Feasibility of Bioreagents Flotation of a Base Metal Sulphide Ore using a Xanthate Reagent Scheme

Hamilton, Daniel

Abstract

Base metal sulphide ores are effectively processed across Canada, and globally, commonly using variations of the xanthate reagent scheme, which includes the use of environmentally hazardous reagents such as copper sulphate, xanthate, and cyanide. This research project studied the feasibility of bioreagents as new reagents for use in traditional froth flotation as an attempt to transition these accepted processing methods to incorporating innovative reagents that will reduce the threat to the environment while maintaining acceptable metal recoveries. Bioreagents produced from naturally occurring, non-pathogenic bacteria found at active and abandoned mine sites were tested with the objective of their application into existing mine infrastructure processes. Initially, this study characterized an actual sulphidic polymetallic ore that contains base metals (copper, zinc) and precious metals (gold, silver). Experimental considerations to efficiently design a froth flotation circuit using traditional methods were related to the effect of particle size, pH, and reagent dosage on the grade and recovery of the valuable minerals. Once a standard procedure was developed, the study shifted to determine the effect of bioreagents in comparison to the previously established baseline. The feasibility of cultivating and enhancing specific strains to suppress gangue minerals and render copper bearing minerals hydrophobic while, at minimum, maintaining recovery rates of valuable minerals from a complex base metal sulphide ore was determined.

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Feasibility of Bioreagents Flotation of a Base Metal Sulphide Ore using a Xanthate Reagent Scheme

Abstract