THE PERFORMANCE OF

INLINE LEACH REACTOR

Amankwah-Poku Celestine

Amankwah-Poku Celestine Page 1

 ACKNOLEDGEMENT

All thanks to our creator Almighty God for his loving mercies and kindness He has shown
me.

More than five plant supervisors, plant operators and laboratory technicians and analysts
were consulted before executing this project. Their advice has not only shown me how to
unearth the success of this project but also helped me improve my own understanding
about this project.

I am deeply grateful for their insights, encouragement and willingness to help me come out
with a successful project.

For this project I was fortunate to work with an excellent metallurgical laboratory
supervisor, Mr. Samuel Sackey, whose flexibility, patience and light touch made our
collaboration enjoyable.

I also wish to acknowledge, with gratitude, all other laboratory assistants for their diverse
efforts. I say CUDOS to your support.

I am grateful to the following colleagues for ideas, inspiration and support: Nicholas Nana
Boakye (Business Dev’t AGA), Acheampong Boateng Enoch, Ampofo Obed, Abu
Prempeh, Minnoh Kenneth Peter Junior, Owusu-Adjei Daniel and Aseidu Djan Micheal.

I am indebted to hundreds of AGA workers over my stay and made this project a pleasant
and rewarding task.

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 ABSTRACT
Investigation was made on the ILR 2000 feed material to find the optimum particle
size range to maximize recovery of the leach reactor.
Gravity gold concentrate was sized into various fractions and each subjected to
intensive cyanidation leaching.
Leaching kinetics was monitored to study the trend of dissolution for every leach
test work done. On completion of the test work, it was realized that, the fractions
with high gold grades were +150µm and +300µm particle sizes while the least gold
grade were +1000µm and +2000µm which constitutes only 13.24% of the bulk
sample.
The mass distribution result of the sample evidently shows the contribution of the
SAG mill to the overall volume of gravity gold concentrates produced by the
Knelson concentrators to the ILR feed cone.

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 CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION
The In-Line Leach Reactor (ILR) has been used to increase recoveries of both free
gold and sulphide related gold. In their installations to present time, significant
increases in total recoveries have been achieved. This reflects the ILR’s very fast
leach kinetics and capacity to leach coarse and high grade gold concentrates. At the
South Treatment Plant of AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi mine, there are two installed
Inline Leach Reactors (ILR 1000 and ILR 2000) for such purpose.
This project focuses on the effect of particle size on ILR 2000 performance.

PROBLEM DEFINITION
Tails from ILR 2000 are still on the higher side currently above 180g/t. ILR tails are
been pumped to the CIL circuit for further dissolution.
Particle size of the ILR 2000 feed must be investigated to determine the optimum
particle size which will yield a maximum recovery.

PROBLEM JUSTIFICATION
Gravity gold concentrates produced by the Knelson concentrators needs be seized
into various fractions and each fraction subjected to intensive cyanidation leaching.
The leaching results would help to know at which particle size is yielding an
optimum recovery.

1.1 SCOPE
The project focuses on the effect of particle size on ILR 2000 recovery.

1.2 OBJECTIVES

To determine which particle size of the feed material yield maximum recovery.

To determine the range of particle size that enhances optimum dissolution.

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 CHAPTER TWO

2.0 BACKGROUND
The use of batch centrifugal concentrators has become standard practice to recover
free gravity gold from grinding circuits. Traditionally concentrates from these
separations are upgraded by shaking tables. Replacing the tables with ILR will
significantly improve recoveries and lower the security risks associated with gravity
circuits. The fast leach kinetics and aggressive chemical conditions of the ILR have
also been shown to limit the impact of sulphide minerals such as stibnite sometimes
called antimonite (a sulfide mineral with the formula Sb2S3. This soft grey material
crystallizes in an orthorhombic space group. It is the most important source for the
metalloid antimony), Pyrrhotite and pyrites in complex sulphide gold concentrates.
Accordingly, the ILR offers potential to significantly increase overall mill
recoveries.

2.1 MECHANISM OF OPERATION

The Inline Leach Reactor is an intensive cyanidation reactor of which there are two
model lines – batch and continuous units.
In principal, the batch ILR has been designed to treat small volume gravity gold
concentrates produced by batch separators. The continuous ILR has been developed
to treat gold and complex sulphide concentrates produced by the inline pressure jig
and flotation.

The ILR operates on a semi-submerged bed principal. A partially closed medium

aspect ratio drum is filled with concentrate to the overflow level and rotated. The
rolling drum technology closely resembles common bottle roll technology but with
added features. The solution carrying all reagents is cycled through the drum at
relatively high flow rate to ensure a constant supply of cyanide and oxygen. The
action of the drum ensures a high level of solution shear at the particle surface,

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 which removes chemical passivating products that may form at the particle surface.
This also guarantees that there are no "Dead Spots" in the solution-solid interface
and the solid particles see fresh solution continuously.

Residence time is predicted in the laboratory and set by reactor volume and solids
feed rate. Barren solids are removed from the circuit via a de-watering cone and de-
watering screen. The pregnant solution is pumped to electrowin, resin or carbon
circuits for gold recovery.

2.2 ADVANTAGES OF INLINE LEACH REACTOR

High recovery: The target recovery of free gold for the ILR is plus 98%. Very high
recovery rates on complex sulphide-related gold can also be expected.

High security: The ILR will significantly improve gold concentrate security by
replacing the tabling step and eliminate concentrate handling.

Low operating cost– high automation: The system offers fully integrated
electronic control of all critical leach parameters and is fully automated. Recovery
costs per ounce are attractive.

Ease of installation: This complete system can be retro-fitted (added equipment to

existing power plants to improve their energy efficiency, increase their output and
extend their lifespan, while decreasing emissions ) to any grinding circuit. The ILR
is modular and can sit adjacent to the plant. Controls easily integrate into existing
plant distributed control system.

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 Bench scale test work: The performance and cost for this simple system can be
effectively predicted at bench scale in a laboratory. Reactor conditions can be
optimized prior to full scale installation.

Low maintenance: There are no high speeds or high wear components in the
system.

Very simple: Only one pump and one drum drive. No complex reagents.

Proven technology: Thorough mixing of solids-solution with the rotating drum,

unlike vat leaching systems.

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 CHAPTER THREE

3.0 METHODOLOGY

3.1 SAFETY EQUIPMENT USED

Disposable hand gloves

Safety goggles

Laboratory overall

3.2 APPARATUS USED

Mass balance

DO meter

pH meter

500ml volumetric flask

Six 1L beakers

3.3 MACHINES USED

Atomic Absorption Spectrometer

Electronic stirrers

3.4 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

3.4.1 Calibration of the DO and pH meters

3.4.2 DO meter calibration

The calibration of the DO meter was done by recording a room temperature (25ºC)
and adjusting the calibrating sensor to read the expected DO reading of 8.6ppm as
by the manufacturer’s data.

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 3.4.3 pH meter calibration

The pH meter was calibrated with the buffer 7 solution as it was to be used to check
the pH of basic media.

3.5 SAMPLING

Composite samples were taken from ILR 2000 feed cone at different days and
blended.

3.5.1 SAMPLE PREPARATION

The sample was filtered and moisture content determined and then divided into two
portions. To the first portion;

Wet sizing analysis was employed to determine the percent passing with respective
sieves of aperture; 4mm, 3.35mm, 2mm, 1mm, 500µm, 300µm,150 µm,75 µm.

4mm, 3.35mm and 2mm size samples were combined as they were mostly scats.

Head samples were taken for gold assay.

Percent passing of respective sieves were then calculated.

Retained fractions of samples on the respective sieve were weighed and subjected
to intensive cyanidation leaching.

The assay results indicated that +300µm recorded the highest gold grade.

The second portion of the sample was also equally divided into three portions and
seized into +500 µm, -500 µm, +300 µm, -300 µm, +150 µm, -150 µm and
subjected to leaching.

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 3.6 PREPARATION OF CYANIDE SOLUTION

Cyanide solution of 30% strength was prepared by the following procedures;

150g of cyanide powder was weighed into a cleaned and dried 500 ml beaker.

500ml of water was conditioned with caustic to a pH of 12 and placed under stirrer
for homogeneous mixing of the solution.

The caustic solution was poured into portions in two different beakers.

To the fist portion; the weighed cyanide powder was then transferred into it under
the stirrer for10 minutes and then transferred into a 500ml volumetric flask and
topped with the other half of the conditioned caustic solution till it reached the
etched mark.

The cyanide solution was corked, labeled and placed on the laboratory bench.

3.7 LEACHING

The required amount of sample to be leached was weighed into individual beakers
and was repulped at 26% solids.

The samples were then placed under stirrers and left for 5 minutes to ensure
homogeneous mixing prior to conditioning of the slurry.

Initial pH and DO levels of the samples were recorded.

Individual pHs of the samples were modified to 12 by addition of lime whiles the
DO level were raised to 14ppm.

Respective volumes of cyanide solution were introduced into the slurry to

commence the leaching process.

Solution profile was done throughout the process to monitor the dissolution trend of
gold in the samples for every two hours.

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 The leaching was due 18 hours after which the process was terminated.

The DO and pH were hourly checked to maintain their level throughout the
leaching time.

The same procedure was repeated for -500µm, -300 µm and -150µm samples for
twelve hours of leaching time.

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 CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 RESULTS

4.1 ANALYSIS OF PERCENT SOLIDS, HEAD GRADE, TOTAL SULPHUR,

ARSENIC AND WEIGHT RETAINED ON SIEVES OF THE TOTAL
SAMPLE.

Mass of total sample = 4440.9g

Mass of wet sample for moisture content determination = 149.3g

Mass of sample after drying = 125.0g

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑟𝑦 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒

Percent solids = x 100
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑒𝑡 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒

125
%solids = x 100
149.3

= 0.8372

Percent solid of total sample = 83.72%

Hence total dry mass of sample = 0.8372 x4440.9

= 3717.92g

Table 1.0 Weight retained, Sample head grades, Total Sulphur and Arsenic
content in various fractions.

SIZE (um) -75 75 +150 +300 +500 +1000 +2000 H/S

WT RTD (g) 319.30 626.90 1567.60 776.30 562.70 270.50 317.60 4440.90

g/t Au 897.1 875.8 721.3 1308 781.3 153.00 21.2 822.50

%S 11.84 15.00 8.49 6.04 3.43 1.56 13.88 8.61

%As 13.37 13.18 6.49 4.97 3.32 2.31 0.36 12.53

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 4.2 ESTIMATING SULPHUR, GOLD AND ARSENIC CONTENTS IN THE
RETAINED FRACTIONS.

FORMULAE

Gold content =

% 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒 𝑥 𝑖𝑡𝑠 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒(𝑔/𝑡)

𝑥100
𝐶𝑎𝑙𝑐. 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝐴𝑢

𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒
% weight retained = 𝑥 100
𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒

Calc. Head sample Au =

𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑠 𝑥 𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑

100

Sulphur content =

% 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒 𝑥 𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑝ℎ𝑢𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡(%)

𝑥100
𝐶𝑎𝑙𝑐. 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑝ℎ𝑢𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡

Calc. Head sample sulphur content =

𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑝ℎ𝑢𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑥 𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑

100

Arsenic content=

% 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒 𝑥 𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑐 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡(%)

𝑥100
𝐶𝑎𝑙𝑐. 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑐 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡

Calc. Head sample arsenic content =

𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑐 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑥 𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑

100

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 Table 2.0 Calculated (Sulphur, Gold and Arsenic) contents in the various
fractions

Cal.
SIZE ( um ) -75 +75 +150 +300 +500 +1000 +2000 H/S
GOLD 8.26 15.83 32.59 29.27 12.67 1.19 0.19 781.23
SULPHUR 10.58 26.31 37.24 13.12 5.40 1.18 6.17 8.05
ARSENIC 14.63 28.32 34.88 13.23 6.40 2.14 0.39 6.57
%WT RTD 7.19 14.12 35.30 17.48 12.67 6.09 7.15 100.0
%PASSING 0.00 7.19 21.31 56.61 74.09 86.76 92.85

A graphical representation of Gold, Sulphur, Arsenic and Mass distribution of the

total sample is presented below;

ILR 2000 FEED MATERIAL

Gold, Sulphur, Arsenic & Mass Distribution

40.0

35.0
GOLD

30.0 SULPHUR
%Au, %S, %As & Wt Rtd

25.0
ARSENIC

%WT RTD
20.0

15.0

10.0

5.0

0.0
-75 +75 +150 +300 +500 +1000 +2000

SIZE [um]

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 4.3 ESTIMATING VOLUME OF CYANIDE SOLUTION

The volume of cyanide used for leaching can be mathematically expressed as;

𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑥 𝐷𝑟𝑦 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒

% 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑦𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑥 1000

So for a sample of dry mass 150g and a consumption of 50kg/ton the volume of
cyanide solution will be;

50 𝑥 150
0.30 𝑥 1000

=25ml of cyanide solution

Similar calculations were made to determine the volume of cyanide solutions to be

added to the rest of the fractions depending on their dry masses.

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 Table 3.0

LEACHING RESULTS FOR THE SAMPLE’S GRADINGS

Particle size (µm) +2000 +1000 +500 +300 +150 +75 -75
% Rec [Ind] 93.19 92.74 88.03 93.60 80.40 66.61 88.86
Soln Au [g/t] 22.96 201.87 717.12 1036.56 484.17 482.07 624.96
% Recovery. [R+r] 94.10 94.79 88.47 92.53 77.40 62.25 86.21
Dry Mass [ g ] 80 100 150 150 150 150 150
Initial Ph 9.42 8.89 8.62 9.6 11.8 10 10.7
Finaln Ph 13.3 12.5 12.2 12.1 12.62 12.5 12.5
conc of H2O2 ppm 16 16 16 16 16 16 16
Residence time 6 6 18 18 18 18 18
Initial NaCN [kg/t] 50.0 50.0 50.0 50.0 50.0 50.0 50.0
ASSAYS
Head Grade g/t Au 21.2 153.0 781.3 1308.0 721.3 875.8 897.1
Solid Residue g/t Au 1.44 11.10 93.50 83.70 141.40 292.40 99.98
Soln. Residue g/t Au 2.87 29.60 129.60 185.10 87.50 86.60 111.60
Soln Cyanide [ppm] 650 1250 1350 507 368 453 429
Solution Ph 12.35 12.26 12.45 12.14 12.10 12.12 12.24
Filtrate volume [ml] 640.0 682.0 830.0 840.0 830.0 835.0 840.0
Final DO2 After
[ppm] 17.0 16.4 15.3 17.0 16.4 14.4 13.0
CALCULATIONS
CN Consumpt'n
[kg/t] 44.80 41.48 42.53 47.16 47.96 47.48 47.60
Calc. Head [Au g/t] 24.40 212.97 810.62 1120.26 625.57 774.47 724.94
Metal Bal. 1.154 1.392 1.038 0.856 0.867 0.884 0.808

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Table 4.0

LEACHIMNG RESULTS FOR -500 µm, -300 µm, and -150 µm SAMPLES

Particle size (µm)

-500 -300 -150
% Rec [Ind]
92.25 93.61 89.50
Soln Au [g/t]
868.11 1057.97 804.96
% Recovery. [R+r]
91.85 93.12 88.87
Dry Mass [ g ]
150 150 100
Initial Ph
11.8 10 10.7
Finaln Ph
12.62 12.5 12.5
conc of H2O2 ppm
16 16 16
Residence time
12 12 12
Initial NaCN [kg/t]
50.0 50.0 50.0

ASSAYS
Head Grade g/t Au
992.9 1224.8 960.3
Solid Residue g/t Au
76.98 78.21 100.80
Soln. Residue g/t Au
158.80 191.20 111.80
Soln Cyanide [ppm]
6750 5800 4100
Solution Ph
13.37 13.49 13.40
Filtrate volume [ml]
820.0 830.0 720.0
Final DO2 After [ppm]
16.4 14.4 13.0

CALCULATIONS
CN Consumpt'n [kg/t]
13.10 17.91 20.48
Calc. Head [Au g/t]
945.09 1136.18 905.76
Metal Bal.
0.952 0.928 0.943

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 FORMULAE

𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒−𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑢𝑒

Indicated head = 𝑥 100
𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒

𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑥 𝐹𝑖𝑙𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒

Solution Gold = 𝐷𝑟𝑦 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠

𝐶𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑−𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑢𝑒

% Recovery = 𝐶𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑
𝑥 100

𝑘𝑔 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑐𝑦𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑥 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒

𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝐶𝑦𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑑𝑒 ( )−[ ]
𝑡 𝐷𝑟𝑦 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠
Cyanide consumption = 1000

Calculated Head = Solid residue + Solution head

𝐶𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑
Metal balance = 𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑎𝑦 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑

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A graph of Au distribution versus Dissolution of various mesh fractions.

Au Distribution Vrs Dissolution

100.0

90.0

80.0

70.0
% Au Dissolution

60.0
% Au Dist
50.0
%Diss [Ind]
40.0

30.0

20.0

10.0

0.0
2000 1000 500 300 150 75 -75
Mesh [µm]

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Table 5.0

Au distribution and dissolutions for -150µm, -300µm and -500µm fractions

Size(µm) -150 -300 -500 As Is

% Au Dist 56.67 85.94 98.61 100.00
% Diss 89.50 93.61 92.25 91.66

A graph of Au distribution against Dissolution for -500 µm, -300 µm and -150µm

Au Distribution Vrs Dissolution

94.0 110.0

% Au Dist 100.0
93.0

% Diss 90.0
92.0

% Au Distribution
% Au Dissolution

80.0
91.0
70.0

90.0
60.0

89.0
50.0

88.0 40.0
-150 -300 -500 As Is
Mesh [um]

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 CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 DISCUSSIONS

Comments on mass distribution, Knelson concentrator’s performance and the

contributions of the Ball and Sag mills.

At the end of the test work it was realized that 35.3% of the bulk sample was
captured at particle size of +150µm followed by +300µm particle size also
recording a value of 17.48% of the total bulk.

The mass distribution result of the sample evidently shows the contribution of the
SAG mill to the overall volume of gravity gold concentrates from the Knelson
concentrators.

This is not to say that the ball mill doesn’t contribute to the total volume but then
there is a possibility of the free gold from the ball mill being finer than that of the
sag mill might escape during the concentration process.

Head grade of the respective fractions expressed in percentages also indicates

clearly, a declination from 32.59% to 0.19% as shown in the above table. +2000
µm particle sizes recorded the least percentage as it was mostly scarts.

In total, +2000 µm and +1000 µm particle sizes only contributed 13.24% of the
total bulk sample.

Comments on the leaching results.

A good leaching test work was done with recoveries 94.79% down to 62.25%.
From the leaching data +1000 µm gave a highest recovery followed by +2000 µm
particle sizes but these two only contribute 13.24% of total sample and a gold
content of 1.38%.

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 +300 µm particle sizes also gave a recovery of 91.04% and +150 µm particle sizes a
recovery of 67.21% and the two contribute 52.78% of the bulk sample and also
contributed 61.86% of gold content. +500 µm, +75 µm, -75 µm also gave
respective recoveries of 88.47%, 62.25% and 86.21% and collectively sum up to
38.14% of the bulk sample.

With these results it is evidently clear that particle sizes with high gold contents are
+300 µm and +150 µm.

Secondly, leaching results of -500 µm, -300 µm and -150 µm also shows that,
-300µm is recoverable compared to the others.

Comment on graph of Au distribution versus Dissolution of various mesh

fractions

It was realized that finer particle sizes were recording lower recoveries and their
total sulphur contributions can account for such a trend. As the particle sizes
recorded higher total sulphur values, this is an indication that gold contents are
occluded in them and hence making them not leachable.

More also, the Pyrites to Arsenopyrite ratios of the fractions also give rise to such
an expectation of results. The higher the ratio value, the higher the Arsenopyrite
content in the sample and the less the recoverable the sample as the much of the
gold content in the sample would be occluded in the arsenopyrite.

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 6.0 CHAPTER SIX

6.1 CONCLUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION

CONCLUSSION

• +150µm particle sizes recorded 35.3% followed by +300µm particle size also
recording a value of 17.48% of the total bulk. The mass distribution result of the
sample evidently shows the contribution of the SAG mill to the overall volume of
gravity gold concentrates

• Particle sizes to the gravity concentration are of acceptable range and mesh
fractions were all leachable with -300µm particle sizes given the maximum
recovery of 93.12%.

• +150µm and +75µm particles sizes were less leachable and recorded sulphur
content of 37.24% and 26.31% respectively

6.2 RECOMMENDATIONS

• Further test works should be carried on to ascertain the gold distribution trend of
ILR 2000 feed materials

• Regular check of ILR 2000 tails

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 REFERENCES

Wills, B.A., Mineral Processing Technology: Introduction to the practical aspect of

ore treatment and mineral recovery, 3rd ed., Pergamon Press, oxford, (1965).

Taggart, AF., Handbook of Mineral Dressing, John Wiley and Sons Inc., NY (1945)

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