Investigation of Seasonal Variations in Kidd Creek Ore Flotation
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Authors
Rankin, Patrick
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Froth flotation , Seasonal variation , Water quality , Ionic strength , Complex sulphide ore
Alternative Title
Abstract
Water management in mining and mineral processing operations is becoming increasingly important in the 21st century due to water scarcity concerns. This has incited a tremendous opportunity for innovation and research focused on water management in mining as part of the greater push for sustainability within the industry. The aim of this study is to investigate the impacts of seasonal water quality and metallurgical variations in the Kidd Creek copper-zinc concentrator in Timmins, Ontario, Canada. To quantify the salinity of water used in flotation experiments, a literature review was conducted. An ionic strength database containing 161 distinct water quality data sets from 55 investigations is presented. The median ionic strength from the literature is 0.058 mol/L and ranged from 5.7x10-5 to 8.9 mol/L. The impact of water quality on flotation metallurgy strongly depends on the types of ions present in the process. Magnesium ions can have a detrimental impact on mineral flotation systems with high salinity.
Minerology results indicate that the Kidd ore consists primarily of pyrite (22%) and quartz (22%). Pyrrhotite (9%) is present in the ore along with chalcopyrite and sphalerite at 8% each. The balance (32%) consists of other silicate, carbonate, and sulphide minerals. A fractional factorial study on the effects of airflow rate, pH, collector dosage, and modifier dosage identified airflow rate as the most influential, followed by collector dosage, pH, and modifier dosage in terms of flotation recoveries of copper, iron, zinc, and sulphur.
Investigating the flotation of Kidd Creek ore at bench scale between March 2022 and February 2023 identified seasonal trends in both copper and zinc flotation. Residual flotation reagents in the process water or additional oxidation effects experienced by the ore samples could have contributed to an increase in sphalerite floated to the copper concentrate by 20 to 30% in summer months. Further investigations on the effects of airflow, pH, collector dosage, and the concentration of calcium, metal, and sulphate ions on Kidd Creek ore flotation are recommended. Bench-scale water treatment and a plant trial are also recommended.
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ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
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Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.