Gipronickel Institute Ltd

A. A. Lebedeva, Researcher, e-mail: AALeb@nikel.spb.su
O. A. Kravtsova, Deputy Head of Laboratory
V. I. Maksimov, Head of Laboratory
D. V. Lyalinov, Senior Researcher, Laboratory of Raw Material Geological and Technological Studies

Kola MMC

A. P Shorikov, Chief of the Ore Beneficiation Department

Zhdanovsky Deposit of sulphide copper-nickel ore is the principal source of feed for Kola MMC' Concentrator. Disseminated ore type is the dominating ore, pentlandite and chalcopyrite being the target minerals. To improve the process parameters and stabilize it by implementing resonable and optimum process and reagent conditions, a battery of mineralogical studies of ore and beneficiation products must be performed. Investigation of ore feed and beneficiation products includes study of mineralogical, chemical and fractional composition. Quality assessment and nature of distribution of the principal ore minerals in morphological varieties (aggregates) due to fraction size are the basic parameters characterising the samples. Major nickel and copper losses are related to insufficient communition and half-liberation of pentlandite and chalcopyrite aggregates with silicates and magnetite, as well as to excessive sulphides in the process of grinding. Also, they are directly dependent on the ore feed' morphological features. Moreover, value metal losses could be determined by technological process currently existing at the Concentration Plant. The said type of losses can be identified in the course of studies of flotation products at the key circuits.

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