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Solvent Extraction, Mineral Processing and Alumina Processing

Rejection of Pyrite: Challenges and Sustainable Chemical Solutions

Table 3: Reagent Scheme for the Study Using Ore-2. at pH 11.5, the regular condition for depression when lime is
used. For the evaluated alternatives, however, lime was not
N° Collector-1[M] Collector-2 [C]
added in the cleaning stage, so that comparisons could be
1 AP-9950; 20 g/t – made with results obtained for the subsequent study using
2 XD-5002; 10 g/t – depressants (see below).
3 AP-9950; 15 g/t MX-945; 5 g/t The selective collectors evaluated with Ore-3 included AERO
4 MX-8522; 15 g/t MX-945; 5 g/t 9950 promoter (structurally modified thionocarbamate)
and AERO® 9955 promoter (a mix of thionocarbamate and
5 MX-7017; 15 g/t MX-945; 5 g/t
dithiocarbamate). Their performance was compared to
STD PAX; 20 g/t – that of the non-selective collector SIPX (sodium isopropyl
[M]: Grind mill; [C]: Conditioning xanthate), for which the standard conditions were used.

The third study included a cleaning stage (evaluated in an The following figure (Figure 3) shows both the rougher and
open cycle test). As indicated in the Experimental section, global recoveries (considering an open cycle test with two
for the standard collector, the cleaning stage was conducted cleaning stages and a scavenger stage) conducted on Ore-3.

100
Cu-FC Grade = Cu Fe Mo
90

80

70

60
Recovery (%)

50

40

30
FIGURE 3:
20
Comparative study between a
10 non-selective collector (SIPX)
0 and two selective collectors
Rougher Final Rougher Final Rougher Final
ST AP- AP-

It can be seen in the figure that similar copper rougher The overall recovery of iron for the xanthate was calculated
recoveries were obtained for all three of the collectors, to be 30% based on analysis of the final concentrate
while in the rougher stage, the xanthate and AERO® 9950 after the two cleaning steps and considering the classical
promoter had similar molybdenum recoveries and the cleaning at high pH. AERO 9955 promoter, meanwhile, had
AERO® 9955 promoter provided a greater recovery. The iron an overall iron recovery of close to 20%, while that of AERO
recoveries in the rougher stage were significantly different, 9950 promoter (the most efficient in the rougher stage)
however. The xanthate had a high recovery (approximately was approximately 15%. With these values, the grades
80%), followed by the AERO 9955 promoter (with a value obtained for the final concentrate in terms of the copper
near 65%), but the AERO 9950 promoter was the most content were determined and are indicated in Figure 3.
selective (rougher Fe recovery of approximately 40%). With both AERO 9950 promoter and AERO 9955 promoter,

27
IN PROCESS SEPARATION

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