Using flotation to separate carbon material from Carlin ore

Kenneth N. Han and Yuhong Chen

The authors investigate the use of
froth flotation to remove carbonaceous
material from Carlin gold ore. They
also study the effect of type and concen-
tration of various oils as flotation col-
lectors and of sodium silicate as the dis-
persion agent on the overall recovery of
carbonaceous material. And they ex-
amine other variables affecting froth
flotation efficiency, including particle
size, pH of the solution and tempera-
ture.
Han and Chen also investigate the
effect of reduction and oxidation of
carbonaceous material on froth tlota-
tion efficiency.
Kenneth N. Han, member SME, is head,
Department of Metallurgical Engineering,
South Dakota School of Mines and Technol-
ogy, 501 E. Joseph St., Rapid City, SD 57701.
Yuhong Chen is with the Pennsylvania State
University, University Park, PA. This article is
excerpted from the authors presentation at
the SME GOLDTech 4 symposium Advarrces
in in Go/d and Si/ver Processing, in Reno, NV,
in September.
This investigation showed that aro-
matic type oil was the most effective
collector. And the authors also found
that oxidized carbonaceous material was
difficult to float unless tbe oxidized
portion was subject to reduction before
flotation.
Froth flotation removed more than
50% of the carbonaceous material. Tbe
effect of pH and temperature during the
rougher flotation state is of little signifi-
cance to the overall recovery of carbo-
naceous material. Since pyrite is re-
sponsibleforthe high chlorine consump-
tion, pyrite removal is important in order
to reduce chlorine consumption.
Results of the study, then, showed:
G It is possible to use froth flotation to
recover carbonaceous material from
Carlin gold ore by froth flotation. The
best results were obtained when Philips
aromatic oil was used as a collector.
G One of the reasons for poor flotation
recovery was due to oxidation of carbo-
naceous material. Therefore, flotation
recovery was improved significantly by
subjecting the oxidized ore to reduction
before flotation. The extent of oxidation
was severe for fine size fractions. Des-
Iiming the -35 pm (-500 mesh) size
fraction before grinding improved flo-
tation recovery.
G Sodium silicate proved to be an
effective dispersing reagent for Carlin
gold ore.
G The size of particles exhibited was a
significant factor in flotation efficiency.
The best recovery was obtained for -75
~m (-200 mesh) size fraction, followed
by 150/75and +150 pm ( 100/200 and
+ 100 mesh), in that order. However,
when the size was too fine, less than 35
~m (500 mesh), flotation results were
poor.
G Regrinding the rough flotation tail-
ing before cleaning flotation is benefi-
cial. An additional 20% and 10% carbo-
naceous material, respectively, from two
ore samples was recovered after re-
grinding.
G The effect of pH on flotation was
insignificant.
G The flotation response at room
temperature was as good as any other
temperature between 15 and60 C (59
and 140 F). +
Treatment of refractory ores: A simplified process
L. Lichty, G. Ramadorai, R. Bhappu
and R. Roman
Treatment of refractory gold ores
containing arsenic has always presented
a major problem in their processing to
recover the contained precious metal
values. Tbe major difficulties are con-
cerned with lower recoveries and pro-
duction of hazardous fumes, effluents
and residues.
Due to these arsenic related prob-
lems, many otherwise economically
attractive precious metal deposits and
dumps all over the world are not ex-
ploited.
In recent years, treatment processes
for refractory gold ores and concen-
trates have been explored. A few com-
mercial operations employing roasting
or pressure leaching have resulted.
L. Lichty, G. Ramadorai, R. Bhappu and R.
Roman, members SME, are metallurgist,
senior project engineer, president and man-
ager, respectively, with Mountain State R&D
International Inc., Box 310, Vail, AZ 85641.
This article is excerpted from the authors
presentation at the SME GOLDTech 4
symposium Advances in Go/darrd Si/ver Proc-
essirrg, in Reno, NV, in September.
Roasting has limitations due to envi-
ronmental constraints related to off
gases. Pressure leaching involving high
temperatures ( 180 to 200 C or 356 to
392 F) and pressures (2.75 MPa or400
psi) is accompanied by high capital and
operating costs.
An alternate route to roasting for treat-
ing pyrite and arsenopyrite ores and
concentrates is the lime-oxygen hy -
dromet process. This is carried out at a
moderate temperature ( 100 C or 212
F) and pressure (689 kPa or 100 psi).
The authors presented a simplified
process for treating such arsenic con-
taining ores and concentrates using low
temperature and pressure oxidation. This
low-cost treatment with compressed air
and lime renders arsenic as an inert
component in the residue, meeting all
the requirements of the EPA toxicity
test. The precious metal values are then
extracted from the autoclave residue
by standard cyanidation.
Results of the authors study make it
evident that the proposed lime-oxygen
process appears to be an attractive alter-
native for treating arsenic-containing
ores, concentrates and arsenic contami-
nated products. The inherent advan-
tages of this process are:
G The process is relatively simple and
uses low temperature (about 100 C or
212 F) and pressures (345 to482kPaor
50 to 70 psig).
G Due to the low pressures involved,
the process can be carried out with
compressed air rather than using an
expensive oxygen plant.
G The reaction is completed in a rela-
tively short period, about 30 minutes to
one hour.
G The arsenic is fixed in an insoluble
complex in the residue. And this residue
meets the EPA toxic test for arsenic.
G Due to the simplicity and effective-
ness of the process, the required capital
and operating costs would be much lower
than for alternative processes, such as
conventional autoclaving and roasting.
G Besides treatment of arsenic-con-
taining ores and concentrates, the proc-
ess is applicable to the treatment of
arsenic contaminated dross, speiss,
smelter acid sludges and industrial waste
products.
It is hoped that this proposed lime-
oxygen process, with its technical and
economic advantages, will provide the
mining industry a simplified process for
treating arsenic containing mineral prod-
ucts and industrial wastes. +