Particle-based Sb distribution model for Cu–Pb flotation as part of geometallurgical modelling at the polymetallic Rockliden deposit, north-central Sweden

Abstract

The polymetallic Cu-Zn ore of the Rockliden massive sulphide deposit in the Skellefte District in north-central Sweden contains a number of deleterious elements in relevant concentrations. Of particular concern is the amount of antimony (Sb) reporting to the Cu-Pb concentrate. The aim of this study was to compare different model options to simulate the distribution of Sb minerals in a laboratory flotation test based on different degrees of details in the mineralogical information of the flotation feed. Experimental data obtained from four composites were used for the modelling and simulation. The following different simulation levels were run (sorted from least to highest level of detail of their mineralogical information): chemical assays, unsized bulk mineralogy, sized bulk mineralogy and particle information. It was shown that recoveries simulated based on bulk mineralogy are mostly within the error margin acceptable in the exploration stage of the Rockliden deposit. Unexpected high deviation in the simulation using particle information from the original recovery has been partly attributed to the fact that recovery of non-liberated particles cannot be modelled appropriately in the present version of the modelling and simulation software. It is expected that the implementation of full particle information in simulation will improve the Sb distribution model for the mineralogically complex Rockliden deposit.

Rejection of antimony and bismuth in sulphide flotation – a literature review

“…While Minz et al (2017) used mineral specific flotation rate constants and knowledge of the mineralogy of the sample to simulate the grade and recovery of antimony into a Cu-Pb concentrate from Rockliden ore with some success, further work was considered necessary to account for binary and complex particles in the samples. Lager and Forssberg (1989a) reported on two Russian investigations into the flotation of boulangerite.…”

Vacuum sublimators with rheological displacement of the dispersed medium

“…Currently, there is a large number of deposits of polymetallic sulfide ores and concentrate productions that contain arsenic, antimony, and mercury in the form of sulfides or other compounds [ [1], [2], [3], [4], [5]]. Extraction of valuable components from these types of raw materials with the help of classical methods is not safe from an environmental point of view due to the significant toxicity of accompanying elements [ [6], [7], [8]].…”