Abstract

LIIPO, J. et al. Geometallurgical characterization of South Georgian complex copper-gold ores. J. S. Afr. Inst. Min. Metall. [online]. 2019, vol.119, n.4, pp.333-338. ISSN 2411-9717.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2411-9717/565/2019.

The complexity of copper-gold ores leads to large variations in recoveries and concentrate grades in the processing plant. Detailed chemical and mineralogical studies revealed considerable variation in the ratios of chalcopyrite, chalcocite, and oxidized copper minerals in the ore types studied. The end-member ore types are chalcopyrite-dominated and chalcocite-dominated, while most of the ore types plot between these end-members. In addition, increasing amounts of copper oxide and sulphate minerals result in a decreased response to flotation. Good recoveries and concentrate grades can be achieved from the chalcopyrite-dominated ore type, while the more altered chalcocite-dominated ore type is more challenging to enrich.

Keywords : classification; element-to-mineral conversion; modal composition; grindability.

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