In this research, dissolution of chalcopyrite concentrate is modelled and optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Also, effective parameters in the leaching process such as the amount of pyrite, silver ions, redox potential and initial concentration of acid are comprehensively studied. Central Composite Design (CCD) methodology is chosen as the design matrix to predict the optimum level of the parameters. In the next step, it will be proven that in the presence of silver ions, pyrite effectiveness is improved and also the chalcopyrite dissolution rate is increased considerably. Using the result of quadratic programming, a rotation speed of 1000 rpm, a pyrite/chalcopyrite mass ratio of 3:1, the amount of 150 ppm silver ion, a solution potential set point of 470 mV, at 800°C and 25 g/L initial acid concentration are the optimal level of the selected parameters wherein the maximum copper extraction with more than 95% in less than 10 hours can be accessible.
In this study, simulation aided design of grinding circuit for a gold mine in Iran is presented. The main parameters for the design of the grinding circuit are the ore specifi cations and the considered operating conditions. Ore specifi cations were characterized by grinding tests, which included the Drop-weigh test (A, b), the abrasion test (t a) and the Bond Work Index test (W i). For this study, the operating conditions for the processing plant are the ability to process clayey minerals and the plant throughput and the d 80 of the hydrocyclone overfl ow (leaching tank feed), which are 125 tons per hour and 45 μm, respectively. Simulation operations were performed using grinding parameters (A, b, t a , W i), operating constraints (plant capacity, d 80 of the hydrocyclone overfl ow and ability to work for clayey minerals), existing mathematical models for different types of crushers, mills and separators and JKSimMet software. By completing the simulation process, three different alternatives for the grinding circuit of the considered ore were predicted. These three alternatives have been compared and evaluated with each other in terms of specifi c energy consumption (kWh/t), sensitivity to operational variables and the ability to process clayey minerals. The optimal circuit must have the capability to process clayey minerals and must have the lowest specifi c energy consumption and the least sensitivity to operational variables. By considering all these factors, the Alternative 3 is selected and suggested for an effi cient grinding circuit.
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