Author:
Name & Surname: Nazarov Yu. P.
Company: RIVS Science and Production Association (Saint-Petersburg, Russia)
Work Position: Director of department
Scientific Degree: Candidate of Engineering Sciences
Contacts: e-mail: rivs@rivs.ru

Erdenet Mining Corporation preparation plant processes Erdenetiin Ovoo complex copper–molybdenum ore and produces copper (copper content of 23.5 %) and molybdenum concentrates. At the present time, in view of the change in the copper market trends and the increased concentrate haulage rate, it is expedient to develop a process for production of high quality copper concentrates. The difficulty of the task is conditioned by the requirement to accommodate the aftertreatment cycle inside of the limited area of the operating plant with the adherence to the actual chemical reagent conditions of the given plant. The laboratory tests showed produceabilty of the copper concentrate (copper content not less than 27 % and copper loss per cycle not higher than 3 %) using two circuits: withdrawal of the first concentrate portion with the highest content of copper (termed “head as against “tailings”) from the flotation circuit; separate flotation of sand and slime fractions. From the research evidence, the flotation circuit with the “head” withdrawal and the rest copper concentrate aftertreatment has been recommended and implemented. The project is adaptable at the similar processing plants.