Annual Meeting Preliminary Program - Full Brochure (PDF) - SME

TECHNICAL PROGRAM
Creek and Victor Gold Mine has been used to develop a robust inventory estimation
technique. The technique is presented along with discussion of the particular
inventory components and evaluation methodologies.
9:45 AM
Understanding and Modeling Xanthate Decomposition Behavior
Under Processing Conditions
Y. Shen 1 , P. Somasundaran 1 , R. Farinato 2 and D. Nagaraj 2 ; 1 Earth and
Environmental Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY
and 2 Mining Department, Cytec Industries, Stamford, CT
Large efforts have gone into the investigation of the role of xanthate in the mineral
processing and the understanding of its mechanism for optimum metallurgical
performance, while another equally essential challenge understanding xanthate
decomposition behavior has not received enough attention. The majority of past
work was sporadic and unilateral on idealized systems. This deviation from pragmatic
practice involving in the complex real systems leads to a lack of complete
understanding of its contributions to SHE (safety, health and environment) concerns.
Thus this study aims to provide a complete understanding and modeling of
the xanthate decomposition behavior under simulated real processing conditions.
Current research with the focus on decomposition behavior in flotation shows that
various aspects of the conditions, such as solid content, time and xanthate dosage,
all affect xanthate decomposition variously. Even though the mechanism of decomposition
is still under investigation, the preliminary results provide insights on
xanthate decomposition behavior under high solids allowing reduced water consumption
and also possibility of utilization of sea water.
10:05 AM
Partial Volume Correction for 3D Segmentation of
Tomographic Data
Y. Wang, C. Lin and J. Miller; Metallurgical Engineering, University
of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Recently high resolution X-ray micro CT (HRXMT) systems have been used for
3D quantitative analysis of multiphase particulate systems. The analysis involves
the separation and identification of individual particles in a packed particle bed.
The spatial mineralogical composition of each particle is then established. In this
way, sampling and analysis of multiphase particle populations can be facilitated
to provide 3D information for liberation analysis. One of the problems faced in
determination of the three-dimensional spatial distribution of mineral phases in a
multiphase particle population is the partial volume effect (PVE) which can limit
quantitative analysis in some cases. PVE refers to the blurring effect and sampling
error of the finite discrete voxels which affect image intensities of multiphase particles.
This paper presents an approach for PVE correction based on the computation
of boundary characteristics in a multiphase particle and using this information
to guide the identification of the correct boundaries for high density
mineral phases. With this new approach, improvement in the determination of
the liberation-limited grade/recovery curve is discussed.
10:25 AM
Computational Fluid Dynamic Modeling of an Air-Based
Table Separator
T. Ghosh, A. Salazar and R. Honaker; Mining Engineering,
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Contemporary dry coal cleaning technologies offer significant benefits including
effective, low-cost separations while reducing the environmental impacts from
processing coal and minerals due to the elimination of water as a medium. Dry
density-based air tables have proven to be a favorable technology in the processing
of both raw and recyclable materials. Previous efforts to understand the separation
mechanisms provided by the air table units have mainly been empirical in
nature. This publication reports the findings of the first attempts to study the separation
process based on a numerical modeling approach. Commercial computation
fluid dynamic (CFD) software was used to model the fluidized particle bed
on a vibrating vertical plane using a 3-dimensional simulation. The vibration of
the separator pan was accounted for by using dynamically moving grids. The
model was developed and correlated using experimental data collected from a
laboratory air table separator. After correlation, simulations were performed to
study the physical and operating parameter effects on performance in an attempt
to maximize the efficiency achievable by the dry cleaning process.
10:45 AM
Coupled Role of Ionic Strength and Ion Valence on
Bubble-malachite Interaction
W. Chae 1 , J. Choi 1 , G. Hwang 1 , W. Kim 2 , S. Kim 2 , S. Kim 1 and H.
Kim 1 ; 1 Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Engineering,
Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea and
2
Mineral Resources Research Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience
and Mineral Resources, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
The influence of solution ionic strength and electrolyte valence on the flotation
behavior of malachite has been investigated. The microflotation tests were conducted
over a range of solution ionic strength (IS) (1300 mM) at a constant
speed, pH (pH=9.5), flotation time (10 min), and collector (sodium oleate)
dosage (2x10-6 moles/g). The size of malachite ranged from 45 to 53 …m, and
two different types of electrolytes (NaCl and CaCl2) were employed.
Electrophoretic mobility was also measured over the same IS range employed in
the microflotation study. Overall, strong coupled effect of solution IS and ion valence
was observed. Specifically, the flotability of malachite increased with increasing
IS in the presence of monovalent cations (Na+) while the flotability increased
up to 30 mM and decreased with increasing IS in the presence of divalent
cations (Ca2+). Notably, the flotability of malachite was greater with the presence
of Na+ compared with Ca2+ under high IS conditions(IS>30 mM). The
characterization and flotation results suggest that the trend was explained by the
extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (XDLVO) prediction.
11:05 AM
Coupled Role of Sulphidizers and Xanthates on the Electrokinetic
Property and Flotation Behavior of Malachite
G. Park 1 , J. Choi 1 , Y. Han 2 , H. Kim 3 and H. Kim 1 ; 1 Department of
Mineral Resources and Energy Engineering, Chonbuk National
University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea; 2 Department of Natural
Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University,
Seoul, Republic of Korea and 3 Mineral Resources Research Division,
Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Daejeon,
Republic of Korea
Coupled influence of sulphidizers and xanthates on the electrokinetic property
and flotation behavior of malachite was systematically examined via electrophoretic
mobility (EM) measurements and microflotation tests. The EM results
for the malachite before and after surface modification with different types
(Na2S, NaHS, (NH4)2S) and amounts (1E-7-5E-4 moles/g) of sulphidizers,
showed that the isoelectric points (IEP) of malachite differed at the low dosage
level depending on the type of the sulphidizer, which ranged between 5.5 and
9.2. However, the IEP values were observed to be shifted from high to low pH
values with increasing amount of sulphidizers and finally reached plateau at ca.
pH 3, indicating that the sulphidizers played a different role on changing the surface
property of malachite, which were qualitatively consistent with the adsorption
behavior of sulfur ions onto the malachite surface. In order to further understand
the effect of sulphidizers on the electrokinetic property and flotation
behavior of malachite in a sulphidizer+xanthate system, IEP and flotation efficiency
were determined and theoretical approach based on extended DLVO theory
was conducted.
Mining & exploration:
Geology:
entering the realm of the rare earths
9:00 AM • Tuesday, February 26
chairs: J. Hedrick, Hedrick Consultants Inc., Burke, VA
J. Davis, Missouri Geological Survey, Rolla, MO
9:00 AM
Introductions
9:05 AM
Exploration for REE and Gold in the Bear Lodge Tertiary Alkaline
Complex, Crook County, Wyoming
J. Ray and R. Geological Staff; Rare Element Resources Inc.,
Wheat Ridge, CO
RER is developing the Bear Lodge REE deposit in NE Wyoming. REE mineralization
is hosted in carbonatites that intrude diatremic breccias and alkalic intru-
This is the Technical Program as of September 1, 2012. IT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
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Please see the Onsite Program for final details.