[Year]

UNIVERSITY OF MINES AND TECHNOLOGY

MINERALS DEPARTMENT

LABORATORY WORK ON

BOTTLE ROLL TEST

(GROUP ONE)

ASSAYING MR-280
2018

COURSE LECTURER: Assoc. Pro. Grace Ofori- Sarpong

TEACHING ASSISTANT/ SUPERVISOR: Bonito
 ABSTRACT
The laboratory work is designed to expose students to the practical aspect of the
course under study, this help students to appreciate their course and to observe the
application of the theory we have learnt in the class room. It is for this reason the
second year minerals engineering students went to the laboratory to asquint ourselves
with the general procedure in the Bottle Roll Test and observation made on gold
percentage recovery.
This report seeks to expose what we learnt at the laboratory and the research we have
done to understand the leaching process.
We summed up the conclusion with observations made at the laboratory, conclusion
drawn and recommendations meant for further improvement.

i
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We are very much grateful to God Almighty for the gift of life and knowledge. Our
sincere acknowledgement goes to our course lecturer Associate Professor Grace Ofori-
Sarpong for her immense contribution to our development and allowing us to have a
more practical feel of the course. Our special appreciation goes to his abled teaching
assistants at the Minerals Engineering Laboratory for their contributions to this project.

ii
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents Page
ABSTRACT....................................................................................................................................................... i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ................................................................................................................................... ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS.................................................................................................................................... iii
CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................................................... 1
BOTTLE ROLL TEST: GRINDABILITY TEST ....................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 1
1.2 Purpose/ Aim ...................................................................................................................................... 1
1.3 Materials/ Equipment ......................................................................................................................... 2
1.4 Procedures .......................................................................................................................................... 2
1.5 Data and Results ................................................................................................................................. 3
1.5.1 Data obtained after screening with 125µm ................................................................................. 3
1.5.2 Graph of Percentage Passing 125µm against time ...................................................................... 3
1.5.3 Data obtained after screening with 106µm ................................................................................. 4
1.5.4 Graph of Percentage Passing 106µm ........................................................................................... 4
1.5.5 Data obtained after screening with 75µm ................................................................................... 5
1.5.6 Graph of Percentage Passing 75µm against time. ....................................................................... 5
CHAPTER 2 .................................................................................................................................................... 6
CYANIDATION/LEACHING TEST ..................................................................................................................... 6
2.1 Background study ............................................................................................................................... 6
2.2 Procedures .......................................................................................................................................... 6
2.3 Calculations for Data ........................................................................................................................... 6
2.3.1 Calculations on sample B1(20minutes)........................................................................................ 6
2.3.2 Calculations on sample B2(30minutes)........................................................................................ 7
2.3.3 Calculations on sample B3(40minutes)........................................................................................ 7
2.3.4 Amount of Lime to Add ................................................................................................................ 8
2.3.5 Leaching Sample Draw Time ........................................................................................................ 8
2.4 Test Results ......................................................................................................................................... 8
2.4.1 Sample B1 .................................................................................................................................... 9
2.4.2 Gold % Recovery as a function of Leaching Time for B1 ............................................................ 10
2.4.3 Sample B2 .................................................................................................................................. 10
2.4.4 Gold % Recovery as a function of Leaching Time for B2 ............................................................ 11
iii
 2.4.5 Sample B3 .................................................................................................................................. 11
2.4.6 Gold % Recovery as a function of Leaching Time for B3 ............................................................ 12
CHAPTER THREE .......................................................................................................................................... 13
PRECAUTIONS, OBSERVATION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION .................................................. 13
3.1 Precautions ....................................................................................................................................... 13
3.2 Observation ....................................................................................................................................... 13
3.4 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................... 13
3.5 Recommendation.............................................................................................................................. 13
GROUP ONE MEMBERS ............................................................................................................................... 14

iv
 CHAPTER ONE

BOTTLE ROLL TEST: GRINDABILITY TEST

1.1 Introduction
This is a gold percentage recovery analysis with time. It consists of two tests; they are:

 Grindability test- for minimum time needed to grind to 80% passing 125µm, 106µm and 75µm
 A1- 80% passing 125 µm
 A2- 80% passing 106 µm
 A3- 80% passing 75 µm
 Leaching/ cyanidation test- for the percentage recovery of gold by cyanidation at the 2nd ,4th ,8th
and 24th hour for each of the samples:
 B1- 20mins grind time
 B2- 30mins grind time
 B3- 40mins grind time

A ball mill is a type of grinder which is cylindrical device used in grinding (or mixing) materials like
ores, chemicals ceramic raw materials and paints. Ball mills rotate around a horizontal axis,
partially filled with the material to be ground plus the grinding medium. Different materials are
used as media, including ceramic balls, flint pebbles and stainless steel balls. An internal
cascading effect reduces the material to a fine powder.
Large to medium sized ball mills are mechanically rotated on their axis, but small ones normally
consist of a cylindrical capped container that sits on two drive shafts (pulleys and belts are used
to transmit rotary motion). The grinding works on the principle of critical speed. The critical speed
can be understood as that speed after which the steel balls (which are responsible for the
grinding of particles) start rotating along the direction of the cylindrical device, thus causing no
further grinding.
Grindability deals with the study of the effects of changes in the mill operating parameters on
the performance of the mill and subsequently its effects on the properties of the charge. The
sensitivity of a mill mostly affects the quality of the product particles sizes obtained after the
process. The parameters that define the sensitivity of the mill are; power consumption which
affects the rate of rotation of the mill, properties of the grinding media-size, hardness, density
and composition of the steel balls and also the change in shape and flow behaviour and effects
of particle sizes distribution.

1.2 Purpose/ Aim

 To illustrate the sensitivity of the ball milling to a few of the major operating variables
stated in the introduction.

1
  To develop an understanding of the methods employed in sealing up the lab to large
commercial size mills.

 To determine the time needed attain 80% passing 75µm, 106µm and 125µm.

1.3 Materials/ Equipment

 Weighing scale
 Jaw crusher
 Cone crusher
 Roll crusher
 Ball mill
 Steel balls
 Electronic balance
 Jones riffle
 Screening sieves
 Measuring cylinder
 Stop clock

1.4 Procedures
Part One-Sampling (Sample Extraction)

 We took representative sample of 2kg from each of the bulk samples.

 Mixed the individual samples to form one composite sample.
Part Two- Crushing and Sample Dividing Techniques

 Crushed the sample sequentially using the jaw crusher preceding the cone crusher and
finally the roll crusher to minus 2mm.
 We split the crusher product into 4 using coning and quartering, and label them A, B, C,
and D.
 Picked one portion (sample A) and used the Jones riffler to divide further into four (A1,
A2, A3, and A4).
 Took a sample for head grade determination using fire assaying or acid digestion.
Part Three- Grinding and Grindability Test
 Grinded three portions (1kg each) of the sample A (A1, A2, A3, and A4) at 60% solids
sequentially for 5, 10 and 15mins in succession.
 We built a nest sieves containing 75µm, 106µm and 125µm and use it to screen each
sample.
 We noted the dry weight (and percentage) of material passing each of the three sieves
for each of the grinding periods.
 Draw a graph of percentage passing each of sieve against time.
 Determine the time required to grind to 80% passing 75µm, 106µm and 125µm.
2
1.5 Data and Results
1.5.1 Data obtained after screening with 125µm
125µm 125µm % PASSING
TIME OVERSIZE(g) UNDERSIZE(g) INITIAL(g) 125µm
5 634 390.3 1024.3 38.10407107
10 545 479.7 1025.4 46.78174371
15 261.1 763.1 1025.2 74.43425673
% PASSING
TIME 125µm
5 38.10407107
10 46.78174371
15 74.43425673
1.5.2 Graph of Percentage Passing 125µm against time

% PASSING 125µm
80
70
60
y = 26.11e0.067x
50
Axis Title

40
30
20
10
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Time(minutes)

 Equation of the graph: y = 26.11e0.067x

 Where y= % passing 125µm and x= time
 Finding x if y= 80 from the equation
 80 = 26.11e0.067x
80
 e0.067x= 26.11 = 3.064
 ln e0.067x = ln3.064
 0.067x = ln3.064
𝑙𝑛3.064
 x= 0.067
 x= 16.71minutes
 Therefore, the time needed to attain 80% passing 125µm is 16.71minutes.

3
1.5.3 Data obtained after screening with 106µm
106µ 106µ
Time(minutes) oversize(g) undersize(g) Initial weight(g) % passing 106µ
5(A1) 30.2 360.1 1024.3 35.1557161
10(A2) 49.7 430 1025.4 41.93485469
15(A3) 97.8 665.3 1025.2 64.8946547

Time(minutes) % passing 106 µ

5(A1) 35.1557161
10(A2) 41.93485469
15(A3) 64.8946547

1.5.4 Graph of Percentage Passing 106µm

Graph of% passing 106µm agaianst time

70
y = 24.777e0.0613x
60

50
% passing 106

40

30

20

10

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Time(minutes)

 Equation of the graph: y = 24.777e0.0613x

Where y= % passing 106µm and x= time
 Finding x if y= 80 from the equation
 80 = 24.777e0.0613x
80
 e0.0613x= 24.777 = 3.229
 ln e0.0613x = ln3.229
 0.0613x = ln3.229
𝑙𝑛3.229
 x= 0.0613

4
  x= 19.122minutes
Therefore, the time needed to attain 80% passing 106µm is 19.122minutes.
1.5.5 Data obtained after screening with 75µm
75µm 75µm
TIME(minutes) OVERSIZE(g) UNDERSIZE(g) INITIAL % PASSING
5 25.9 334.2 1024.3 32.62716001
10 35.5 394.5 1025.4 38.47279111
15 107.3 558 1025.2 54.42840421
% PASSING
TIME(minutes) 75µm
5 32.62716001
10 38.47279111
15 54.42840421

1.5.6 Graph of Percentage Passing 75µm against time.

Graph of % passing 75µm against time

60

50 y = 24.506e0.0512x
% passing 75micrins

40

30

20

10

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

Time(minutes)

 Equation of the graph: y = 24.506e0.0512x

 Where y= % passing 75µ and x= time
 Finding x if y= 80 from the equation
 80 = 24.506e0.0512x
80
 e0.0512x= 24.506 = 3.265
 ln e0.0512x = ln3.265
 0.0512x = ln3.265
𝑙𝑛3.265
 x= 0.0512
 x= 23.111minutes
 Therefore, the time needed to attain 80% passing 75µm is 23.111minutes.

5
 CHAPTER 2

CYANIDATION/LEACHING TEST
2.1 Background study
This is a hydrometallurgical technique for extracting gold from low-grade ore by converting the gold
to a water- soluble coordination complex. It is the most commonly used process for gold extraction.
with a designed analysis for, an amount of sodium cyanide is added to an ore at a minimum pH of
11(to avoid the evolution of hydrogen cyanide gas) for the conversion of gold into a solution with
time and the percentage recovery of gold measured at various time intervals.

2.2 Procedures
 Determine the moisture content
 Take three portions (1kg each) of samples B(B1, B2 and B3) and grind at 60% solids
sequentially to 80% passing 75, 106 and 125 respectively.
 Pour each into a well-labeled leaching bottle.
 Leach each of the samples under the following conditions:
 Cyanide strength- 250ppm
 Pulp Density- 45%
 pH -11.5
 Leaching time- 2, 4, 8, and 24hr.
 Agitate on rollers
 Remove the bottles from rollers and filter to get leachate (pregnant solution) and filter
cake(tailings).
 Take 100ml of pregnant solution for AAS determination of gold concentration.
 Wash the cake with water, dry and take a sample of 200g for acid digestion to determine
gold in tails.
 Plot a graph of Gold recovery against time for each of the grind size.

2.3 Calculations for Data

2.3.1 Calculations on sample B1(20minutes)
 We take 100g(wet) sample from B1 to determine the moisture content to represent
its bulk:
 Using ratio or proportion method,

B1 Wet(g) Dry(g) Moisture g, ml %

Sample 100 72.1 27.9 27.9
Bulk 1386.96 1000 386.96 27.9

New Pulp Density (45% solids)

 If 45%= 1000g
 55%=y where y= total water to add to solids to prepare a 45% pulp density
6
 1000×55
 Then y= = 1222.2𝑔 = 1.222𝑘𝑔 = 1.222𝐿
45
 Actual water to add since there is already 0.321L present:
 1.222L- 0.387+0.0279L= 0.863L
 Amount of Cyanide to add:
 If 1L =250ppm(mg/L)
 1.222L = u where u= amount of cyanide to add in mg
 Then u= 250×1.222= 305.5mg= 305.5×10-3= 0.31g

2.3.2 Calculations on sample B2(30minutes)

 We take 100g(wet) sample from B1 to determine the moisture content to represent
its bulk:
 Using ratio or proportion method,

B2 Wet(g) Dry(g) Moisture g, ml %

Sample 100 69.9 30.1 30.1
Bulk 1430.62 1000 430.62 30.1

New Pulp Density (45% solids)

 If 45%= 1000g
 55%=y where y= total water to add to solids to prepare a 45% pulp density
1000×55
 Then y= = 1222.2𝑔 = 1.222𝑘𝑔 = 1.222𝐿
45
 Actual water to add since there is already 0.321L present:
 1.222L- 0.431L+0.0301= 0.821L
 Amount of Cyanide to add:
 If 1L =250ppm(mg/L)
 1.222L = u where u= amount of cyanide to add in mg
 Then u= 250×1.222= 305.5mg= 305.5×10-3= 0.31g

2.3.3 Calculations on sample B3(40minutes)

 We take 100g(wet) sample from B1 to determine the moisture content to represent its
bulk:
 Using ratio or proportion method,

B3 Wet(g) Dry(g) Moisture g, ml %

Sample 100 67.9 32.1 32.1
Bulk 1472.75 1000 472.75 32.1

New Pulp Density (45% solids)

7
  If 45%= 1000g
 55%=y where y= total water to add to solids to prepare a 45% pulp density
1000×55
 Then y= = 1222.2𝑔 = 1.222𝑘𝑔 = 1.222𝐿
45
 Actual water to add since there is already 0.321L present:
 1.222L- 0.473L+0.0321= 0.781L
 Amount of Cyanide to add:
 If 1L =250ppm(mg/L)
 1.222L = u where u= amount of cyanide to add in mg
 Then u= 250×1.222= 305.5mg= 305.5×10-3= 0.31g
2.3.4 Amount of Lime to Add
Sample pH Before pH After Mass of lime Mass of lime Mass of lime
Before(g) After(g) added(g)
B1 8.19 11.17 4.00 1.35 2.65
B2 8.92 11.18 4.00 1.31 2.69
B3 8.37 11.08 4.00 1.40 2.6

2.3.5 Leaching Sample Draw Time

Start……………………………………….12:25pm Saturday
2nd hour………………………………….02:25pm Saturday
4th hour……………………………………04:25pm Saturday
8th hour……………………………………08:25pm Saturday
24th hour………………………………….12:25pm Sunday

2.4 Test Results

Sample Head Grades 1.52

B1(125µm,20minutes grind) 2HR 0.75

4HR 1.05
8HR 1.21
24HR 2.13
TAILINGS 0.25
B2(106µm,30minutes grind) 2HR 0.89
4HR 1.16
8HR 1.43
24HR 2.35
TAILINGS 0.26
B3(75µm,40minutes grind) 2HR 1.02
8
 4HR 1.22
8HR 2.16
24HR 3.04
TAILINGS 0.23

2.4.1 Sample B1
 Tailings value in 1L= 0.25mg
 Tailings value in 100mL= 100×10-3×0.25= 0.025mg
 Gold in 200g tailings= 0.025mg
0.025×1000
 Then gold in the 1kg= 200
= 𝟎. 𝟏𝟐𝟓𝒎𝒈
 Total gold in the 1kg ore= gold in solution after 24hrs+gold in tailings= (2.13×1.222)+0.125
= 2.602+0.125= 2.727mg
 Gram of gold in 1tonne will be= (2.002×10 g×10 g)/10 g= 2.727g/t
-3 6 3

𝐺𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑖𝑛 0.881𝐿
 Percentage Recovery= 𝐶𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒 × 100

B1
Au in
Time, h Gold in solution, mg/L(in 1L) 1.222L Au, mg Recovery
2 0.75 0.917 33.598
4 1.05 1.283 47.037
8 1.21 1.479 54.204
24 2.13 2.603 95.418
Tailings in 1L 0.25
Tailings in 100mL 0.025
Gold in 1g tailings 0.125
Total gold in 1kg Ore 2.728
Total gold in 1t ore 2728
Calculated Head Grade 2.728g/t
Graph of Recovery % against Time
Time, h Recovery
2 33.598
4 47.037
8 54.204
24 95.418

9
2.4.2 Gold % Recovery as a function of Leaching Time for B1

Gold % Recovery as a function of Leaching Time

for B1
120
Percentage recovery, %

100

80

60

40

20

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Leaching Time, Hr

2.4.3 Sample B2
 Tailings value in 1L= 0.26mg
 Tailings value in 100mL= 100×10-3×0.25= 0.026mg
 Gold in 200g tailings= 0.026mg
0.026×1000
 Then gold in the 1kg= 200
= 𝟎. 𝟏𝟑𝒎𝒈
 Total gold in the 1kg ore= gold in solution after 24hrs+gold in tailings= (2.35×1.222) +0.13
= 2.872+0.13= 3.002mg
 Gram of gold in 1tonne will be= (3.002×10 g×10 g)/10 g= 3.002g/t
-3 6 3

𝐺𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑖𝑛 0.854𝐿
 Percentage Recovery= 𝐶𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒 × 100

B2
Gold in
solution, Au in
Time, h mg/L(in 1L) 1.222L Au, mg Recovery
2 0.89 1.088 36.232
4 1.16 1.418 47.224
8 1.43 1.747 58.216
24 2.35 2.872 95.669
Tailings in 1L 0.26
Tailings in 100mL 0.026
Gold in 1g tailings 0.13
Total gold in 1kg Ore 3.002

10
 Total gold in 1t ore 3002

Calculated Head Grade 3.002g/t

Graph of Recovery % against Time
Time, h Recovery
2 36.23213512
4 47.22390645
8 58.21567778
24 95.66912083

2.4.4 Gold % Recovery as a function of Leaching Time for B2

Gold % Recovery as a function of Leaching Time

for B2
120
Percentage recovery, %

100

80

60

40

20

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Leaching Time, Hr

2.4.5 Sample B3
 Tailings value in 1L= 0.23mg
 Tailings value in 100mL= 100×10-3×0.23= 0.023mg
 Gold in 200g tailings= 0.023mg
0.023×1000
 Then gold in the 1kg= 200
= 𝟎. 𝟏𝟏𝟓𝒎𝒈
 Total gold in the 1kg ore= gold in solution after 24hrs+gold in tailings= (3.04×1.222) +0.115
= 2.520+0.115= 3.830mg
 Gram of gold in 1tonne will be= (3.830×10 g×10 g)/10 g= 3.830g/t
-3 6 3

𝐺𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑖𝑛 0.881𝐿
 Percentage Recovery= 𝐶𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒 × 100

11
 B3
Gold in
solution,
mg/L(in Au in
Time, h 1L) 1.222L Au, mg Recovery
2 1.02 1.246 32.545
4 1.22 1.491 38.927
8 2.16 2.640 68.919
24 3.04 3.715 96.997
Tailings in 1L 0.23
Tailings in 100mL 0.023

Gold in 1g tailings 0.115

Total gold in 1kg Ore 3.830

Total gold in 1t ore 3830

Calculated Head Grade 3.830g/t

Graph of Recovery % against Time
Time, h Recovery
2 32.545
4 38.927
8 68.919
24 96.997

2.4.6 Gold % Recovery as a function of Leaching Time for B3

Gold % Recovery as a function of Leaching Time

for B3
120
Percentage recovery, %

100

80

60

40

20

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Leaching Time, Hr

12
 CHAPTER THREE

PRECAUTIONS, OBSERVATION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

3.1 Precautions
 Tightening of the ball mill to avoid leakage during wet milling.
 Proper housekeeping was ensured.
 PPE was worn.
 Evolution of hydrogen cyanide gas was avoided by conditioning the slurry with lime.
 Filtered sample was ensured that they are free of particle that can block the AAS.

3.2 Observation
 The longer the grinding time the fine the particle size.
 It was observed that different particle sizes had different recovery rate.
 From the graphs the absence of preg-robbers was observed.
 The highest recovery was 96.997%( B3) on its 24th hour.
 Grinding at 60% solids allows the appropriate amount of solid coatings on the the steel ball for
efficient grinding.

3.4 Conclusion
 Particle size is an important factor to consider during cyanidation leaching.
 More gold is recovered over longer period of time.

3.5 Recommendation
 Oxygen should be increased to by introducing hydrogen peroxide(H2O2) every hour of leaching
time to enhance the rate of cyanidation.
 Leaching should be done for more than 24hrs since after sometime the gradient increases with
time.

13
 GROUP ONE MEMBERS
o AMOAH LEAPHORN CHRIS
o KESSE EMMANUEL
o BINEY ENOCH TAKYI
o FRIMPONG PETER
o BORSAH EMMANUEL

14