On-Stream Analysers Benefits
What are the benefits of having an OSA on-stream analyser? The assays are utilized for control in many ways, starting from individual control loops to overall optimization in the flotation circuits. Reagent dosages in the cleaner flotation stages are controlled by feedback from concentrate quality. For instance, the depressant in the zinc cleaner circuit is […]
Carbonaceous Gold Ore Treatment Method
Flotation The simplest method of treating a carbonaceous ore is the method described by R. W. Nice (1971) at the McIntyre Porcupine Mine where the carbon, which contains very little gold, is floated off and discarded. The remaining ore is then responsive to cyanidation. This does not work at Carlin because the carbonaceous compounds have […]
Thiourea Silver Leaching
Unlike base metals which are readily soluble in mineral acids, noble metals like gold and silver require the presence of oxidizing and complexing agents for dissolution. Silver approaches base metal behavior in acidic thiourea solutions (Ag + 3Thio ↔ Ag(Thio)3+ + e, E° = 0.025 V) requiring only mild oxidizing conditions for dissolution. Accordingly, the following […]
Ferrosilicon Powder
Ferrosilicon powder (containing approx. 15% Si) for constitution of heavy media is used today in many separation plants treating iron and other ores. The production of the powder by grinding is expensive. A new process atomizes the still molten ferrosilicon by air or steam. In a heavy medium this atomized ferrosilicon powder has several remarkable […]
Rock Stability Tester
Aid mine workers in detecting hazardous roof conditions in underground mines by developing a method of roof sounding which supplements or replaces the traditional roof sounding technique where the miner relies on experience to determine whether or not the rock is sound. The Bureau of Mines developed an electronic roof sounding device that acoustically determines […]
Magnesium Oxide to Remove Metals in Water
Conventional practice for treating mine drainage and other water sources contaminated with heavy metals is lime precipitation and settling of the hydrous oxides. This produces a voluminous toxic sludge that results in another type of disposal problem. In addition, settling of the precipitated hydrous oxides often does not produce sufficiently pure water to meet statutory […]
Gold Trommels & Gold Scrubbers
Gold Trommels & Scrubbers are noted for economy and efficient performance in cleaning sand, gravel, crushed stone and various ores. These machines are ruggedly constructed and are designed for excellent results with a minimum of water, power and maintenance. Time and again users report lower cost per ton with Gold Trommels & Scrubbers. Gold Trommels […]
Rock Cutting Equipment
Mechanical excavators were introduced for soft rock cutting at the time of the industrial revolution. The early machines date back to mid 1800’s and were developed for rapid excavation of tunnels and to increase production in the mining environment. The early radial or drag type tools were very primitive and made of hardened steel and […]
Air Decking to Increase Fragmentation in Blasting
Better Air Decking using the Saver Plug, offers a reduction in fly rock, vibration, drilling costs, and the volume of explosives used in blasting. It is used across all sectors of the mining industry, including underground horizontal hole blasting. Increased fragmentation and cast percentage is achieved with the same or reduced Powder factor. All of […]
Drying Coal by Microwave
Fundamental problems exist with the drying of fine coal. The moisture content of fine coal after mechanical dewatering is often too high to allow the coal to be added directly to the coarser (plus ¼ in) fractions and it must be further dewatered. Also, fine coal is lost and expelled with sludge in most current coal […]