Abstract
The use of alkaline pressure oxidation to pretreat refractory gold ore often results in insufficient gold recovery (<60%) in downstream thiosulfate leaching. To improve gold recovery, flotation was considered for the separation of carbonaceous matter (C-matter). In this study, the effect of MIBC on C-matter flotation was investigated to understand the role of the frother in bubble and froth formation and on flotation kinetics. MIBC dosages between 30 and 150 g/t were used in combination with 500 g/t of kerosene as a collector. The results showed that the recovery and selectivity of C-matter were improved with increasing MIBC dosages. Improved selectivity at higher MIBC dosages was attributed to faster C-matter recovery as bubble size decreased to the critical coalescence concentration (CCC) and to changes to the foam structure. Analysis of flotation kinetics showed that the flotation rate increased as the MIBC dosage increased due to the decreasing bubble size and the reduced induction time caused by the interaction between the collector and the frother. The results of this study explain the role of MIBC in C-matter flotation and can be used as a design basis for scavenger-cleaner flotation testing. Overall, the results show the potential for flotation as a means to improve gold recovery in thiosulfate leaching through the removal of C-matter.
Highlights
It has been proposed that the frother influences flotation kinetics by decreasing the induction time
The flotation feed used in this study was double refractory gold ore containing both carbonaceous matter and sulfide from Barrick’s flagship Goldstrike mine in Nevada, USA
Between 30 and 60 g/t of methyl isobutyl carbonyl (MIBC), the difference in ultimate recovery was attributed to bubble size reduction, as the coalescence concentration (CCC)
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. This observation is supported by Barbian et al [29], creases as water recovery to the concentrate decreases This observation is supported by who demonstrated that foam stability affects flotation performance in grade. It has been proposed that the frother influences flotation kinetics by decreasing the induction time (i.e., the time required for the thin film of water between the air bubble and mineral particle to rupture, allowing the particle to attach to the air bubble). Our results determine the effect of MIBC on C-matter, and suggest the possibility of flotation as the alternative method for refractory gold ore containing C-matter, leading to overall increased gold recovery
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