all abstract symposium

7/21/2019 All Abstract Symposium

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Economics and Markets

SYMPOSIUM: 01 ECONOMICS AND MARKETS

COD AUTHOR TITLE ABSTRACTEM01 Jorge Valverde PROJECTING LONG-TERM PRICE OF COPPEREM02 Carlos Barros THE IMPACT OF CAPEX IN MINING PROJECT

EVALUATION: A NEW PARADIGM?

EM03 Patricio Meller ANALYSIS OF CHILEAN ECONOMIC ANDDEVELOPMENT PERFORMANCE FROM THE COPPERPERSPECTIVE

EM04 Rene Silva FINANCIAL BARTERING, BY EREDDOLLAR.COMEM05 Jose Cabello COPPER EXPLORATION AND MINING

DEVELOPMENT IN CHILE: A FORTY YEARS REVIEW

EM07 Patricio PerezOportus WHY DO MINING COMPANIES SUBCONTRACT INCHILE?EM08 Carlos Risopatron ICSG GLOBAL COPPER MARKET RESEARCH IN 2007-

2012: LESSONS LEARNED AND CHALLENGES FORTHE FUTURE

EM09 Edmundo Tulcanaza MINERAL RESOURCES, RESERVES, AND THE IFRSEM10 A.I. Ramirez LOOKING FOR METALLURGICAL SOLUTIONS TO

OPEX AND CAPEX INCREASE IN COPPER PROJECTS

EM11 A.I. Ramirez CAPITAL EFFECTIVENESS AS OBJECTIVE OF THEMINING PROJECT DESIGN

EM12 Chris Du Plessis TECHNOLOGY LEVERAGING OPPORTUNITIES FOR

IMPROVING THE ECONOMICS OF LOW GRADECOPPER DEPOSITS

EM13 Ricardo Torres QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF FOUR RISKS FACINGCHILEAN MINING PROJECTS

EM14 Manuel Viera MINING ASSET VALUATION BY REAL OPTIONS FORRISKY AND UNCERTAINTY SCENARIOS.

EM15 Pr. Levenson ENGINEERING A SAFER WORLD, 2011EM16 R.D. Hunt ASSESSMENT OF MULTIPLE MINE CONCEPTS

USING LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS AND DIVERSECRITERIA

EM17 AlexanderLeibbrandt COPPER PRODUCTION IN CHILE: A LOOK TO THEPAST AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES


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EM01

PROJECTING LONG-TERM PRICE OF COPPER

Jorge Valverde Carbonell

Strategies and Public Policy Analyst

Copper Chilean Commission

ABSTRACT

This paper analyses the copper market structure by modeling the observed dynamics

seen on the side of supply, demand and stocks, to thereby obtain a copper price projection

based on its fundamentals. The transition from the theoretical model to the empirical model

is performed through the reduced form of the structural system, obtaining long term

parameters by the estimation of the cointegration equation, discarding the spurious

relationship between variables.

First, based on the independent projection of the explanatory variables, we

forecasted a copper real price up to 2020, where it evidences a negative trend with an initial

value of US$354 c/lb for 2013 and US$302 c/lb for 2020.

Similarly, but based on an appreciative analysis of the copper market which

includes the study of super-cycles of copper prices, the behavior of production costs over

the past decades and the prospects for global growth of sustained copper demand in China

and structural changes in emerging countries, we estimate a long-term copper price with a

basis of US$2.2 c/lb and an expected value of US$2.67 c/lb.


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EM02

THE IMPACT OF CAPEX IN MINING PROJECT EVALUATION: A NEWPARADIGM?

Carlos Barros, Carlos Deck, Juan Ignacio Guzmn

ABSTRACT

OPEX used to be the most critical variable for copper projects until the early 2000s,and it was the main factor for discriminating between good and bad projects. With everdecreasing ore grades worldwide, nowadays most copper projects have similar quality oredeposits and, since a projects OPEX is highly dependent on the deposits quality, a large

number of projects have now very similar OPEX.

This is reflected in the flattening of the cash cost curve, which shows that projects inthe second and third quartiles are much more similar now than they used to be a decade ormore ago. In this new scenario, differences in the projects CAPEX become much morerelevant in their evaluation. This phenomenon, coupled with large recent increases in manycopper projects CAPEX and their resulting financing problems, have lately put manyprojects on hold for reevaluation.

This paper discusses the increased importance of CAPEX in project evaluation, thestructural and cyclical reasons of the recent CAPEX increases, and some evaluationconsiderations that mining companies should account for. With the new CAPEX paradigmlooming over current copper projects, it is clear that mining companies should evaluateprojects differently by incorporating more sophisticated tools.


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EM03

ANALYSIS OF CHILEAN ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT PERFORMANCEFROM THE COPPER PERSPECTIVE

Patricio Meller

ABSTRACT

Chile has comparative advantage in copper; mining is the main economic sector.

Copper affects the Chilean economy through different mechanisms. This influence has

increased from 1990 up to the present. In 1990 copper exports were less than US$4 billion;

in recent years Chilean copper exports have increased to (around) US$45 billion. Copperrepresents now 20% of GDP.

In this paper we examine the role of copper upon the Chilean macroeconomy

(copper is the main mechanism in the generation of foreign exchange, copper is the second

main source of fiscal revenues, and it is the main factor behind the successful

implementation of equilibrium macro policies). There will be an intersectorial comparison

related to investment, capital, labor productivity and fiscal taxation of Chilean main

economic activities. Moreover, we will analyze the role of copper in economic growth and

its fundamental position in the strategy of development. In this respect we will criticize the

natural resources curse hypothesis.

In short, the outcome of this paper is that copper has been a fundamental factor in

Chilean present successful economic achievements.


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EM04FINANCIAL BARTERING, BY EREDDOLLAR.COM

Ren Silva

CEO eRedDollar.com Latin America

ABSTRACT

The eNetDollar Corporation, founded in Palo Alto, California, presents arevolutionary financial product for the worldwide mining industry:www.eRedDollar.com

Factoring and leasing were ground-breaking innovations from the financial industry, nowthe mining industry must meet Financial Bartering.

Structuring Financial Bartering operations througheRedDollar.comwill allow the miningindustry to become more efficient, reducing costs and improving customer-supplierrelationships, thus increasing its profitability as whole.

Since a Financial Bartering operation is a big challenge to any single mining company,eRedDollar.comwill allow them to coordinate their Finance, Purchases, SuppliesProcurement and Asset Sales areas to achieve company wide profitability and leverage acomprehensive online mining supplier network.

Basic Concepts:

Financial Bartering Accounts Recievable Derivates Forward Contract Private circulation currency for the world Mining industry.

Problems eRedDollar.com solves for Mining Companies:

Low profitability or financial losses in used and residual fixed asset sales Transform difficult to liquidate fixed assets into cash or equivalent commodity for

purchases.

Member Supplier Benefits:

Increased Sales Customer Loyalty Competition entry barriers Reduced marketing and sales budget

eRedDollar.com provides the mining industry a win-win solution for all participantsinvolved. Currently in pilot phase in Chile and launches officially in Exponor 2013.
http://www.ereddollar.com/http://www.ereddollar.com/http://www.ereddollar.com/http://www.ereddollar.com/http://www.ereddollar.com/http://www.ereddollar.com/http://www.ereddollar.com/http://www.ereddollar.com/http://www.ereddollar.com/http://www.ereddollar.com/http://www.ereddollar.com/


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EM05

COPPER EXPLORATION AND MINING DEVELOPMENT IN CHILE:A FORTY YEARS REVIEW.

Jos CabelloMineralium Consulting Group

ABSTRACT

The most important country for both current copper production and future growth inthe global mining industry is Chile.

In 2001 Chile produced 5,262,800 t of fine copper. This corresponds to 32.4% ofworld production.

Over the last decade mining production of copper increased by 17%. And duringthis decade, copper production is expected to growth in another 29%. Several facts explainthis large increase in copper production, with a key one being the success of explorationover the last forty years. This resulted in the discovery of several worldclass copperdeposits which when developed into mines, account for much of the production increases.

This review summarizes the successes of basic exploration carried out during thelast four decades in Chile. The analysis is based on data published in different specializedmining books or magazines. It mainly includes those discoveries important at a world orregional scale, not the lesser discoveries important at the local scale. The economic impactof these discoveries is presented here regarding the value of the mineral resourcesidentified, the investments and metals production generated.


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EM07

WHY DO MINING COMPANIES SUBCONTRACT IN CHILE?

Patricio Prez Oportus Pablo Villalobos DintransEconomista Economista

Universidad de Valparaso

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

The available data indicate that the phenomenon of subcontracting has gained force

among companies and has characterized the evolution of the job market in Chile in recent

years. Mining is not immune to this phenomenon. In the mid-90s, there were 0.68 contract

workers per own worker, while a decade later the ratio is nearly two contract workers per

own worker. This paper analyzes the causes behind subcontracting in copper mining in

Chile. Panel data for 18 mines are used from the period 2003-2012. It is concluded that

prices, cost pressures and the size of the plant are important in explaining the levels of

subcontracting.


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EM08

ICSG GLOBAL COPPER MARKET RESEARCH IN 2007-2012: LESSONS

LEARNED AND CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURESusanna Keung and Carlos Risopatron

International Copper Study Group

ABSTRACT

This study covers a review and analysis of the main findings of the research projectsdeveloped by ICSG in the last six years, including an analysis of the statistics on copperproduction, trade, use and stocks in 2007-2012. A discussion on the trends observed in

industrial use, demand, production and capacity of copper across the value chain ispresented, looking to identify bottlenecks to be faced downstream and upstream the copperindustry in recent years and in the future. Lessons learned and challenges to improvepublicly available information on market transparency of the global copper market areidentified.


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EM09

MINERAL RESOURCES, RESERVES, AND THE IFRS

Fermn Cceres (IDN), Leonardo Torres (KPMG)Alberto Salas (SONAMI), Edmundo Tulcanaza (Centromin Chile)

ABSTRACT

In recent years, financial information sustained by transparent, competitive, and

material technical data regarding mineral resources, reserves, and assets has becomerelevant for the entire mining industries but especially for medium size companies inemerging markets.

Even though the copper industry in Chile is one of high standards for decades,Chilean mining companies have not yet adopted, entirely, the International AccountingStandards and the International Financial Reporting Standards (IAS/IFRS). Theseaccounting bodies will transversally impact the mining industry no matter the size of acompany.

The IASB (International Accounting Standards Board) has already issued IFRS 6which establishes the directions for accounting entries in the Exploration and Evaluationof Mineral Resources phase. At the same time, the IFRIC has issued the IFRIC 20 on theMine Stripping Costs interpretations.

A complete standard for the entire chain of value of a mining project is stillpending. With the support of CRIRSCO, other national organizations, and institutionsassociated with the international mining industry there have been improvements in thistask.

Using Chile as a case study, the objective of this paper is to make an assessment ofthe relevant accounting information included in the IASB/IFRS rules as applied to theinternational companies in the copper emerging markets. The paper deals with thefundamental aspects of these new financial standards, their expected impacts in the miningindustry, and the configuration of a reasonable and practical optional policy.


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EM10

LOOKING FOR METALLURGICLA SOLUTIONS TO OPEX AND CAPEXINCREASE IN COPPER PROJECTS

A.I. Ramirez, L. Carrion, C. Cancino y F. CastilloSinclair Knight Merz (Chile)

ABSTRACT

The copper industry is facing a detention of projects due to the increase in the CapitalExpenditure (CAPEX) and Operations Expenditure (OPEX) they demand. On the other

hand, the copper demand continues to grow and it does not show signs of slowing down.Coupled with this is the need to ensure the production of minerals that the U.S. governmentagencies have classified as strategic for a "green future" in the developed world anddeveloping countries.

Performing a quick chemical analyses of the chilean copper industry tailings, one canfind that these strategic elements are present in interesting cut off grades within theirscarcity context, and have already paid their highest unit processes price (comminution);but currently are qualified only as environmental liabilities. In addition, there are maturetechnologies available on the market that could be feasibly diagrammed to concentrateand/or dissolve them to become commercial products and by mean of by-products

aggregate value to the core business.This paper reviews the opportunities that break the paradigm of "our business is

producing copper and all the rest is for super-specialists" and that improve the effectivenessof the invested capital, adding only a delta of CAPEX and OPEX, improving revenue sales.


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EM11

CAPITAL EFFECTIVENESS AS OBJECTIVE OF THE MINING PROJECTDESIGN

A.I. Ramirez, F. Reyes y R.F. DewhirstSinclair Knight Merz (Chile)

ABSTRACT

Everyone in the mining business agrees with the diagnosis of the current scenario andthe short-term forecast increasing raw materials cost, lowering cut off grades, etc, but

they still insist on the implementation of the current paradigms expecting different andbetter technical and economic results of the projects. The application of these paradigmsoccurs without questioning or re-evaluation, but it continues to limit the degrees of freedomof the models that are used for the definition, study, design and implementation of projects,especially if such application is made without discriminating origin and the impact of theseparadigms.

This document reviews and discusses the current paradigms applied to the coppermining industry and their impact on the effectiveness of capital invested in a project,defined as "the CAPEX That Fits the Purpose", meaning the capital spending required toproduce a commercial product of the quality demanded by the market but complying with

the Business Model (Business Case) that is restricted by technical and economic feasibilitymetallurgical extraction of valuable species contained in the mineable reserves of a project.


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EM12

TECHNOLOGY LEVERAGING OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVING THE

ECONOMICS OF LOW GRADE COPPER DEPOSITS

C.A. du Plessis, C.Ward and J. CucuzzaAMIRA INTERNATIONAL

Level 2,271 William Street,

Melbourne,VIC 3000,Australia

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

The exploration pursuit of high grade deposits (typically >0.5% Cu) also results inan increasing inventory of known deposits of sub-economic grades. Importantly, economicviability is dependent upon the available processing options and economic parametersimposed by the use of such methods. Current processing options are limited to eitherconcentrate production or leaching and have not fundamentally changed for severaldecades. The exponential increase in comminution power, per unit of contained copper,generally precludes economic concentrate production from ore with grades below 0.5% Cu.In some instances, low grade ore is economically treatable via heap leaching methods,where the mining costs are carried by higher grade ore.

Heap leaching economics are, however, challenged by the presence of high acidconsuming gangue minerals, poor hydraulic control of heap leach solutions, and coppermineralization occurring as refractory primary sulfide. Technical and economic viability ofin-situ leaching is limited to a very small number of high grade oxide copper deposits inhighly fractured and relatively porous deposits. A number of significant technologyadvances in non-mineral industries may provide opportunities for economic step-changes tocopper project developments. Such technologies range from rock fracturing and solutioncontainment technology developed in the petroleum industry, to drug deliverymethodologies developed in the pharmaceutical industry. This article explores the impactof such step-change technology opportunities on copper ore deposit economics.


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EM13

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF FOUR RISKS FACING CHILEAN MINING

PROJECTS

Ricardo Torres S. y Fredy Varas V.

ABSTRACT

Investment projects are the most important source of growth of a country, without

which it is not possible to improve the living standard of its society. In this context, theChilean mining investment projects, particularly copper, are ahead, for several reasons: thehigh grade of the deposits; big volumes of metal available; topographical advantages thatresult in lower production costs; availability of a well qualified human resource base;political tranquility; and clear and stable legal and tax rules.

However, on the Chilean mining scenario have become more important new riskevents involving environmental and social matters. They are: a) future shortage of skilledmining human resources, b) uncertainties associated with power supplies, c) uncertaintiesassociated with environmental permits and d) lack of industrial water for ore processing.These risks are reaffirmed each other making difficult to quantify needs and so generate

delivery strategies.

From a technical economic model built on a platform stochastic, in this paper weinvestigate the potential impact on the profitability of a mining project caused by the risksmentioned above.


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EM14

VALORACIN DE ACTIVOS MINEROS POR OPCIONES REALES EN

ESCENARIOS DE RIESGOS E INCERTIDUMBRE.

Phd Manuel Viera Flores Senior Mining EngineeringCEO Metaprojetc Ingeniera e Innovacin

Dr. Carlos Charln 1521, Providencia Santiago [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Opciones Reales, es la tcnica que acerca las finanzas a la estrategia y al modelo denegocios, ayudando a los directivos, ejecutivos, consultores de empresas, empresarios,banqueros, ingenieros de minas, gelogos de proyectos, que se desenvuelven en la prcticade la evaluacin de proyectos de inversin y valoracin de activos y empresas mineras aexplicitar cual es la mejor decisin y cuando es el mejor momento para ejercitarla, haciendoque el riesgo trabaje a favor del negocio y no en contra.

Opciones Reales, provee los mecanismos de Financiamiento, Valoracin y Tasacinde Activos Mineros, tratamiento del Riesgo y la incertidumbre y de cmo se calcula el

valor del activo para su venta a travs de herramientas avanzadas, como es la Simulacin deMontecarlo o Hipercubo Latino con Reversin a la Media con Saltos Aleatorios y el Valoren Riesgo VAR (Value at Risk).

La Valoracin de Activos Mineros por Opciones Reales, junto al Anlisis de Riesgoes la mejor herramienta para valorar activos mineros bajo Riesgo e Incertidumbres, comoapoyo a las decisiones estratgicas de comprar o vender un Activo, hacer o no hacer unproyecto minero, y sus flexibilidades operacionales como expandir, paralizar, posponer,cerrar o abandonar un proyecto minero.

Se muestran casos reales y exitosos evaluados por esta metodologa.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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EM15

ENGINEERING A SAFER WORLD, 2011

Nancy G. LevesonProfessor of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Engineering Systems at MIT

ABSTRACT

Engineering has experienced a technological revolution, but the basicengineering techniques applied in safety and reliability engineering, created in asimpler, analog world, have changed very little over the years. In thisgroundbreaking book, Nancy Leveson proposes a new approach to safety--moresuited to todays complex, sociotechnical, software-intensive world--based onmodern systems thinking and systems theory. Revisiting and updating ideaspioneered by 1950s aerospace engineers in their System Safety concept, and testingher new model extensively on real-world examples, Leveson has created a newapproach to safety that is more effective, less expensive, and easier to use thancurrent techniques.

Arguing that traditional models of causality are inadequate, Levesonpresents a new, extended model of causation (Systems-Theoretic Accident Modeland Processes, or STAMP), then shows how the new model can be used to createtechniques for system safety engineering, including accident analysis, hazardanalysis, system design, safety in operations, and management of safety-criticalsystems. She applies the new techniques to real-world events including the friendly-fire loss of a U.S. Blackhawk helicopter in the first Gulf War; the Vioxx recall; theU.S. Navy SUBSAFE program; and the bacterial contamination of a public watersupply in a Canadian town. Levesons approach is relevant even beyond safetyengineering, offering techniques for reengineering any large sociotechnicalsystem to improve safety and manage risk.


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EM16

ASSESSMENT OF MULTIPLE MINE CONCEPTS USING LIFE CYCLEANALYSIS AND DIVERSE CRITERIA

R.D. HuntWorleyParsons

Av. Apoquindo 4501, Piso 15Las Condes, Santiago, Chile

[email protected]

M. Marinovic and W. FunkWorleyParsons

Calgary, [email protected]

ABSTRACT

This paper outlines a novel approach for the identification, framing, and assessmentof conceptual mine options that are acceptable according to economic and socio-environmental criteria. This method was applied to a base metals mine being developed in ahigh altitude, harsh environment. The concept options were subject to a variety of technicalchallenges as well as non-technical risks all of which have the ability to strongly affect theproject outcomes. Through the comparison of diverse options according to complex criteriaand considering diverse risks, an optimal concept and strategic measures were identified.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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EM17

COPPER PRODUCTION IN CHILE: A LOOK TO THE PAST AND FUTUREPERSPECTIVES

Alexander Leibbrandt von NeefeCodelco Chile

Hurfanos 1270, Santiago, [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Copper processing in America started with the Andean cultures of the current Peru.Since 2000 BC it is possible to prove copper was used in utensils; and as it happened inother continents, there was a slow dissemination of metallurgical experiences to the Northand South (Fig. 1). Naturally, it took more than 1000 years to have copper also produced inthe north of Chile, that is, in the zone near San Pedro de Atacama. From that momentonward, copper production in the Chilean Andes was expanded and continuouslyconsolidated until transforming that region into the largest world supplier of this noblemetal during the last two centuries, taking advantage of what nature gave to the Los Andes

Mountain Range, with nearly 40% of the worlds copper reserves. Hence, its no surprise tosee that Chile has nearly 35% of the share of the world`s copper mining production.

This geological feature positioned Atacama Desert as copper generator long beforethe discovery of America. During the colonial period it supplied the South AmericanSpanish colonies with copper and crowned Chile as the largest copper producer after itsIndependence in mid XIX century. This fact also resulted in the development of the Chileanmining industry, which is the essential pillar of the countrys economy. Therefore, thecontribution of the Chilean Mining sector to the countrys development can be compared tothe influence of the German Mining Industry to the development of Central Europe thatstarted in the Middle Age.


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Mineral Processing

SYMPOSIUM: 02 MINERAL PROCESSING

COD AUTHOR TITLE ABSTRACT

MP01 Lorenzo Reyes USE OF BIOSOLIDS AND ITS MAIN COMPONENTS ASFROTH FLOTATION REAGENTS FOR THE CONCENTRATION

OFF COPPER SULPHIDE OREMP02 Winston Rocher THE EVOLUTION OF MILL RELINING TECHNOLOGY

MP03 Luis Vinnett GAS DISPERSION MEASUREMENTS IN INDUSTRIALFLOTATION EQUIPMENT

MP04 Carlos Rabanal EMPIRICAL CORRELATION FOR ESTIMATING GRINDINGMEDIA CONSUMPTION

MP05 Ursula Kelm CHARACTERIZATION OF COPPER CLAYS ANDGEOMETALLURGICAL IMPLICATIONS

MP07 R. Fuentes PROGRESS MADE IN PILOT AND LABORATORYTHICKENING STUDY

MP08 N. Rojas EFFECT OF FINES CONTENT ON YIELD STRESS OF COPPERTAILINGS

MP09 Shigeto Kuroiwa STUDY ON SEPARATION OF ARSENIC FROM COPPER

CONCENTRATEMP10 Lina Maria Chica MECHANICAL ENERGY BALANCE IN HYDROCYCLONE

MP11 Sergio Arellano TECHNICAL EVALUATION OF THE REPLACEMENT OFCONVENTIONAL FLOTATION CELLS BY FLOTATIONCELLS PNEUMATIC IN THE BENEFIT OF COPPER ORES

MP12 C. Muoz THE EFFECT OF THE QUALITY OF THE MAINTANCEWORKS OF THE FLOTATION CELLS ON AIR DISPERSINPROPERTIES AND FLOTATION PERFORMANCE

MP13 T. Wisdom NEXT GENERATION PRESSURE FILTERS FOR HARD ROCKTAILINGS

MP15 Yue Hua Tan SURFACTANT STRUCTURE - PROPERTY RELATIONSHIP:EFFECT OF POLYPROPYLENE GLYCOL ETHERS ONBUBBLE RISE VELOCITY

MP16 Francisco Abbott SEAWATER USE IN ANTOFAGASTA MINING GROUPMP17 D. Garcia ANTAPACCAY - TINTAYA EXPANSION

MP18 E.Visariev GRINDING CYCLE OPTIMIZATION FOR PROCESSING OFCOPPER SLAG AT AURUBIS BULGARIA

MP19 V. Murariu IMPROVED DEM MODEL FOR PREDICTING CONECRUSHERS' PERFORMANCE

MP20 L. Valderrama PYRITE CONCENTRATE OBTAINED FROM COPPERTAILINGS

MP21 Montes-Atenas, G INSIGHTS ON PYRITE ACTIVATION IN COPPER-IRONBEARING SULPHIDE ORE FROTH FLOTATION:LABORATORY VS PLANT RESULTS

MP22 S. Castro THE EFFECT OF FLOCCULANTS AND THEIRDEGRADATION PRODUCTS ON MOLYBDENITEFLOTATION

MP23 Guillermo Maturana TWO DIMENSIONAL STOCKPILES PHENOMENOLOGICALMODELATION

MP24 Fernando Pino ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF BROWNFIELDPROJECTS

MP26 C.O. Gomez FROTHER ROLES CHARACTERIZATION IN A LABORATORYFLOTATION CELL

MP28 David Meadows SAG MILL DISCHARGE SECTION OPTIMIZATION STUDIES


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Mineral Processing

AND REDESIGN

MP29 Felipe Henriquez INSTALLATION OF INTERNAL LAUNDERS ON 130 MFLOTATION CELLS AT MINERA LOS PELAMBRES

MP30 H. Nematollahi CONCENTRATION OF COPPER OXIDE MINERAL WITHHYDROXAMATE

MP31 Christopher J Greet GRINDING CHEMISTRY - THE APPLICATION OF GRINDINGMEDIA TO IMPROVE METALLURGICAL RESPONSE OFCOPPER ORES

MP32 Zanin Massimiliano AMIRA P260 SILVER JUBILEE - 25 YEARS OF BENEFITS TOMINERALS FLOTATION

MP33 Jose Davila NASH IN THE OPTIMIZATION OF COPPER FLOTATIONCONCENTRATOR CUAJONE

MP34 Vishal Gupta A REVIEW OF BENEFICIATION SCHEME FOR COPPER-ARSENIC ORE DEPOSITS

MP35 O. Angulo PREVENTING COPPER LOSS PRODUCTION AND FLOWPROBLEMS BY MEASURING THE MATERIALS FLOWPROPERTIES

MP36 Mira Bissengaliyeva THERMODYNAMIC CONSTANTS OF MINERALS OF THE

OXIDATION ZONE OF COPPER - ANTLERITE ANDPSEUDOMALACHITE

MP38 Rene Del Villar RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN FLOTATION COLUMNINSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL

MP39 Raul Jara Iturre OPTIMIZACIN METALRGICA DE UN MINERAL DECOBRE CON ALTA DISEMINACIN Y DUREZA

MP40 David Gwyther MARINE TAILINGS PLACEMENT: EXPERIENCES ANDLESSONS FROM THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION

MP41 C.O. Gomez MODELLING BUBBLE HYDRODYNAMICS IN FLOTATION

MP42 G. Debernardi PRIMARY CRITERIA FOR PRESSURE COPPER LEACHINGPROCESS SELECTION

MP45 Jorge M. Menachoand Juan Rodrguez

MODELLING BUBBLES GOING THROUGH FLOTATIONCELLS

MP48 Jorge M. Menacho REMOTE SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE PROCESS RESULTS ATCONCENTRATOR PLANTS


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Mineral Processing

MP01

USE OF BIOSOLIDS AND ITS MAIN COMPONENTS AS FROTH FLOTATIONREAGENTS FOR THE CONCENTRATION OF COPPER SULPHIDE ORE

Lorenzo Reyes-Bozo

Departamento de Ciencias de la Ingeniera, Facultad de Ingeniera, Universidad Andres

Bello.

Alex Godoy-Fandez

Facultad de Ingeniera, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile.

Jose Luis Salazar, Hctor Valds-Gonzlez, Eduardo Vyhmeister

Escuela de Industrias, Facultad de Ingeniera, Universidad Andres Bello.

Ronaldo Herrera-Urbina

Departamento de Ingeniera Qumica y Metalurgia, Universidad de Sonora, Hermosillo,

Sonora, Mxico.

ABSTRACT

According to achieve a sustainable development, Chilean mining industry needs toembrace the best practices to its sustainable growth as engine developments. Relationshipsbetween mining industry and society have been historically complex due to itsenvironmental impacts. Whereas the ore grade has declined continuously, this has involvedan intensive energy and water consumption correlated to operational costs at differentstages of process. Indeed, the amount of organic chemical reagents used in froth flotation ofcopper sulphide ores has a big impact on production costs as well as a huge effect on theenvironment. In this research was evaluated, via standard methodologies at laboratoryscale, the use of biosolids and its main components (i.e., humic substances) as frothflotation reagents for sulphide ore concentration. These substances interact throughphysical and chemical ways due to differential affinities to mineralogical species such aschalcopyrite and pyrite. Aqueous solutions prepared with biosolids show good frothingcharacteristics whereas humic acid was found to act as collector for the concentration of acopper sulphide ore. Therefore, biosolids and its main components may open anopportunity to be used in copper sulphide flotation plants to partially replace conventionalreagents, which are more hazardous and less environment-friendly.


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Mineral Processing

MP02

THE EVOLUTION OF MILL RELINING TECHNOLOGY

Winston Rocher

ABSTRACT

Over the past fifty years, technology has advanced quicker than in any other timeand this has impacted greatly on peoples lives, on the equipment and at work.

The small grinding mills had an entry in the mill feed end for the spout feeder thatdidn't allow the entry of a person. The discharge of many of them had grates and the onlyway for people, liners and tools to get into them was via the manhole. The liners wereinstalled manually with brute force, using tools like chain blocks, rope and chains,extending mills shutdown for many hours and increasing the risk of accidents.

The increased size of mills and the high prices for metals means equipmentdesigners and mining companies need to work constantly to surpass their mechanisedtechnology, the quality of the materials and their components, increasing their capacity, bymaking them faster, more accurate and safer. In addition, the operators are working morestrategically. The result has been a significant decrease of relining time and an increase inoperator's safety.


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Mineral Processing

MP03

GAS DISPERSION MEASUREMENTS IN INDUSTRIAL FLOTATIONEQUIPMENT

Luis Vinnett, Juan Yianatos

ABSTRACT

An extensive database of Sauter mean bubble diameters, D32

, and superficial gas

rates, JG, measured in different industrial flotation plants, is presented. Results involved

mechanical flotation cells of 10 300 m3 from Rougher, Cleaner and Scavenger circuits

and columns from Cleaner circuits. A significant effect of superficial gas rate on bubble

diameter was observed in mechanical cells with different bubble generation mechanisms,

cell design (self-aerated or forced air) and under different operating conditions (frother

dosage, impeller speed). This result implies a dominant effect of the superficial gas rate on

the gas dispersion. Also, higher D32values were observed in flotation columns because of

the bubble sparger system and mainly due to lack of maintenance. From the D 32 and JG

values, the bubble surface area flux, SB, was evaluated in order to determine normal

operating conditions. The gas dispersion database is useful to select proper operating

conditions and to define control criteria in flotation circuits.


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Mineral Processing

MP04

EMPIRICAL CORRELATION FOR ESTIMATING GRINDING MEDIACONSUMPTION

Carlos Rabanal

Moly-Cop Adesur S.A.

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

The concern regarding grinding media wear is as old as the invention of thetumbling mills. Over the years many materials and grinding media shapes have been tested,through all this, steel grinding balls have proved to be the most effective media forcomminution in tumbling mills.

In the same way, no accurate technique for estimating the wear of the ball chargehas been developed. The mining industry still utilizes the Bond Abrasion test that wasdeveloped in the 60s, this test is based in the ore properties having an error higher than60%.

Lately in 2007, Radziszewski proposed a decouple total grinding media wear model,this model is based in decoupling the effect of abrasion, corrosion and impact wearmechanism, this new decoupled model gets an error of +/- 17% which is an improvement incomparison to Bond model, but still shows high degree of error.

Also In 2007, Benavente from Moly-Cop Group presented an empiric model basedin operational conditions that affect wear mechanism. This new model shows an averageerror of +/- 10% which represent a higher improvement in comparison with other models.

This paper present the research developed by Moly-Cop in order to improve thecapability of the empiric model developed by Benavente to estimated grinding media wear.The work performed includes extensive determination of Bond Abrasion Index for differentkind of ores, operational information from concentrators and statistical analysis todetermine the more significant variables over the wear.

The result of the research let us to build a more robust and confident model toestimate grinding media wear rate. The average error of this new model was in order of +/-5.0% which means a higher improvement over the models previously described.


24/467

MineralProcessing

MP05

CHARACTERIZATION OF COPPER CLAYS AND GEOMETALLURGICALIMPLICATIONS

Ursula Kelm, Oscar Jerez, Sonia Helle, Marcos PincheiraInstituto de Geologa Econmica Aplicada, Universidad de Concepcin, Chile

ABSTRACT

Copper clays are a common mapping term to describe parts of argillic and advancedargillic alterations associated with Andean type copper deposits. They are very fine grainedmaterials with a bluish hue, which may or not expand when humidified. These copperclays accompany chrysocolla, atacamite and secondary sulphide mineralization. Copperclays have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, Qemscan, Transmission Electron

Microscopy and complemented by determination of cation exchange capacity.Observations are contrasted with literature data on (1) the attempts of synthesis of Cu-phyllosilicates, (2) the modification of phyllosilicates with Cu bearing molecules forcatalysis and (3) larger than clay-size phyllosilicates incorporating Cu phases betweenindividual sheets. For the studied copper clays, discrete copper phases were found to beintercalated between individual phyllosilicate layers on a nanometric scale. For acidextraction of Cu from these combined clay and Cu phase aggregates, rock texture and acidstability of the phyllosilicate species are of fundamental importance.


25/467

Mineral Processing

MP07

PROGRESS MADE IN PILOT AND LABORATORY THICKENING STUDY

R. Fuentes, P. Garrido, T. Watt

Centro de Investigacin JRI S.A., Santiago, Chile

ABSTRACT

When designing thickeners, it is necessary to take into account the variety ofgeological units of different lithologies and alterations that may appear during the usefullife of the mine, especially during the first five years. Ignoring these aspects leads todifferent operational problems in industrial thickeners of copper tailings and concentrate,which are unable to comply with the overflow quality or the percentage of solids requiredin the output. On the other hand, precision in determining the thickener unit area has greatimpact on the thickener CAPEX.

Centro de Investigacin JRI S.A. (CdI-JRI) is developing a research line (I+D)oriented to studying thickening processes and whose main objective is focused on design.Standard measuring of geological attribute variability conducted in a laboratory is beingcontrasted with measuring carried out in batch and continuous pilot tests.

CdI-JRIhas designed and built two pilot columns for this purpose, 1 and 4 metershigh respectively, equipped with a rake and different feedwells. Both implemented columnsallowed Cdl-JRI to develop its own methodology for characterizing the thickening ofmining slurries in batch and continuous tests.

This paper presents the main results obtained: thickener unit area, concentrations ofsolids in underflow and overflow, the effect of the feedwell on the quality of the overflow,and the effect of the rake on the concentration of solids in the discharge.


26/467

Mineral Processing

MP08

EFFECT OF FINES CONTENT ON YIELD STRESS OF COPPER TAILINGS

N. Rojas.

Instituto de Minerales CIMEX, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medelln, Colombia.

P. Garrido.

Centro de Investigacin JRI S.A., Santiago, Chile

ABSTRACT

Thickening calculation and design, hydraulic transport of mine slurries, and finaldisposition of tailings are some of the areas in which a rheological characterizationcontaining at least viscosity and yield stress is indispensable.

These rheological parameters depend on a number of variables. Among others,concentration of solids, pH, particle size distribution, Zeta potential, and the reagents

eventually added. On the other hand, this rheology is intrinsic to each treated slurry, andvaries throughout the life of a mining operation mainly due to changes in the geologicalunits and/or modifications in operating conditions.

This paper studies the influence of particle- size distribution on the rheologicalcharacteristics of tailings. Three sizes known as fines are considered: material under mesh200 (74 micron), material under mesh 400 (37 micron), under mesh 500 (25 micron). Eachof these is incorporated into the original tailings at different percentages, generating tailingswith a new particle-size distribution, which are then rheologically characterized.

With these results we are able to conclude that the three sizes of fines that were

studied, especially the 37-micron size (under Tyler mesh 400), generate an increase in yieldstress, shifting the yield stress curves versus the percentage of solids towards the left. Thismay have a decisive impact on the thickening, transport and disposition of slurries.


27/467

Mineral Processing

MP09

STUDY ON SEPARATION OF ARSENIC FROM COPPER CONCENTRATE

Shigeto Kuroiwa, Daisuke Sato, Tatsuya lto, Misturu Sawada

Metallurgist, Niihama Research Laboratories, Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., LTD

Tsuyoshi Hlrajima

Professor, Department of Earth Resources Engineering, Faculty of engineering,

Kyushu University

ABSTRACT

Sumitomo Metal Mining Co.LTD, Niihama Research Laboratories (NRL) has beendeveloping Cu/As separation technology from chemical approach (investigating andoptimizing solid-liquid interfaces) and physical approach (studying the effect of flotationequipment).

lnfluence of oxidization on the contact angle of tennantite, chalcopyrite, bornite andpyrite was investigated. When the surface was not oxidized, tennantite indicated similarcontact angle to non-arsenical copper minerals, chalcopyrite and bornite. The contact angleof tennantite became smaller than that of the non-arsenical copper minerals when weakoxidization was applied.

Effect of physical parameters of flotation equipment on separability of arsenic wasalso investigated. Results agreed with proposed flotation models, however above mentionedeffect was small.


28/467

Mineral Processing

MP10

MECHANICAL ENERGY BALANCE IN HYDROCYCLONE

Lina Mara Chica, M. Oswaldo Bustamante

Cimex. Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Sede Medelln, Colombia.

Arturo Barrientos Ros

Dimet. Universidad de Concepcin, Chile.

ABSTRACT

This work shows experimental results from a mechanical energy balance for

hydrocyclones in only fluid operation, and a theoretical study of the mechanical energy

dissipation at underflow.

The main conclusions from this investigation reveal that discharge conditions areimportant in size separation efficiency and mechanical energy dissipation inside the body

controls hydrocyclone performance.

In this work, energy dissipation from the continua media approximation results in a

relevant concept to understand the hydrocyclone performance and improving industrial

installations.


29/467

Mineral Processing

MP11

TECHNICAL EVALUATION OF THE REPLACEMENT OF CONVENTIONALFLOTATION CELLS BY FLOTATION CELLS PNEUMATIC IN THE BENEFIT

OF COPPER ORES

Sergio Arellano G., Gonzalo Reyes M., Vctor Conejeros T.

Universidad Catlica del Norte

ABSTRACT

A company of the mining medium, located in the II Region of our country, requiresto increase the treatment capacity of the current plant. Long enough to make themodifications, settled into place 2 G-Cell 18 type pneumatic cells that replace 100% to theprimary circuit. The implementation of this type of cells relies mainly to the reduced spacethat they occupy and almost no structural alteration of what already exists, in addition,update the process to a technology that most recent flotation that could result inimprovements mainly metallurgic.

The general objective of this work, is to evaluate technically and economically theuse of pneumatic cells, type G-Cell in a primary circuit of copper concentration.

The methodology of work considered historical results of conventional circuit, aphysical, chemical and mineralogical characterization of minerals to evaluate, samplings ofworkflows to obtain data that will assist in the preparation of comparative balances oftechnical results and the economic assessment that will affect the final decision of whatmineral is that will benefit. Two types of sulfide minerals were evaluated: Sulfurado 1 andSulfurado 2.

The main conclusion, derived from the results, both technical and economic, isachieved by processing ore from the Sulfurado 2.


30/467

Mineral Processing

MP12

THE EFFECT OF THE QUALITY OF THE MAINTENANCE WORKS OF THEFLOTATION CELLS ON AIR DISPERSION PROPERTIES AND FLOTATION

PERFORMANCE

C. Muoz, C. J. Suazo, A. CandiaCompaa Minera Doa Ins de Collahuasi, Chile.

C. GomezMcgill University, Canada.

ABSTRACT

Air dispersion properties have a big impact on the metallurgical performance of

flotation. Air dispersion can be quantified in several ways, for example through bubble

mean diameter, bubble surface area flux, superficial gas velocity and gas holdup

measurements.

Additionaly the mechanical conditions of flotation cells have a big impact on the

hydrodynamics and then on the flotation performance. The quality of the maintenance

works within an concentrator plant may have a huge impact on the hydridynamics when

the original sizes of spare parts are changed and a good mechanical condition is not

provided.

The Collahuasis flotation circuit was characterize using air dispertion properties

and a kinectic survey. This work was perfomed before and after a complete overhaull of

the concentrator plant. Results are prersented in this work.


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Mineral Processing

It was found that a better air dispersion can be achieve when original sizes of spare

parts are used and a good mechanical conditions of the flotation cells is provided. Fine

liberated sulphide particles lost in tailings were reduce improving the copper and

molybdenum recoveries.


32/467

Mineral Processing

MP13

NEXT GENERATION PRESSURE FILTERS FOR HARD ROCK TAILINGS

T. Wisdom

ABSTRACT

The use of slurry impoundments have traditionally been the primary method ofdisposal of waste slurry resulting from the recovery of metals and minerals. However,

current difficulties in obtaining permits to build new impoundments for grass-roots plants,or as the existing ones near the end of their projected life, has made it necessary to exploreother alternatives for tailings disposal. Fresh water resources are becoming more precious,and environmental pressures are increasing leading to the elimination of slurry tailingsimpoundments.

It is becoming more prudent to consider filtration and dry stacking as a reasonableand sustainable alternative. There are several obstacles to filtration as a way to treat thesetailings. Many tailings slurries are difficult to filter and higher plant throughputs have inthe past made filtration operations both costly to buy and to operate.

But as with the equipment used to mine and move the harder lower grade ores,equipment to process the resulting tailings slurries have increased in size, efficiency, andcapacity to meet the demand, as well as to reduce the number of people needed to operatethem. This paper discusses the technical and financial considerations, OPEX and CAPEX,that influence equipment selection and optimization of the filter pressing system to producea satisfactory, transportable and stackable tailings product. Multiple tailings samples havebeen investigated incorporating lab and pilot scale testing. The impact of differentminerologies and grain size will be discussed.


33/467

Mineral processing

MP15

SURFACTANT STRUCTURE PROPERTY RELATIONSHIP:

EFFECT OF POLYPROPYLENE GLYCOL ETHERS ON BUBBLE RISEVELOCITY

Yue Hua Tan and James A. Finch

Department of mining and Materials Engineering, McGill University

ABSTRACT

The paper is part of our study of the frother structure-property relationship usingbubble rise velocity. Single bubble rise velocity profiles were determined in a 350 cmcolumn. Velocity at 300 cm as a function of concentration is used to estimate theconcentration to reach minimum velocity, CMV. The structure variables alkyl chain (n,number of carbons) and number of propylene oxide (m) groups were investigated. Theeffect of increasing n and m is to decrease CMV. Linear correlations with log CMV vs.hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) as a function of n and m were observed. Thecorrelations are compared with previous correlations between critical coalescenceconcentration (CCC) and HLB.


34/467

Mineral Processing

MP16

SEAWATER USE IN ANTOFAGASTA MINING GROUP

Francisco AbbottMinera Esperanza

Gustavo TapiaAntofagasta Minerals S.A.

ABSTRACT

The Antofagasta plc mining group has been pioneer in the use of raw sea water inmetallurgical process at big scale. In the 90 decade, Minera Michilla began successfully theuse of sea water in the process of leaching copper oxide and secondary sulfide ore followedby SX-EW. At the end of 2010, Minera Esperanza commissioned a grinding and flotationplant processing 97 ktpd of sulfide ore, using raw sea water and applied an alternativedepressant for pyrite in the cleaning stage.


35/467

Mineral Processing

1

MP17

ANTAPACCAY TINTAYA EXPANSION

D. Garca and J. VillanuevaConcentradora Antapaccay, Xstrata, Peru

ABSTRACT

Xstrata recently completed construction of a new 70,000 tonne per day copperconcentrator near Cusco, Peru. Plant start-up was accomplished during the last quarter of

2012. Comminution will be accomplished by primary crushing, SAG milling and pebblecrushing followed by ball milling. The Concentrator is a single line configuration,comprising of one 40 ft. diameter x 22 ft. long (EGL) SAG mill driven by a 24,000 kWgearless drive. The SAG mill feeds two ball mills each 26 ft. in diameter x 40 ft. long(EGL), each driven by a 16,400 kW through gearless drive. This represents the higherpower of SAG in the world and the first 40 ft. SAG in Peru. This paper reviews theprojects technology.

This represents the first Xstratas Standard Concentrator, the higher power of SAGin the world and the first 40 ft. SAG in Peru, an overland conveyor of 6.5 km with gearlessdrive, the use of an old pit as tailings dam in big mining and the higher torque of tailings

thickener. This paper reviews the history, the background, the grinding circuit design andthe operations start-up considering focus in safety, start-up strategies, main issues,improvement opportunities.


36/467

Mineral Processing

MP18

GRINDING CYCLE OPTIMIZATION FOR PROCESSING OF COPPER SLAG ATAURUBIS BULGARIA

E.VisarievD. Kirilov; V. Stoilov; E. Djurova; I. Bonchev; V. Stoyanova;

aurubis bulgariaIndustrial zone

Pirdop, Bulgaria 2070

ABSTRACT

At Copper smelter Aurubis Bulgaria, the slag from Flash furnace and Converters isprocessed by flotation. The scheme of slag processing comprise: crushing, two stagegrinding and flotation.

Till 2010 the first grinding stage was AG Mill 7023 worked with classifier and thesecond stage - ball mill 3.6/5.5 with hydrocyclone. In 2010, a new AG Mill 65x78 withhydrocyclone was commissioned in order to increase the plant throughput. The secondstage of grinding cycle was not changed.

The Old AG mill processed 55-60 t/h slag with 75% content of size - 0.071 mm orover 75 t/h with 35-40% content of size -0.071 mm.

The new AG Mill was designed for throughput of 105 t/h with over 70 % content of size -0.071 mm. After start-up some problems with the equipment occurred block-up of AGMills grate and pumps for cyclone feeding. One of the main problems was a fast wearingof new AG mill hydrocyclone sand nozzles. Different nozzles materials (rubber, ceramicand metallic) were tested.

This paper presents:Comparison of optimal working parameters of old and new working scheme;Change of technological parameters with different sands nozzles and its effect oncirculating load;


37/467

Mineral Processing

MP19

IMPROVED DEM MODEL FOR PREDICTING CONE CRUSHERS PERFORMANCE

Dr. V. Murariu and Dusty Jacobson

Metso Minerals Industries, Inc.

ABSTRACT

Cone crushers have been applied in mineral processing or comminution circuits for morethan five decades. In that period of time, the principle of machine selection and optimizationhave evolved from purely empirical methods (capacity tables and product size curves based onbest practice) to include newer simulation based approaches.

These simulation techniques combine the strength of theory with traditional populationbalance techniques. Metsos crusher simulation employs DEM with a proprietary fast breakagetechnique using the concept of incremental damage. This paper provides an overview of theMetso cone crusher simulation technology, and highlights the value of the virtual machine for

equipment design and optimization.


38/467

Mineral Processing

MP20

PYRITE CONCENTRATE OBTAINED FROM COPPER TAILINGS

L. Valderrama and J. ChamorroDepartment of Metallurgy, University of Atacama

D. Olguin and M. CarmonaPlant Management, National Mining Company

ABSTRACT

This paper aims to present the results in the recovery of pyrite concentrate fromtailings of copper produced in the plant Manuel Antonio Matta Ruiz of the National MiningCompany ENAMI. The flotation tests performed at laboratory scale, in a cell Denver D-12,indicated that it is feasible pyrite flotation, using A-404 as a collector and MIBC and D-250as a frothers, in a pH range between 6 to 8, obtaining a concentrate grading 91.6 % pyriteand a recovery of 92 %.

The flotation circuit proposed included the steps: rougher, cleaner, recleaner andscavenger. The flotation tests at industrial scale were conducted on the proposed laboratoryscale circuit in the ENAMIs plant, from the copper tailings generated, producing

concentrates with grades greater than 92% pyrite and recoveries of 80%.


39/467

Mineral Processing

MP21

INSIGHTS ON PYRITE ACTIVATION IN COPPER-IRON BEARING SULPHIDE

ORE FROTH FLOTATION: LABORATORY VS PLANT RESULTS

Montes-Atenas, G., Escudero-Acevedo, M. and Cayunao, B.

Minerals and Metals Characterisation and Separation (M2CS) Research Group. MiningEngineering Department. Universidad de Chile, Av. Tupper 2069, Santiago, Chile.

ABSTRACT

This research aims at evaluating the activation of pyrite in metallurgical samplesobtained from a mine site and confronting such results with electrochemical studies.

A new sample preparation protocol for X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS)analysis, developed at the Minerals and Metals Characterisation and Separation (M2CS)

Research Group, was applied to pulp samples from a mine site. The plant sample consistedof a pulp sample fed to the cleaning stage of a copper-iron bearing sulphide mineral. Thelaboratory test consisted of immersing a solid electrode of pyrite into synthetic aqueoussolutions containing ion concentrations similar to that observed at plant scale. Preliminaryresults showed that pyrite activation is difficult to achieve in the aqueous conditionsobserved in the concentrator because the Cu/Fe ratio equals to 3 reported by manyresearchers was not observed in the survey.

Instead, the Cu/Fe ratio of about 1 was observed at large scale. The latter indicatesthe activation of pyrite, if applies, is driven by either sub-monolayer activation or Cu ions

weakly adsorbed at mineral surface. Further studies connecting mineralogical and XPSanalysis on is then required to assess the significance of pyrite activation in theconcentration of copper bearing ores.


40/467

Mineral Processing

MP22

THE EFFECT OF FLOCCULANTS AND THEIR DEGRADATION PRODUCTSON MOLYBDENITE FLOTATION

S. CastroDepartment of Metallurgical Enginering, University of Concepcion,Chile

J.S. LaskowskiNB Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering, University of British Columbia,

Vancouver,Canada

ABSTRACT

Modern ore processing plants must have closed circuits in which process water isrecycled back after removal of fine particles in the solid/liquid separation unit operations.Flotation of Cu-Mo ores includes two steps: a bulk flotation where molybdenite isrecovered together with Cu and Fe sulfides; and a subsequent selective flotation step wheremolybdenite is separated from depressed copper sulfides. Flocculants are usually employedin Cu-Mo concentrate thickeners preceding the selective molybdenite flotation plant.However, the floatability of molybdenite, similarly to other naturally hydrophobic minerals,is highly sensitive to the effect of both natural and synthetic polymers. In this work

flotation testing demostrate that conventional flocculants of the polyacrilamide type (PAM)are strong depressants for molybdenite flotation. Additionally, shear degradedpolyacrylamides, in spite of loosing flocculation ability, are still able to depressmolybdenite flotation.

Also polyethylene oxide (PEO) have been studied in this project. The results showthat its ability to flocculate is pH dependent. In slightly acidic pH PEO and PAM showedsimilar flocculation efficiencies on molybdenite suspensions. In alkaline pH, theflocculating and depressing effects of PEO increased. In the case of PAM, a simultaneousloss of flocculating and depressing efficiency was observed in alkaline pH. The proper useand selection of flocculants for better molybdenite recovery is discussed.


41/467

Mineral Processing

MP23

TWO DIMENSIONAL STOCKPILES PHENOMENOLOGICAL MODELATION

G. Maturana

Instituto de Innovacin en Minera y Metalurgia IM2

ABSTRACT

To avoid intermittent flows in the comminution process, the stockpiles emerged as a

suitable solution to the required operational continuity in the process of comminution.However, this causes a loss of traceability of ore characteristics inside the stockpile, mainlydue to phenomenas like segregation, stratification, avalanches and inverted cones amongothers. These phenomenas are generally depending on the geometry, form to feed andextraction, particle size distribution, moisture and others.

Currently, there are operating methods to track the mineral maintaining a constantfeed and extraction, one of them the method called "Mass Flow", which not being the mostaccurate gives some approximation to reality. Moreover, when extraction is generated fromthe stockpile and there is not feed, there is a regime known as "Funnel Flow", generating

inverted cones and thus losing all mineral traceability.

In order to have a wider knowledge of the effects presented above, aphenomenological study was developed in two dimensions, the movement of ore was basedon the geometry of Codelco Norte Divisions stockpile A-2, and the extraction wasmodeled by the Kinematic Model" and feeding by the Segregation Model. This alloweda comparison between the experimentally mineral movements with those delivered by themodel. Coupling feeding models allowed the extraction of mineral predicted traceabilitywithin the stockpile, independent of the operation sequence.


42/467

Mineral Processing

MP24

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF BROWNFIELD PROJECTS

Fernando PinoSenior Process and Commissioning Engineer

Jacobs Engineering, Chile

ABSTRACT

Projects are classified as Greenfield or Brownfield, the latter corresponding to thosedealing with expansion, modification and/or optimization of existing operations. Usualthinking is that Brownfield Projects are easier to define and develop than Greenfield or newProjects; however, evidence shows that rather the opposite is true.

Advantages of Brownfield Projects are the available improved knowledge of orecharacteristics, metallurgical processing, unit operations, equipment performance andpersonnel know how. However, there are serious hurdles to overcome, such as:coordination between the EPCM Company, the Owner Project Manager and the OperationsManager; building additional facilities within a running operation under acceptable safetyconditions; need to maintain production level during construction; connections or tie-insof new facilities to the existing ones; possible modifications required due to technologicalevolution or changes in the ore nature; in this paper, some general recommendations aredrawn from the analysis of selected typical cases, comprising tie-in identification, design,engineering, coordination and implementation; and planning the execution of modificationsduring normal and extraordinary plant detentions. Additionally, cases are analyzed forwhich innovations can have important effects on commissioning and start up schedule forboth project types.


43/467

Mineral Processing

MP26

FROTHER ROLES CHARACTERIZATION IN A LABORATORY

FLOTATION CELL

C.O. Gomez, P. and J. AlvarezUniversidad of Concepcin

Departamento de Ingeniera MetalrgicaEdmundo LarenasConcepcin, Chile

ABSTRACT

Frothers play two major roles in flotation: preservation of the formation bubble sizeand stabilization of the froth. Many tests have been proposed to characterize one of thesetwo functions and to classify frother strength based on the results obtained. A technique tocharacterize these two roles simultaneously, using a laboratory flotation column, wasdeveloped and successfully used to screen and select a replacement candidate for aparticular concentrator.

The test requires column steady state operation maintaining a constant froth height,

which entails large volumes of plant water. A technique based on batch testing around alaboratory mechanical cell not only would demand less water, but also would makepossible on-site testing. This communication presents the development results of a batchtest to characterize frother roles in a laboratory mechanical cell, which is done through thedetermination of the critical coalescence concentration and the water overflow curve.Frothers tested follows the same classification sequence previously obtained in the columntests.


44/467

Mineral Processing

MP28

SAG MILL DISCHARGE SECTION OPTIMIZATION STUDIES AND REDESIGN

DG Meadows, Luis Vergara, Thomas McQuillan, Horacio Marin

ABSTRACT

The SAG mill is the primary work horse on the majority of comminution circuitsthroughout the globe. With declining head grades the need for higher throughput circuitshas become prevalent particularly in Latin America. This paper describes the recent design

knowledge and practical experience gained in both the areas of pulp lifters and integratedtrommel design. The importance of system efficiency in terms of pulp removal is describedtogether with the need for enhanced slurry distribution onto the trommel screen itself.

Redesign starts with the replacement of the original OEM discharge mill linings,generally made of Cr-Mo steel alloy castings, by liners made from a steel-rubber-ceramiccomposite that acts by using each material property for specific work and application. Thus,very hard ceramic takes care of wear resistance, the rubber matrix underneath helps absorbimpact loads and steel gives structural support, offering a more efficient solution for theservice required workloads in terms of resistance/weight ratio and endurance.

The unique and complete discharge process from the mill grates to the pebblecollection chute at the end of the trommel was studied in depth. The flow of pulp throughthe SAG mill, discharge trunnion and trommel was modeled in detail using moderntechniques such as SPH/CFD and DEM. This enabled the integral design of the pulp lifters,trunnion section, trommel and trommel panels to be optimized and then finely tuned formaximum throughput of fresh ore.

The final result with an optimized discharge performance allows a more efficientenergy usage and or a better ore processing mill capability that enhances its performanceand so may pay back significant investment costs. Practical data relating to the influence oncircuit operating times and availability are also described.


45/467

Mineral Processing

MP29

INSTALLATION OF INTERNAL LAUNDERS ON 130 m FLOTATION CELLSAT MINERA LOS PELAMBRES

F.D. Henrquez and L. MaldonadoMinera Los Pelambres

Santiago, Chile

ABSTRACT

In the last decades flotation equipment has shown a significant increase in size. At thepresent moment, most of the concentrators plants operating in Chile have been fullyequipped with 130250 m mechanical cells and the new projects are considering the 300m cell on its flotation circuits. This dramatic increase in size poses new challenges in termsto develop better approaches to optimize the operations.

Originally, Minera Los Pelambres rougher Cu Mo flotation stage was equippedwith 130 m in volume WEMCO cells with no internal launders on it. This paper describes

the metallurgical comparison between two parallel flotation lines, one of them with recentlyinternal launders installed on the three first cells. For this purpose, a six month samplingcampaign was developed in order to obtain the metallurgical parameters of concentrategrade and recovery.

The analyzed data demonstrated an improvement in the Cu and Mo recovery of about0,11% due the effects of internal launders on cells stabilization and increase on theavailable concentrate discharge perimeter. This result led to extend the installation of thesedevises on the other three lines remaining on the three firs cells.


46/467

Mineral Processing

MP30

CONCENTRATION OF COPPER OXIDE MINERAL WITH HYDROXAMATE

H. Nematollahi, F. Kiani and M. Asgari-Mehrabadi

kian mine pars co.

ABSTRACT

Takhate-Gonbad porphyry copper mine is located at the 80 km northeast of Sirjan,Kerman Province, south-east of Iran. The main mineralization zones of Takhate-Gonbadmine include: leached, oxide, mixed and hypogene. The main purpose of this study isbeneficiation of oxide zone minerals by flotation. The flotation tests are carried out onsamples obtained from 4 boreholes.

The average grade of these samples are from 0.33 to 0.86% Total Cu. The host rockof these boreholes are different. They are: micro-granodiorite, silicified rocks, tuff andmetamorphic rocks and calcite tuff. Regarding presence of both sulphide (i.e. chalcopyrite,covellite) and oxide (i.e. cuprite, malachite) minerals, flotation tests are carried out indifferent conditions, using different reagents.

Based on these tests, the best results are obtained at pH=10.2 with 25 g/t of PAXand 500 g/t of octyl-hydroxamate. Under this circumstance, the grano-diorite sample isconcentrated with 83.8 % of recovery (the highest one) and the silicified sample isconcentrated with 35.0 % of recovery (the lowest one). Base on obtained results, all 4boreholes was mixed together and flotation tests were done. The results show that it ispossible to reach concentrate with copper contents15.51% in cleaner stages and 62.9%copper recovery in rougher stage.
http://www.google.com/search?q=micro+granodiorite&biw=1600&bih=799&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=ODCjUZG-DYXChAeCoIDoCQ&ved=0CDUQsAQhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covellitehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cupritehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malachitehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malachitehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cupritehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covellitehttp://www.google.com/search?q=micro+granodiorite&biw=1600&bih=799&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=ODCjUZG-DYXChAeCoIDoCQ&ved=0CDUQsAQ


47/467

Mineral Processing

MP31

GRINDING CHEMISTRY THE APPLICATION OF GRINDING MEDIA TOIMPROVE METALLURGICAL RESPONSE OF COPPER ORES

Christopher J Greet and Jessica Kinal

ABSTRACT

Numerous studies completed by academia and at industrial scale have consistentlydemonstrated that grinding with an electrochemically inert grinding media has significantbenefits when processing copper ores.

This paper provides a summary of pulp chemical and flotation response data for avariety of copper ores classified by geological type prepared using forged steel and highchrome grinding media.

The results intend to show that the mineralogical character of the ore has aprofound impact on the pulp chemistry and this effects the flotation behaviour of thesulphide minerals. Further, the choice of high chrome grinding media, to better control

the chemical environment during grinding, is driven by the mineralogy of the systemunder consideration.


48/467

Mineral Processing

MP32

AMIRA P260 SILVER JUBILEE 25 YEARS OF BENEFITS TO MINERALSFLOTATION

Zanin, Massimiliano and Skinner, William.

The Wark, University of South Australia. Mawson Lakes Campus, 5095 Mawson Lakes, SA,Australia.

ABSTRACT

The AMIRA International P260 series of flotation projects was initiated in 1988 atthe University of South Australia, and was sponsored by 17 companies. The major focus ofP260 has been all aspects of base metal sulphide flotation, expanding to gold, and morerecently to phosphate and other value ores. A key feature of the research has been a deepunderstanding of pulp and surface chemistry under processing conditions, as well as themechanisms underpinning the sub-processes of bubble-particle collision, attachment anddetachment in flotation.

Research comprises a combination of physical chemistry and engineering, aiming atoptimum value recovery and selectivity. Copper flotation in a variety of ore types and

deposits (Cu/Pb/Zn, Cu/Au, Cu/Mo, etc.) has been a constant theme in the project,encompassing research for operations on four continents. Now in its 25 th year, AMIRAP260 was recently evaluated by an independent consultant, RMDSTEM, as having returnedover $1 billion to industry over the project life. This represents a 22:1 return on investmentto the sector. In this paper, we present some case studies of Cu flotation research in theP260 project, together with highlights of research tools and knowledge developmentcontributed to industry.


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Mineral Processing

MP33

NASH IN THE OPTIMIZATION OF COPPER FLOTATIONCONCENTRATOR CUAJONE

J. Dvila, R. Llerena, N. Benavides and C. Curo.SOUTHERN COPPER SOUTHERN PER

Cuajone Mining CampMoquegua, Per

ABSTRACT

Since early 2011, the type of rock ore that reached Cuajone Concentrator Plantshowed high contents of basaltic andesite, andesite Intrusive (% IA +% BA) and surfaceoxide ores.

This type of mineral affected the low recovery of Cu, low tonnage of treatment, andhigh consumption of sparkling lime. In addition to operating flotation problems, lowstability in the area of foaming Rougher flotation stage.

To improve the recovery of copper, sulphidation was considered, which involves the

addition of reagents to provide ionS2- and SH-. The role of these ions is to modifycompletely the phisycal chemical nature of its surface structure, allowing the adsorption ofcollectors on it, and its subsequent flotation. In our case we use the sodium hydrosulphide(NaSH) as an agent to enable the affected species in the flotation of copper sulphides,andesites and oxidized surface.

Cuajone Concentrator Plant started its trial period in 2011. With no technicalbackground in the industry on the conditions, dosages and addition points of NaSH, it wasexperimented in different parts of the flotation. And, from September 2011, it has beendetermined that the dosage of 15% concentration in the head Rougher flotation at pH 10,improved copper recovery, reducing the consumption of frother and milk of lime, is also

achievement stabilize flotation.

The average copper recovery improved 2.3%, consumption of Cal and frotherdeclined by 21% and 28% respectively.


50/467

Mineral Processing

MP34

A REVIEW OF BENEFICIATION SCHEME FOR COPPER-ARSENIC ORE

DEPOSITS

Vishal GuptaFLSmidth Salt Lake City Inc.

Ken BaxterSNC Lavalin Group

Perth, Australia

ABSTRACT

Arsenic is an undesirable element that causes serious toxicological andenvironmental problems in smelting of arsenic-containing minerals such as enargite,tennantite etc. Serious financial penalties are imposed by smelters to treat copper orescontaining higher than 0.2 wt % arsenic. Although hydrometallurgy or pyrometallurgyprocesses offers some solution to recover valuable copper minerals, arsenic fixation in thestable form remain the key problem. It would be more economical and environmentallybeneficial to remove arsenic at an early stage by pre-concentration such as flotation.Published results showed some success in separating arsenic rich mineral such as enargite

from chalcopyrite by different strategies employed in flotation such as selective chemicalagent, pulp potential, and in combination with slurry pH. Most of these studies have been amatter of academic interest, and no successful flotation schemes have been practiced in theplant.

This work reviews the key findings of the arsenic removal means such as flotationtried by the researchers and engineers, and the difficulty present there in to scale-up theprocess. An overall process concept is presented where flotation forms a key unit operationin the treatment of arsenic ores, and some of the issues with differential flotation can beminimized through an approach which provides a mechanism to successfully treat theseores.


51/467

Mineral Processing

MP35

PREVENTING COPPER LOSS PRODUCTION AND FLOW PROBLEMS

BY MEASURING THE MATERIALS FLOW PROPERTIES

O. Angulo and F. CabrejosJenike and Johanson Chile S.A.

ABSTRACT

Hundreds of millions of tons of copper-containing products in particulate forms(such as ROM, crushed, agglomerated or leached ore, concentrate, or tailings), havingdifferent characteristics (like particle size distribution, shape and density, moisture content,chemical, mineralogical and lithological composition), are daily handled, stored andconveyed in the world through different equipment at the different stages of the copperminerallurgical processes. In these processes, operators commonly face problems such asloss of production, flow blockages in the equipment, segregation, equipment wear,uncontrolled discharge and occasionally unexpected plant shutdowns. Due to the hugeinvestments involved in world class projects, the mining industry is particularly sensitive tothem.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a cost effective solution to flow problems inthe mining industry, by highlighting a well proven and scientific method used to ensurecontrolled and reliable flow of bulk solids, based on Jenikes flow of solids technology andlaboratory testing [1]. Knowledge of the material flow properties allows designing newinstallations or modifying existing defective equipment, and preventing productionstoppages due to the formation of chute pluggages, cohesive arches and/or ratholes insilos, which are the most common causes of flow problems in the copper mining industry.


52/467

Mineral Processing

MP36

THERMODYNAMIC CONSTANTS OF MINERALS OF THE OXIDATION ZONEOF COPPER ANTLERITE AND PSEUDOMALACHITE

N.S. BekturganovSC National scientific-technological holding Parasat

18 Republic Ave.Astana, Kazakhstan 010000

M.R. Bissengaliyeva, D.B. Gogol and Sh.T. TaimassovaThe Institute of problems of complex development of mineral resources

5 Ippodromnaya StreetKaraganda, Kazakhstan 100019

ABSTRACT

Minerals of the oxidation zone of copper deposits belong to the most difficult forenrichment. To transfer them into the easily floatable sulfide components it is necessary tohave new technologies and methods of enrichment associated with solving of a number oftheoretical issues to which the chemical enrichment refers. Optimization and intensification

of the technology process for the purpose of more complete and complex utilization of rawmaterials require certain knowledge of thermodynamic properties of the oxidized mineralssince the thermodynamic analysis and a preliminary simulation of the process are necessaryfor creation and choice of ore processing schemes. A basic sulfate of copper antlerite and abasic phosphate of copper pseudomalachite relate to these minerals along with malachite,azurite, atacamite, chrysocolla, brochantite, etc.

This paper generalizes the results of experimental studies of thermodynamicproperties of antlerite and pseudomalachite obtained by a number of the calorimetricmethods (low-temperature adiabatic calorimetry, the Tian-Calvet high-temperature meltsolution calorimetry). This resulted in obtaining such fundamental thermodynamic

constants as the heat capacity, entropy, the change of enthalpy, the enthalpy of formationand the Gibbs energy of formation used in simulation of technological processes ofprocessing of the oxidized and mixed copper ores.


53/467

Mineral Processing

MP38

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN FLOTATION COLUMN

INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL

R. del Villar, J. BouchardDepartment of Mining, Materials and Metallurgical Engineering

A. Desbiens, . PoulinDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering

LOOP (Laboratoire dobservation et doptimisation des procds)Universit Laval

Qubec (QC), Canada

ABSTRACT

For over two decades, the Process Observation and Optimisation Laboratory(LOOP) has been working in developing and/or improving specific sensors for flotationcolumns and their use for process control. Numerous papers have already been publishedfor the Mineral Processing industrial and scientific community in peer-reviewed journalsand conference proceedings, e.g. for the Copper Conference series. This paper summarizes

the latest completed milestones by the group, since the last Copper conference held in Chilein 2003, emphasizing on results presented in North America and Europe since Copper2010.

On the instrumentation side, developments encompass a more accurate method formeasuring electrical conductivity for flotation column sensors, a device for estimating thebias rate, a better procedure for evaluating bubble size from images taken by bubbleviewers, and a method for on line estimation of frother concentration. In terms of processcontrol advances, the discussion will focus on results for bubble size control in a two-phasesystem, and the application of a 3x3 multivariable predictive control to a pilot flotationcolumn running in parallel to industrial columns in a Qubec concentrator. Current

investigations on bubble size distribution modeling and control, as well as matching bubblesize to particle size will be discussed.


54/467

Mineral Processing

MP39

METALLURGICAL OPTIMIZATION OF A HIGH DISSEMINATION

AND HIGH HARDNESS COPPER ORE

Ral Jara IturreEmpresa Minera Altos de Punitaqui

Miguel Aguirre 280 - Oficinas 47-48. Ovalle

Luis Tello Muoz, Cristian Gonzalez Bravo, Hector Guinel FigueroaEmpresa Minera Altos de Punitaqui

Miguel Aguirre 280 - Oficinas 47-48. Ovalle

ABSTRACT

Minera Altos de Punitaqui owns a concentrator plant near Punitaqui City, 12 kmsouth from Ovalle City located in northern Chiles Fourth Region. This Concentrator plantprocesses about 3,500 DMT/day and produces 43,000 DMT/year of concentrate with 28%copper content and some silver content.

In early 2012, the plants copper recovery was approximately 77%. According to

mining standards, this is a low recovery rate, although earlier mineralogical andmetallurgical studies indicated that the maximum possible recovery wouldnt be higherthan 80% due to the high value dissemination in the feed ore.

The plant superintendence and its technical team developed a work plan resulting insystematic enhancements to the flotation process; the operational variability decreased andrelevant conditions were modified, including the flotation circuit and process variables; toend up that year with a steady state recovery of 80 82% with a quality of more than 27%copper, 2% higher than the 2011 average.

In 2013 without any investment in flotation cells the flotation capacity has beenincreased from 3,100 DMT/day to 3,500 DMT/day with higher copper recovery. This

comes with the bonus alternative of using the idle capacity to process other third partyminerals adding further profitability to the Altos de Punitaqui site.

This paper describes both the optimization strategy applied and the improvementresults, underlining the virtuous triangle made up by a well-organized operation, themetallurgical laboratory support and the support received from the industrial processanalysis, modelling and simulation.


55/467

Mineral Processing

MP40

MARINE TAILINGS PLACEMENT: EXPERIENCES AND LESSONS FROM THEASIA PACIFIC REGION

D. GwytherPicton Group Pty Ltd

30 Malpas DriveWallington Vic3222, Australia

[email protected]

J. Waworuntu

P.T. Newmont Nusa Tenggara,Jalan Sriwijaya 258 Mataram, [email protected]

ABSTRACT

This presentation looks at some of the advancements in operating and monitoringthat have accompanied the implementation of deep sea tailings placement (DSTP) in the

Asia Pacific region over the past 20 years. It describes the guidelines and criteria that havebeen developed to ensure that DSTP systems are properly assessed and located prior toapproval and throughout operation and closure.

In considering the potential applicability of these experiences to countries such asChile, substantial research will clearly be required to establish equivalent criteria to achievethe same objectives and environmental safeguards in the Chilean socio-political context.However, just as important for gaining acceptability will be the acknowledgement bygovernments and all sectors of the community of the existence of the dilemma now or atsome time into the future that if the currently accepted land storage methods reach theirphysical or safety limits, alternative storage methods will need to be considered. DSTP

cannot be a solution without broad community acknowledgement that a dilemma aboutfuture mine tailings management needs to be faced. It is the role of governments, informedby scientific study, to evaluate the best solution for future tailings management for thecountry in each case.


56/467

Mineral Processing

MP41

MODELLING BUBBLE HYDRODYNAMICS IN FLOTATION

C.O. Gomez and J.A. FinchMcGill University3610 University Street

Montreal, Canada H3A [email protected]

M. MaldonadoDepartamento de Ingeniera Metalrgica

Universidad de Santiago de ChileAvenida Libertador Bernardo OHiggins 3363

Santiago, Chile

ABSTRACT

Three parameters are generally used to describe gas dispersion in a flotationmachine: superficial gas (air) velocity, gas holdup and bubble size. Techniques and sensorsto measure local values of these parameters, including industrial flotation units, have beendeveloped.

A model relating these variables, which was developed based on a drift-fluxanalysis of bubble hydrodynamics, has been available for many years. The model has beenmainly used to predict one variable (typically bubble size) from measurements of the othertwo. Gas dispersion measurements in laboratory and industrial units have demonstratedthat in many cases significant differences between measurement and model prediction exist.

A reliable model to predict properties of bubble populations would help in theselection and operation of flotation equipment. This work takes laboratory air-water datasets to establish the adequacy of the equations in the drift-flux model. The resultsdemonstrated that ignoring the effect of frother on bubble terminal and swarm velocities isthe reason for the poor model prediction.


57/467

Mineral Processing

MP42

PRIMARY CRITERIA FOR PRESSURE COPPER LEACHING PROCESSSELECTION

G. Debernardi, R. Souyris and M. GianettiDESSAU CHILE INGENIERA

Ricardo Lyon 222, Piso 10, ProvidenciaSantiago, Chile

[email protected]@dessau.cl

J. MenachoDe Re Metallica Ingeniera

Av. del Valle 601, oficina 31, HuechurabaSantiago, Chile

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

Several hydrometallurgical processes for high and moderate pressure leaching of

copper sulfides have been developed in the past years, such as the Total Pressure Oxidation,Sepon, Platsol, Mt. Gordon, AAC/UBC, Dynatec, CESL, Activox and MT-DEW-SXprocesses. Nowadays, several are under industrial scale application, or well tested at pilotscale level.

The basics and current status of these processes is briefly reviewed, with specialconsideration on their applicability to the leaching of different copper ores, depending onits sulfide mineralogy and occurrence of impurities such as arsenic and the presence ofother valuable metals. A comparison of the general conditions in the autoclave leaching foreach process is presented, and a decision tree is proposed for a simple choice of the besttechnology for a given application from a process point of view, before proceeding toperform feasibility study.


58/467

Mineral Processing

MP45

MODELLING BUBBLES GOING THROUGH FLOTATION CELLS

Jorge M. Menacho and Juan Rodrguez

De Re Metallica Consultant, Av. Del Valle 601, Oficina 31, Huechuraba, Santiago,

Chile, (562)-738-4493, [email protected]

ABSTRACT

A new phenomenological approach is presented in this paper, in which bubble

dynamics is described from the bubble generator, going through the slurry phase, wherethey move within a turbulent circulating field subjected to simultaneous rupture and

coalescence phenomena, both controlled by the frother HLB and dosage. Size growth

simultaneously occurs due to lower pressure as bubbles move up. After a time bubbles

arrive to a compaction zone where porosity is reduced becoming a continuous bed. Then

the bubble bed enter the froth phase moving upward in plug flow conditio

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