The use of low-toxic heavy suspensions in mineral sands evaluation and zircon fractionation
- Koroznikova, Larissa, Klutke, Cameron, McKnight, Stafford, Hall, Stephen
- Authors: Koroznikova, Larissa , Klutke, Cameron , McKnight, Stafford , Hall, Stephen
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Vol. 108, no. 1 (2008), p. 25-33
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper outlines a simple methodology for mineral characterization, developed as part of the Australian Mineral Industry Research Association (AMIRA) managed research project P777 'The Development of Heavy Suspension Techniques for High Density Separations (Replacement of Clerici's Solution)'. The project was sponsored by De Beers, Rio Tinto and Iluka Resources. Heavy mineral characterization of samples arising from exploration, mining or metallurgical processes is frequently conducted using laboratory heavy liquid analysis. Unfortunately, there are only a limited number of high density ('heavy') liquids and these tend to be more toxic as their density increases. Low-toxicity inorganic solutions, based on tungsten compounds, have been developed that can be utilized at relative densities (RD) up to 3.0. Beyond this value organic liquids can be used; however, this presents significant health and safety hazards. Diiodomethane (methylene iodide) having a relative density of 3.31 is commonly used. Mixtures of thallium formate and thallium malonate were found in the early 1900s by Clerici to provide liquids having specific gravities between 4.0 and 5.0. For the characterization of the heavy components of mineral sand deposits (e.g. anatase RD 3.9, rutile RD 4.2, ilmenite RD 4.4-4.7 and zircon RD 4.6-4.8) there is currently no heavy liquid alternative to Clerici's solution. Clerici's solution is highly toxic and testing is now conducted by few laboratories worldwide, with costs reflecting the chemical costs, infrastructure costs and health and safety regimes (e.g. blood testing of exposed staff). A simple laboratory technique of density fractionation has been developed, employing suspensions of fine tungsten carbide particles in lithium heteropolytungstates solutions, that can replace Clerici's solution in the evaluation of fine mineral sands samples (e.g. -250 +150 microns). The developing methodology that can achieve low-cost, low-toxic separations at relative densities above 4.0 is outlined and the comparison of results with Clerici's solution presented. In addition, preliminary work on density fractionation of zircon samples is presented. Zircon fractionation relates to their inclusion, radionuclide content and metamictization. © The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 2008.
- Description: C1
- Authors: Koroznikova, Larissa , Klutke, Cameron , McKnight, Stafford , Hall, Stephen
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Vol. 108, no. 1 (2008), p. 25-33
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper outlines a simple methodology for mineral characterization, developed as part of the Australian Mineral Industry Research Association (AMIRA) managed research project P777 'The Development of Heavy Suspension Techniques for High Density Separations (Replacement of Clerici's Solution)'. The project was sponsored by De Beers, Rio Tinto and Iluka Resources. Heavy mineral characterization of samples arising from exploration, mining or metallurgical processes is frequently conducted using laboratory heavy liquid analysis. Unfortunately, there are only a limited number of high density ('heavy') liquids and these tend to be more toxic as their density increases. Low-toxicity inorganic solutions, based on tungsten compounds, have been developed that can be utilized at relative densities (RD) up to 3.0. Beyond this value organic liquids can be used; however, this presents significant health and safety hazards. Diiodomethane (methylene iodide) having a relative density of 3.31 is commonly used. Mixtures of thallium formate and thallium malonate were found in the early 1900s by Clerici to provide liquids having specific gravities between 4.0 and 5.0. For the characterization of the heavy components of mineral sand deposits (e.g. anatase RD 3.9, rutile RD 4.2, ilmenite RD 4.4-4.7 and zircon RD 4.6-4.8) there is currently no heavy liquid alternative to Clerici's solution. Clerici's solution is highly toxic and testing is now conducted by few laboratories worldwide, with costs reflecting the chemical costs, infrastructure costs and health and safety regimes (e.g. blood testing of exposed staff). A simple laboratory technique of density fractionation has been developed, employing suspensions of fine tungsten carbide particles in lithium heteropolytungstates solutions, that can replace Clerici's solution in the evaluation of fine mineral sands samples (e.g. -250 +150 microns). The developing methodology that can achieve low-cost, low-toxic separations at relative densities above 4.0 is outlined and the comparison of results with Clerici's solution presented. In addition, preliminary work on density fractionation of zircon samples is presented. Zircon fractionation relates to their inclusion, radionuclide content and metamictization. © The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 2008.
- Description: C1
Application of thermal fragmentation in Australian hard rock underground narrow-vein mining
- Drake, Bradley, Koroznikova, Larissa, Tuck, Michael, Durkin, Steve
- Authors: Drake, Bradley , Koroznikova, Larissa , Tuck, Michael , Durkin, Steve
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration Vol. 37, no. 1 (2020), p. 219-229
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper presents the results from the investigation of the application of thermal fragmentation in Australian hard rock underground narrow-vein mining. Two geologically similar samples from an underground narrow-vein hard rock gold mine were collected to obtain a measure of the technology’s ability to recover ore by the creation of large thermal openings to assess the applicability of the thermal method. Particle size distribution showed a higher generation of fine product, − 2 mm, by thermal fragmentation compared with selective blasting by 31%. The Bond work index for thermal ore (12.62 kWh/t) is half to that of the blasted ore value (25.32 kWh/t). The average grindability obtained for the thermal ore sample was greater than the blasted sample by a factor of 2.44, a higher value indicating a decrease in the energy required to grind. The thermal fragmentation method generates product with higher dissolution of gold in cyanide, by 14% for the − 9.5 + 2 mm size fraction samples. Additionally, the thermal fragmentation results in higher production of − 9.5 + 2 mm material by 15 % compared with selective blasting. © 2019, Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Inc.
- Authors: Drake, Bradley , Koroznikova, Larissa , Tuck, Michael , Durkin, Steve
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration Vol. 37, no. 1 (2020), p. 219-229
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper presents the results from the investigation of the application of thermal fragmentation in Australian hard rock underground narrow-vein mining. Two geologically similar samples from an underground narrow-vein hard rock gold mine were collected to obtain a measure of the technology’s ability to recover ore by the creation of large thermal openings to assess the applicability of the thermal method. Particle size distribution showed a higher generation of fine product, − 2 mm, by thermal fragmentation compared with selective blasting by 31%. The Bond work index for thermal ore (12.62 kWh/t) is half to that of the blasted ore value (25.32 kWh/t). The average grindability obtained for the thermal ore sample was greater than the blasted sample by a factor of 2.44, a higher value indicating a decrease in the energy required to grind. The thermal fragmentation method generates product with higher dissolution of gold in cyanide, by 14% for the − 9.5 + 2 mm size fraction samples. Additionally, the thermal fragmentation results in higher production of − 9.5 + 2 mm material by 15 % compared with selective blasting. © 2019, Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Inc.
Thermal fragmentation as a possible, viable, alternative mining method in narrow vein mining?
- Bouwmeester, Patrick, Tuck, Michael, Koroznikova, Larissa, Durkin, Steve
- Authors: Bouwmeester, Patrick , Tuck, Michael , Koroznikova, Larissa , Durkin, Steve
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration Vol. 37, no. 2 (2020), p. 605-618
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: In currently used mining methods, blasting techniques often causes dilution of valuable ore and results in costly processing requirements. In the context of narrow vein mining of thin and highly concentrated orebodies there is a need of a mining method that can reduce dilution in order to remain economically viable. This research project explored the viability of a new mining technology, thermal fragmentation, in narrow vein mining. Thermal fragmentation technology uses a flame jet to produce extreme heat that spalls the surrounding rock to a strategically located drill hole, as an alternative to traditional blasting. This paper creates a net present value (NPV) model of a mining method using thermal fragmentation, as well as for an existing method used for narrow vein mining; comparisons and evaluations were made regarding the feasibility of the new technology. It was found that while overall costs for thermal fragmentation were relatively high, reductions in wages, haulage and processing costs, as well as increased productivity and ore recovery, meant that the new method would improve the financial performance of any operation. These results identify that there is an opportunity to introduce the thermal fragmentation technology to narrow vein mines within Australia, in order to lower costs and increase profit. © 2019, Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Inc.
- Authors: Bouwmeester, Patrick , Tuck, Michael , Koroznikova, Larissa , Durkin, Steve
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration Vol. 37, no. 2 (2020), p. 605-618
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: In currently used mining methods, blasting techniques often causes dilution of valuable ore and results in costly processing requirements. In the context of narrow vein mining of thin and highly concentrated orebodies there is a need of a mining method that can reduce dilution in order to remain economically viable. This research project explored the viability of a new mining technology, thermal fragmentation, in narrow vein mining. Thermal fragmentation technology uses a flame jet to produce extreme heat that spalls the surrounding rock to a strategically located drill hole, as an alternative to traditional blasting. This paper creates a net present value (NPV) model of a mining method using thermal fragmentation, as well as for an existing method used for narrow vein mining; comparisons and evaluations were made regarding the feasibility of the new technology. It was found that while overall costs for thermal fragmentation were relatively high, reductions in wages, haulage and processing costs, as well as increased productivity and ore recovery, meant that the new method would improve the financial performance of any operation. These results identify that there is an opportunity to introduce the thermal fragmentation technology to narrow vein mines within Australia, in order to lower costs and increase profit. © 2019, Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Inc.
- «
- ‹
- 1
- ›
- »