Copper-nickel Ores Research Articles

Intensification of Sulfide Copper-Nickel Ore Heap Leaching with Bioreagent-Oxidant Participation

With the aim of intensification, improving economic efficiency, and controlling sulfide ore heap bacterial leaching features and leaching regimes are studied for lean copper-nickel ore with the participation of a bioreagent-oxidant prepared by iron-oxidizing micro-organisms and concentrated adsorption immobilization in a separate reactor. Research established the ore size for heap leaching and an increase in metal extraction with an increase in bioreagent concentration. Use of the heap bioleaching technology developed for ore with a size of –10 mm containing 0.32% nickel and 0.11% copper makes it possible to increase nickel extraction into solution to 6.3–19.5% and copper to 5.8–24.2% with consumption of sulfuric acid lower by 4.4–14.6% compared with use of seeding ore with bacteria.

Composition and properties of highly dispersed particles generated under sulfide ore milling

Laser diffraction analysis and dynamic light scattering method are used to study highly dispersed particles generated during milling of lead–zinc ore (Gorevsky deposit), rich sulfide and impregnated copper–nickel ore (Norilsk and Kingash deposits), as well as Gorevsky Pb concentrate and Sorsky deposit Cu and Mo concentrates. Zeta-potentials of particles are measured in clarified (colloid) solution above precipitation; surface composition of ores and their fine sizes is analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The highest yield of particles under 5 μm size grade (to 3 total percent) was observed in case of Kingash ore; moreover, zeta-potential of these particles was positive at pH 9.5 and surface compositions of precipitation and colloid particles were nearly the same. Comparatively high content of ultra dispersed fractions was observed in case of Gorevsky ore and Pb concentrate. Clarified solutions contained mostly aggregates of nano-size particles, first of all, Si and Mg minerals, with the hydrodynamic diameter of 500–1200 nm, which shows little changes with time. Sulfide component of hydrosols contains many nano-size particles of minerals that better resist oxidation (sphalerite, molybdenite, pentlandite, chalcopyrite) and, in particular, can transfer metals within the ambient medium.

Determination of platinum-group elements in rocks by ICP-MS with external calibration after cation exchange separation of matrix elements by KU-2-8 resin

The analytical technique to determine platinum-group elements ( PGEs ) Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, Pt and Re in the geological samples within 0.1 ng/g – 10 μg/g range and Os on ng/g level in the ultramafic rocks by inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry with external calibration and without chemical removal of main interferences of Zr and Hf was proposed. The samples were prepared after their burning by acid decomposition in the open vessels, melting the insoluble residue with NH 4 F and with a subsequent cation exchange separation of PGEs from matrix elements by KU-2-8 resin (Russia). The measurements have been carried out using the high resolution mass-spectrometer Element 2 (Germany). The accuracy of the technique on μg/g level has been verified with reference materials: pyrrhotite ore RP-1 (Russia) and sulfide copper-nickel ore Zh-3 (Russia). In addition, the accuracy of the trace level (ng/g) has been verified by comparison of the results obtained in this study with those reported in the literature for international sample of comparison OPY-1, developed by the International Association of Geoanalysts (IAG). The procedural blanks are 0.000 n ng/ml for Os, 0.00 n ng/ml for Ru, Rh, Re, Ir and 0.0 n ng/ml for Pt and Pd. The detection limits were estimated by taking into account the blanks and their standard deviations (sample mass 1 g, volume 50 ml) and were 0.02 ng/g for Os, 0.07 ng/g for Re, 0.09 ng/g for Rh and Ir, 0.13 ng/g for Ru, 1.0 ng/g for Pt and 1.4 ng/g for Pd respectively. The content of Re was determined in the reference materials RP-1 and Zh-3, and in the sample of comparison OPY-1. Key words : platinum-group elements and Re, inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry, chromatographic separation, RP-1, Zh-3, OPY-1, external calibration. (Russian) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15826/analitika.2016.20.3.003 V.I. Men’shikov, V.N. Vlasova, V.I. Lozhkin, Iu.V. Sokol’nikova Vinogradov Institute of Geochemistry, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IGC SB RAS) Favorsky ul., 1A, Irkutsk, 664033, Russian Federation

Selecting support for preparatory drives in the influence zone of stoping in Talnakh Mines

The article sets methodological basis for selecting support for preparatory drives in copper–nickel ore mining by Transpolar Division of Norilsk Nickel. The authors present a case study of selecting support for preparatory drive in the influence zone of top-down multi-slice breast stoping.

ВЛИЯНИЕ ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТИ ГОРНО-МЕТАЛЛУРГИЧЕСКИХ ПРЕДПРИЯТИЙ НА ХИМИЧЕСКИЙ СОСТАВ ДОННЫХ ОТЛОЖЕНИЙ ОЗЕРА ИМАНДРА, МУРМАНСКАЯ ОБЛАСТЬ

Крупнейший водоем Мурманской области – озеро Имандра – более 80 лет испытывает загрязнение промышленными сточными водами горнодобывающих и металлургических предприятий и коммунально-бытовыми стоками населенных пунктов, что сказалось в значительных преобразованиях химического состава воды и донных отложений озера, ухудшении экологического состояния озера и изменении структуры гидробионтов. Для оценки современного экологического состояния оз. Имандра и изучения истории развития и загрязнения озера был исследован химический состав донных отложений, для чего отбирались их колонки, и проводился послойный анализ накопления элементов. Определялись содержания тяжелых металлов (Ni, Cu, Co, Zn, Cd, Pb, As, Hg, Mn, Fe, Cr), щелочных и щелочноземельных металлов (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Sr), а также Al и P. Установлено, что геохимический состав донных отложений оз.Имандра претерпел значительные изменения по всей акватории вследствие как прямого поступления сточных вод предприятий горно-металлургического комплекса и коммунально-бытовых стоков, так и аэротехногенного загрязнения водосбора озера и ветровых нагонных течений. Наибольший вклад в эти преобразования оказывают горнометаллургические, горнодобывающие и горноперерабатывающие предприятия – комбинат «Североникель», ОАО «Апатит» и «Олкон». Самые значительные преобразования химического состава произошли на акватории поступления стоков металлургического комбината «Североникель», где в поверхностных слоях донных отложений происходит лавинное увеличение концентраций всех исследуемых тяжелых металлов. Концентрации Ni и Cu увеличились на три и два порядка соответственно по сравнению с глубокими фоновыми слоями – до 3 и 0,6%. Увеличение содержания более чем на порядок зафиксировано и для остальных тяжелых металлов – Co, Zn, Cd, Pb, As, Hg, Cr, которые являются сопутствующими металлами в медно-никелевой руде. Влияние стоков предприятий ОАО «Апатит» сказалось в увеличении концентраций элементов, содержащихсяв апатитонефелиновых рудах и в скрышных породах (Ca, P, Na, K, Al, Sr). Обнаружилось также аномальное увеличение содержания Hg, связанное с проведением взрывных работ на рудниках.

Pyasino–Vologochan intrusion: Geological structure and platinum–copper–nickel ores (Norilsk Region)

Rocks enriched in olivine, such as olivine and picritic gabbro–dolerite and troctolite are abundant in the Pyasino–Vologochan intrusion. In contrast to Norilsk type ore-bearing massifs, ultramafic rocks of the intrusion are dominated by troctolite. Picritic gabbro–dolerite and troctolite are located between olivine and olivine-bearing gabbro–dolerite. These rocks are related by gradual transitions. The rocks are enriched in olivine, but depleted in magnesium relative to the Norilsk type ore-bearing massifs. The intrusion is also distinguished by low chromium content in the rocks. Most disseminated Pt–Cu–Ni ores are confined to troctolite and picritic gabbro–dolerite, and to a lesser extent, to contact and olivine gabbro–dolerite. The ore is mainly observed as low-sulfur assemblages of sulfides with troilite, Fe-rich hexagonal pyrrhotite, Fe-rich chalcopyrite, talnakhite, Fe-rich pentlandite, and cubanite. The total content of platinum group elements (PGE) in the ore (ppm) is as follows: from 0.45–3.47 to 7.8; gold, from 0.05–0.24 to 0.49; and silver, from 0.53–4.50 to 8.30. Disseminated ores of the Pyasino–Vologochan intrusion contain the following Pt and Pd minerals: sobolevskite, Te-sobolevskite, Te-insizwaite, maslovite, paolovite, zvyagintsevite, atokite, niggliite, mertieite II, guanglinite, and Pd2(As,Sb), Pd2(Sn,As), Pd3Sb, (Pd,Ni)2As minerals. The similarities and differences between the Pyasino–Vologochan intrusion and Norilsk type ore-bearing massifs are discussed in this paper.

Технологии подземной выемки запасов медно-никелевых руд Ждановского месторождения в период перехода с открытого способа разработки на подземный

Технологии подземной выемки запасов медно-никелевых руд Ждановского месторождения в период перехода с открытого способа разработки на подземный

Нормирование потерь и разубоживания медно-никелевых руд в системах разработки Талнахского и Октябрьского месторождений с закладкой выработанных пространств

Нормирование потерь и разубоживания медно-никелевых руд в системах разработки Талнахского и Октябрьского месторождений с закладкой выработанных пространств

Peculiarities of behavior of trace elements during fractional crystallization of sulfide magmas

The behavior of elements of copper-nickel ores during fractional crystallization of sulfide magma, which is composed of more than 20 significant major and trace elements, is considered on the basis of the theory of the direct crystallization of multicomponent melts. During this process, the trajectory of variation of composition of the t-component melt moves consecutively along the elements of the liquidus surface, which corresponds to the crystallization from 1 to t phases with formation of the primary zoning of the orebody. The composition of ores gradually varies inside the zone and changes strongly when it transits from one zone to another. The zonal distribution of major ore elements is superimposed by zoning of the accompanying and trace elements including PGEs, gold, and silver. The peculiarities of the behavior of trace elements, which are cocrystallized with major ore-forming elements or form individual microphases, are analyzed. The last portions of sulfide magma is enriched in Pt, Pd, Au, and other noble metals, which are crystallized from the melt at the final stage of formation of the orebody as an assemblage of minerals of these elements.

Late Paleozoic metallogenesis and evolution of the East Tianshan Orogenic Belt (NW China, Central Asia Orogenic Belt)

One of the most largest known and important metallogenic provinces in China is East Tianshan, where seven major types of Late Paleozoic metal deposits have been recognized: (1) porphyry-type Cu-Mo-(Au) ore deposits, (2) volcanic Fe-Cu deposits, (3) orogenic lode gold deposits, (4) magmatic Cu-Ni sulfide deposits, (5) epithermal gold deposits, (6) volcanic hydrothermal Cu deposits, and (7) skarn Cu-Ag deposits. Tectonically, the development of these Late Paleozoic metal mineral deposits was closely associated with the subduction and closure of the ancient Tianshan ocean intervening between the Tarim craton and the Junggar-Kazakhstan block. In the Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous, the northern margin of the Tarim craton existed as a passive-type continental margin, whereas the ancient Tianshan ocean was subducted beneath the southern margin of the Junggar-Kazakhstan block, resulting in the formation of the Dananhu-Tousuquan magmatic arc and associated porphyry-type Cu-Mo-(Au) deposits. In the Middle Carboniferous, the ancient Tianshan ocean began to subduct beneath the northern margin of the Tarim craton, leading to the formation of the Aqishan-Yamansu magmatic arc and associated volcanic Fe-Cu deposits. In the Late Carboniferous, the ancient Tianshan ocean was closed, and a continent-arc collision occurred, leading to the formation of the Tianshan orogen. Following the collision was an extensional event, which was associated with the emplacement of large amounts of ultramafic-mafic complexes and the formation of a number of large- to medium-scale magmatic copper-nickel ore deposits along the Kangger suture zone. In the Early Permian, East Tianshan entered into a post-collision stage, associated with the widespread emplacement of granitoid bodies and eruption of within-plate volcanism, which led to the formation of volcanic hydrothermal copper deposits, skarn-type Cu-Ag deposits, post-orogenic gold deposits, and epithermal gold deposits in East Tianshan.

Assessment of eco-hazard of copper-nickel ore mining and processing waste

The authors examine oxidation of sulfide minerals in mine waste and the associated ecological problems. The highest environmental hazard is produced by fine-dispersed mill tailings, especially where sulfide content is comparable with nonmetal content of low-chemical activity. In terms of some production waste accumulations in Murmansk Region, it is shown that the eco-hazard source can be not only fine but also coarse particle waste (Allarechensky mine waste) and ore concentration waste with low sulfide content but highly chemical-active nonmetals (Pechenga ore field).

Major Types and Characteristics of the Late Paleozoic Ore Deposits in the East Tianshan Orogenic Belt, Central Asia

One of the most largest known and important metallogenic provinces in China is East Tianshan, where seven major types of Late Paleozoic metal deposits have been recognized: (1) porphyry-type Cu-Mo-(Au) ore deposit, (2) volcanic Fe-Cu deposit, (3) orogenic lode gold deposit, (4) magmatic Cu-Ni sulfide deposit, (5) epithermal gold deposit, (6) volcanic hydrothermal Cu deposit, and (7) skarn Cu-Ag deposit. Tectonically, the development of these Late Paleozoic metal mineral deposits was closely associated with the subduction and closure of the ancient Tianshan Ocean intervening between the Tarim craton and the Junggar-Kazakhstan block. In the Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous, the northern margin of the Tarim craton existed as a passive-type continental margin, whereas the ancient Tianshan ocean was subducted beneath the southern margin of the Junggar-Kazakhstan block, resulting in the formation of the Dananhu-Tousuquan magmatic arc and associated porphyry-type Cu-Mo-(Au) deposits. In the Middle Carboniferous, the ancient Tianshan ocean began to subduct beneath the northern margin of the Tarim craton, leading to the formation of the Aqishan-Yamansu magmatic arc and associated volcanic Fe-Cu deposits. In the Late Carboniferous, the ancient Tianshan ocean was closed, and a continent-arc collision occurred, leading to the formation of the Tianshan orogen. Following the collision was an extensional event, which was associated with the emplacement of large amounts of ultramafic-mafic complexes and the formation of a number of large- to medium-scale magmatic copper-nickel ore deposits along the Kangger suture zone. In the Early Permian, East Tianshan entered into a post-collosion stage, associated with the widespread emplacement of granitoid bodies and eruption of within-plate volcanism, which led to the formation of volcanic hydrothermal copper deposits, skarn-type Cu-Ag deposits, post-orogenic gold deposits, and epithermal gold deposits in East Tianshan.

Synthesis of geopolymer materials based on slags of nonferrous metallurgy with the use of mechanoactivation

The production of geopolymer material (alkali-activated cement) is investigated as a result of the interaction of the mechanoactivated granular magnesite-ferriferrous slag, which is the processing waste of copper-nickel ores and alkali silicate. The preliminary mechanoactivation of the slag in carbon dioxide is demonstrated to result in an increase in the strength of geopolymer samples in comparison to similar processes in air. The mechanism of the effect of CO2 as a medium for slag mechanoactivation on the physical-mechanical properties of geopolymer is proposed.

Technogenic Deposits in Russia: Precious Metals Stocks and Prospects of Their Recovery

Russia possesses a high potential for resource growth and platinoid reserves, and technogenic waste of complex ore processing can become a considerable part of the process in the near future. It is practical to take into account impounded mill tailings of sulphide copper-nickel ores, old pyrrhotine concentrates (OPC), impounded magnetite concentrates and slag-dust dumps of the mining and metallurgical company “Norilsk Nickel” (MMC NN), as well as technogenic platinum-metal chromite placer deposits of Ural and Aldan. In spite of big volumes, secondary resources are characterized by unstable content of PGM and nonferrous metals. The forms of finding platinum group metals are so that raw material is difficult to be processed by conventional technological schemes. At that production cost of PGM extraction from technogenic deposits sometimes can be lower than when concentration of initial ores and sands, whereas the cost intensive operations connected with mining, crushing, grinding and classification are excluded from the processing chain.

Flotation Behavior of Jinchuan High Grade Copper-Nickel Sulphide with the Action of Different Regulators

The useful minerals of Jinchuan high-grade copper and nickel suphfide ores were mainly nickel and copper, whose grade were respectively 1.42% and 1.01%. The content of MgO and SiO2, main gangue components, reached 57.89%. The key to improve the separation indexes of flotation concentrate was to inhibit the gangue minerals effectively, therefore, the effects of different kinds of regulators on Jinchuan high grade copper-nickel ores by flotation were studied. Considering the grade and recovery of concentrate comprehensively, the optimal regulator of mineral flotation was determined to be the combination of sodium hexametaphosphate and citric acid, and the dosage were 300g/t and 500g/t, respectively. After analyzing the mechanism of the two regulators, the combined reagents could reduce the isoelectric point of gangue minerals, decreasing the adsorption between gangue minerals and valuable minerals. In addition, the reagents were able to eliminate the activation of useless ions such as Ca2+ and Ni2+ on the gangue minerals and improve the ion composition of pulp, increasing the difference of floatability between gangue and useful minerals.

Mobility of water-soluble nonferrous and precious metals in aged mineral processing waste

Based on the analyzed redistribution of nonferrous and precious metals in aqueous and weak acid solutions passed through copper-nickel ore dressing refuses, the authors have obtained distribution of the metals in the mineral phases at different levels of the filtering layer in the tailings and in different contact solutions. Potential extractability of gold and platinum at 28.4 and 3.9% of the total quantity of mine refuse, respectively, using weak acid contact solution is shown in the article.

Study on Effect of Complexing Agent Addition on Flotation Index of Copper-Nickel Sulfide Ore

The gangue mineral surface inevitably enriches some copper ions, nickel ions and other metal ions when copper-nickel sulfide ore is ground and in the flotation process. These ions can activate the gangue minerals so as to influence the selective separation of valuable minerals and gangue minerals. This paper, based on the ore property, found that complexing agent LXA could make nickel grade increase to 7.88% from 6.32%, but the recovery rate reduced by 15.61%; complexing agent LXH1 could make nickel grade and recovery rate increase by 0.6% and 1.3% respectively by comparing the flotation effect in the presence of complexing agent EDTA, LXH1, sodium thiosulfate and LXA respectively.

BEHAVIORAL RISK FACTORS OF BRONCHOPULMONARY PATHOLOGY IN KOLA NORTH MINERS

The effect of adverse behavioral factors on development of chronic bronchopulmonary diseases (CBPD) has been studied in 841 workers engaged in the underground mining of coppernickel ore. The study has shown that the most pronounced negative impact was caused by smoking. It manifested itself both in a decrease in the number of healthy individuals and in an increased risk of chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease progress. Excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and obesity did not significantly affect the CBPD risk. However when combined with smoking, they heightened its negative pneumotropic action. It has been concluded that early detection and management of modifiable CBPD non-productive risk factors were an effective way to improve respiratory health of the Kola North miners.

OCCUPATIONAL PATHOLOGY OF WORKERS EMPLOYED IN DIFFERENT PRODUCTIONS OF COPPER-NICKEL INDUSTRY IN FAR NORTH

The study dealt with the data on 1 097 cases of occupational diseases that were first identified in 702 employees of the copper-nickel industry in Murmansk region in the period from 1970 to 2010. It has been established that in the structure of occupational diseases of workers engaged in all kinds of nickel and copper production, chronic bronchopulmonary diseases dominated. It was important that the nosological spectrum of respiratory pathology was largely determined by the nature of production. In contrast, the pathology of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems including the vibration disease occupied the leading segment in the structure of the occupational pathology of the copper-nickel ores miners. It has been concluded that in order to reduce the risk of occupational disabilities, it was necessary to decrease the degree of exposure to nickel aerosols (in nickel and copper metallurgical workers) and harmful physical factors (in copper and nickel ore miners).

The Extraction of Altered Mineral Information Based on ASTER Data: A Case Study of the Huangshan Copper-Nickel Ore District in Hami

Choosing the Huangshan copper-nickel ore district as the study area and ASTER data as the data source,the authors analyzed the spectral characteristics of the typical features in ASTER bands,designed the process of extraction of alteration information,and discussed in detail "de-interfered anomalous principal component thresholding technique based on spectral angle mapping(SAM)",which was applied to the four groups of common altered minerals containing different ions or groups,and the technique included the extraction of the alteration information by principal component analysis(PCA)and de-interfered anomaly by SAM.The four groups of common altered minerals are as follows:minerals containing Fe ion(goethite and hematite),minerals containing CO2-3 group(calcite and dolomite),minerals containing Al-OH group(muscovite,montmorillonite and kaolinite) and minerals containing Mg-OH group(chlorite and epidote).The results of extraction show that the way of "de-interfered anomalous principal component thresholding technique based on SAM" is feasible and the result is consistent with the reality.It is proved evidently that ASTER data have great capability of depicting minerals in the short wave infrared range.