Balancing the reagent suite to optimise grade and recovery

Abstract

The recovery of Platinum Group Metals and Gold (PGM + Au) from the UG-2 reef of the Bushveld Complex is an interesting challenge when the selection and optimisation of the reagent suite is considered. The UG-2 reef is characterised by two predominant gangue phases i.e. chromite and silicate, that have significantly different physical and chemical properties. A strategy needs to be devised to address concentrate grade that will reduce the recovery of gangue without significantly affecting the recovery of the valuable species. Recovery of the valuable species is complicated by the fact that PGM + Au occurs as a variety of different minerals having varying chemical and physical properties. The operating strategy has to consider the characteristics of the valuable mineral species and maximise recovery while meeting stringent grade specifications. Laboratory tests are conducted to illustrate the effect of the various flotation parameters. Applications of the findings on existing concentrators are discussed illustrating the need for a better understanding of the contribution of the various mechanisms occurring in the flotation cell. The paper demonstrates the significance of entrainment in the recovery of both valuable species and gangue species, and the need for a greater understanding of this non-selective sub-process on overall circuit performance. This paper forms part of a postgraduate study through the University of Cape Town into the development of a mechanistic model for the entrainment process. Although much work has been done in this study of the effect of various other parameters on the flotation of UG-2 ore, this paper focuses on the effect of frother, depressant and water on the flotation results.