TRANSACTION PAPER

The development of a metallurgical flowsheet to treat tails

J.R. Walklate^I; H. Jeram^II

^IRichards Bay Minerals
^IIHatch Associated Ltd

SYNOPSIS

The ilmenite, rutile and zircon processes of the Mineral Separation Plant generate tailing streams, which still contain valuable mineral. This is due to a combination of factors, which include separator equipment efficiency, particle size effects and inefficient operating practices (equipment overloading, blockage, etc.). Recent developments by metallurgical equipment suppliers have led to increased mineral separator performance enabling recovery of previously lost valuable mineral.
Mineralogical studies were conducted using QEM*SEM and MLA techniques to identify and quantify gangue mineral species and determine mineral association. Laboratory and pilot-scale test work was then conducted to develop suitable process flowsheets for the recovery of ilmenite, rutile and zircon from current and stockpiled tailings.

“Full text available only in PDF format”

References

1. WIGHTMAN, E. Mineralogical Characterisation of RBM Tails Samples, Unpublished report, June 2005.         [ Links ]

2. Outokumpu Technology, Physical Characteristics of Select Minerals and Materials, May 2006.         [ Links ]

3. HOLLAND-BATT, A.B. Analysis of Mineral Separation Systems by means of Recovery Functions, Trans. Instn. Min. Metall. vol. 94, March 1985. pp. C17-C29.         [ Links ]