs.br/ltm

Research lines: Fine mineral processing: High intensity condition, oil extender flotation, CRF, multibubbles flotation

Effluent treatment and water reuse;

removal of ions, oils and colloidal

contaminants

Introduction
Brazilian coal processing
~ 50-60% (ROM) discarded Tailings deposits:

presence of pyrite
(FeS2)

AMD

Beneficiation of tailings: main tasks

Coal

Tailings

Pyrite

Energy Inerts

Construction materials

Raw material for chemical production of: S H2SO4 FeSO4 Fe2(SO4)3

Aims

Beneficiation of a pyrite-rich coal

jigging tailings (50-65%) by aqueous
elutriation (expanded bed)

Obtain a concentrate with high FeS2

grade: >90 %

Strategy: Elutriation
rpyrite >rcoal-Oxi-minerals
Oxi-minerals

coal pyrite concentrate

water

Experimental

Pyrite-rich tailings from a Coal jigging

Comminution + sieving: 100% < 100 mm
Homogenisation/quartering

stage R1 (South Brazil)

Characterisation: Size, S, Ash content

Elutriation

Column I
dint = 2.1 cm l = 28 cm

Isopropyl xanthate 0 or 50
g/ton (pH 9.5)

Superficial velocity: 1.2

3.6 cm/s

Column II
dint = 4.8 cm l = 88 cm [xanthate]: 0 g/ton

Superficial velocity:

1.1 3.8 cm/s

Concentrate (elutriation)

Pulp (pyrite-rich tailings)

Results
Characterisation
Volume undersize (%) 100 80 60 40 20

dm = 31 mm

Ash: 65% Total S: 35-37% (65-68% FeS2)

0 0 1 10 Diameter (mm) 100

60 Total sulphur (%)

55
50 45 40 35 30

0 g/ton 50 g/ton (pH 9.5) Feed sample

1.2

2.4

3.6

Elutriation (superficial) velocity (cm/s)

100 FeS2 grade (%)

0 g/ton 50 g/ton (pH 9.5) Feed sample

90

80

70 1.2 2.4 3.6 Elutriation (superficial) velocity (cm/s)

FeS2 recovery (%)

70 60

0 g/ton
50 g/ton (pH 9.5)

50 40
30 1.2 2.4 3.6 Elutriation (superficial) velocity (cm/s)

Elutriation (Column II)

60 Total mass Recovery (%) 100 FeS2 Grade (%)

50

90

40

80

30 0

70 1 2 3 4 Elutriation (superficial) velocity (cm/s)

FeS2 Recovery (%)

70 60 50 40

30 0 1 2 3 4 Elutriation (superficial) velocity (cm/s)

Pyrite concentrate

Tailings

Conclusions
All the objectives were met:

1. A rich elutriation concentrate (48-52 % Sulphur or

90-98 % pyrite), at 60-65 % recovery and > 3 cm/s of

superficial velocity
2. The concentrate is being used as a raw material for ferric-sulphur bearing salts production (lab/pilot plant)

Future..
The project continues to improve operating
parameters, increasing process kinetics and recovery as follows: 1. Optimizing the xanthate concentration, particles size distribution and pH; 2. Injection of microbubbles and amine process

named floto-elutriation (with applications in mineral

fines treatment too..)

Acknowledgements

To all Institutions supporting research in Brazil

To all Colleagues at LTM (UFRGS)

students, technicians and researchers