JSC Polymetal Engineering (Russia):

Kovalev V. N., Ph. D. in Engineering Siences, Leading Engineer, kovalevVN@polymetal.ru
Asanova I. I., Chief Specialist, Asanova@polymetal.ru
Golikov V. V., Ph. D. in Engineering Siences, Head of Department of Mineral Processing, GolikVV@polumetal.ru
Rylov N. V., Head of Laboratory, RylovNV@polymetal.ru

The purpose of the work. The paper presents the results of the laboratory studies with respect to prospects of Jameson Cell flotation machines application instead of conventional mechanical or mechanical-air flotation machines in carbon flotation operation of the Bakyrchikskoye deposit ore. Organic carbon, contained in the ore, is turned to slime during grinding, producing negative effect on operational and processing results of flotation circuit. «Polymetal Engineering» Co. developed an ore-processing technology for separation of more active part of organic carbon in the head of the process through carbon flotation operation, the produced concentrate (carbon product) being stockpiled. The main cause for gold losses with carbon product is low selectivity in concentration of slime size fractions –25+0 microns), formed with organic carbon, liberated in grinding, and arsenopyrite, partially prone to sliming, in which main part of gold in ore is concentrated. The method for performing the work. The tests were conducted with standard laboratory mechanical flotation machines and Jameson Cell L150/1 on the material of two technological samples of the Bakyrchikskoye deposit primary sulfide ores. The optimal conditions of carbon flotation (reagent regime, solids content in slurry, pH) were preliminarily selected with the help of a laboratory mechanical flotation cell. In addition to the effect of flotation machine type, grinding fineness and reagent regime effects upon processing results were also studied. The results of the work. With respect to the studied flotation operation, serious processing advantages, related to application of mechanical-air flotation machines, if compared with more conventional equipment, were not revealed, however, with comparable processing results, operational advantages of the former are significant, permitting to recommend this equipment for commercial introduction.

The authors are indebted to Glencore Technology specialists R. Rahbani and A. A. Petrova for the assistance in performance of the study.

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