Actions

Proceedings of XVI International Mineral Processing and Recycling Conference
how to cite this article
share this article

Metrics

  • citations in Portal: 0
  • citations in CrossRef:0
  • citations in Google Scholar:[]
  • visits in previous 30 days:0
  • full-text downloads in 30 days:0

Contents

article: 5 from 6  
Back back to result list
Reprocessing old mine tailings to recover copper and precious metals using froth flotation
(The title is not available in English)
Namibia University of Science and Technology, Department of Civil, Mining and Process Engineering, Namibia

emailtnghipulile@nust.na
Keywords: circular economy; flotation; mine tailings; copper
Abstract
(not available in English)
The old tailings from mine dumps in Namibia contain not only copper but also precious metals and other metal values, such as lead and zinc, which should be recovered to supplement the production of metals from ores. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis of the tailings showed that it contained 0.8% Cu, 40 ppm Au, 60 ppm Ag, 0.9% Pb, 0.7% Zn and 1% Fe. Batch roughing tests were conducted to investigate the effect of pH, collector (PAX) dosage, and sulphidiser (Na2S) dosage on the recovery of copper and precious metals (Ag and Au). Results for flotation test work showed that recovery of metal values depends on the three operating variables. Maximum recoveries of Cu (52%), Ag (53%) and Au (44%) were achieved at pH 10.5, PAX dosage of 47 g/t, Na2S dosage of 109 g/t and 12-minute residence time. Testwork is still in progress to improve the recoveries of copper, gold and silver.

About

article language: engleski
document type: izvorni naučni članak
DOI: 10.5937/IMPRC25620N
published in Portal: 13.05.2025.
Creative Commons License 4.0

Related records

No related records

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

Top SDG Classifications

  • Industrija, inovacije i infrastruktura (54%)

  • Odgovorna potrošnja i proizvodnja (19%)

  • Dostojanstven rad i ekonomski rast (11%)

Goals Description