Testing of Ore Comminution Behavior in the Geometallurgical Context—A Review

Abstract

Abstract:Comminution tests are an important element in the proper design of ore beneficiation plants. In the past, test work has been conducted for particular representative reference samples. Within geometallurgy the entire ore body is explored in order to further identify the variation within the resource and to establish spatial geometallurgical domains that show the differential response to mineral processing. Setting up a geometallurgical program for an ore deposit requires extensive test work. Methods for testing the comminution behavior must therefore be more efficient in terms of time and cost but also with respect to sample requirements. The integration of the test method into the geometallurgical modeling framework is also important. This paper provides an overview of standard comminution test methods used for the investigation of ore comminution behavior and evaluates their applicability and potential in the geometallurgical context. Keywords: geometallurgy; comminution behavior; metallurgical testing BackgroundBefore concentration, metal ores have to be crushed and ground in order for the metal bearing minerals to be liberated. Sufficient size reduction by comminution is not only a prerequisite for any downstream physical separation, but is also the processing step within mineral processing that has the highest energy demand, and which, in practice, is often the limiting factor for plant capacity. Reliable OPEN ACCESS

Geometallurgical characterization of South Georgian complex copper-gold ores

“…In addition, there should also be the possibility of using the corresponding sample for mineralogical characterization and beneficiation test work such as flotation tests. Mwanga, Rosenkranz, and Lamberg (2015) give a short review of existing comminution test methods suitable for geometallurgical investigations. One of the methods is the Outotec Mergan mill, developed originally by Niitti (1970), and its usability as a part of a geometallurgical testing procedure was confirmed recently by Heiskari (2017) and Heiskari et al (2018).…”

Evaluation of the Geometallurgical Indexes for Comminution Properties at Sarcheshmeh Porphyry Copper Mine

“…Geometallurgical comminution tests (GCT) are used to predict the throughput of a mineral processing plant in a variable ore deposit. According to [12], a proper GCT should fulfill the following requirements: (1) the test is relatively simple, (2) the test should be repeatable and not person dependent, (3) the test is easy to conduct, (4) the test is fast and inexpensive, (5) the required sample size is small, (6) tests should give values for both crushability and grindability, (7) the results of the test can be used in modeling and simulation, and (8) it should be possible to extend the test by including mineral liberation information.…”

“…Geometallurgy could be divided into geometallurgical modelling, in case of technical investigations, and geometallurgical planning, from a management point of view. Geometallurgical modelling is the subjects those have been studied as 3D spatial modelling [6][7][8][9], geometallurgical tests [10][11][12], and integrated mineralogical approaches [13][14][15]. On the other hand, geometallurgical planning is mostly carried out based on a combination of the markets requirement and prediction, and the technical characteristics of a mining operation.…”

Compaction Studies of Torrefied Willow

“…The tests of mechanical strength were performed using the mechanical strength testing press 5kN, based on the Brazilian Tensile Strength Method [Borowski 2002] (Figure 4 and Figure 5) also known as Indirect Tensile Strength Method [Mwanga et al 2015]. The method consists in placing the cylindrical sample between the clamping plates of the press and applying the load (speed of 2 mm/min was used).…”