A review of copper–arsenic mineral removal from copper concentrates

Long, Graham; Peng, Yongjun; Bradshaw, Dee

doi:10.1016/j.mineng.2012.03.032

Cited by 94 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Recently, the regulations for As release to the environment have become more stringent with increasing public awareness of the toxicity of As and better understanding of its impact on the environment (Long et al, 2012). Therefore, As control is an important issue in mining operations at porphyry copper deposits.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stability of As(V)-sorbed schwertmannite under porphyry copper mine conditions

Houngaloune

Hiroyoshi

Ito

2015

Minerals Engineering

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stability of As(V)-sorbed schwertmannite under porphyry copper mine conditions

Houngaloune

Hiroyoshi

Ito

2015

Minerals Engineering

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“…The xanthate used in this study was potassium amyl xanthate (PAX, C 5 4 OH) supplied by American Cyanamid, USA was used as a frother and analytical grade of HCl and NaOH (Fisher Scientific) were used as pH modifiers.…”

Section: Reagentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Arsenic Removal from Mine Tailings for Recycling via Flotation

et al. 2013

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In this study, we propose a flotation process to remove the arsenic from Samkwang mine tailings in South Korea, which contained a high arsenic content, in order to render them suitable for recycling. In order to maximize the arsenic removal from the mine tailings, three variables (type of collectors and activators, and solution pH) were systematically investigated. Characterization experiments (X-ray diffraction and electrokinetic property analyses) were carried out to complement the flotation results, and the results showed that the mine tailings were mainly composed of arsenopyrite (FeAsS), arsenic trioxide (As 2 O 3 , As 4 O 6 ), arsenic pentoxide (As 2 O 5 ) and quartz (SiO 2 ). The flotation results obtained using different collectors (i.e., potassium amyl xanthate (PAX), sodium oleate, sodium dodecyl sulfate) revealed that arsenic removal efficiency was greatest in the presence of PAX, which was explained by the difference in the electrokinetic properties and the interaction type of collectors with arsenic-bearing minerals. Meanwhile, the addition of activators (Na 2 S, CuSO 4 , Na 2 S+CuSO 4 ) and the pulp pH significantly affected the arsenic removal efficiency. The arsenic removal was maximized in the presence of mixed activators (Na 2 S+CuSO 4 ) at low pH. The effect of activator type and pulp pH on the arsenic removal efficiency was attributed to the coupled role of the sulphidization of arsenic oxides (e.g., AS 2 O 3 , AS 4 O 6 and AS 2 O 5 ), the activation of sulphidized minerals, and the formation of dixanthogen. Lastly, based on the results obtained from the parameter optimization tests (i.e., type of collector and activator, and pulp pH), a series of flotation processes consisting of rougher flotation and two subsequent scavenging flotations was designed. The results demonstrated the capability of the process to successfully remove arsenic from Samkwang mine tailings for recycling.

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“…High levels of these elements above acceptable limits, (e.g., 500 ppm for arsenic) in the copper concentrates are undesirable as it leads to financial penalties imposed by smelters (Long et al, 2012;Pangum et al, 1997). In this literature review, mineralogical shortcomings and factors relative to optimising gold recovery and minimising deportment of penalty elements (uranium, arsenic and fluorine) in copper sulphides flotation are discussed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%