Some mineralogical and metallurgical factors in the recovery of platinum-group elements from ores
Titel:
Some mineralogical and metallurgical factors in the recovery of platinum-group elements from ores
Auteur:
Sparrow, G. J. Woodcock, J. T.
Verschenen in:
Australian journal of earth sciences
Paginering:
Jaargang 39 (1992) nr. 3 pagina's 433-439
Jaar:
1992-07
Inhoud:
A metallurgical classification of ores containing platinum-group elements (PGE), based on the sulphide sulphur and valuable base metal content of the ore as well as the PGE minerals, is proposed. Treatment routes and recovery operations for each class of ore are then discussed. Alluvial PGE ores that contain no sulphur or base metals and usually only a few PGE minerals over a wide size range are treated by screening and cycloning to reject coarse and fine gangue (including any contained PGE). The intermediate size is treated by gravity methods to yield a concentrate which is dried, redressed by various methods depending on the minerals present and sent to a PGE refinery. Low sulphide PGE ores (<0.05% S), containing a wide range of fine-grained PGE minerals, can be treated by bulk flotation to produce a small weight of high PGE grade sulphide concentrate. This is smelted to a matte and the matte is sent to a refinery or is leached and the PGE-rich insoluble residue is sent to a refinery. Alternatively, it may be possible to selectively leach the PGE from the ore with a suitable lixiviant and recover the PGE from solution in a form suitable for sending to a PGE refinery. Medium sulphide PGE lode ores (2-10% S) and high sulphide ores (>10% S) containing 1-5% Ni+Cu, fine-grained PGE minerals and pentlandite with PGE in solid solution, are first treated by selective flotation and/or magnetic separation to give a low PGE grade nickel concentrate. Concentrates from medium sulphide ores are directly smelted to a matte whereas those from high sulphide ores, which are often of lower grade, are roasted before smelting. The matte is treated in various ways to give nickel and copper metal and PGE-containing by-products that are sent to a refinery.
Tijdschrift beschrijving