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Optimising Arsenic-Rejection flotation circuit

design and selection based on multiple objective

evaluation

PROJECT: Modelling of penalty element rejectionflotation flowsheets

Marcelo Montenegro, Luis Cisternas

Universidad de Antofagasta / CICITEM, ChileWarren BruckardCSIRO, Process Science and Engineering

Edelmira Gálvez

Universidad Católica del Norte / CICITEM, Chile

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OUTLINE

Motivation

Methodology

Results

Conclusions

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BASE CASE

MOTIVATION

     O     P     T     I     M     I     Z     E Optimize the separation of  

Copper and Arsenic in aTennantite,Chalcopyrite,Gangue

system, using pulp potential.

     P     R     O     D     U     C

     T Produce two products: 1) High

Arsenic and low Copper, 2) Low

Arsenic and high Copper.

Improve the copper grade and

recovery in the product.

     A     R     S     E     N     I     C Avoid penalty by Arsenic

Reduce environmental impact

and increase the income

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METHODOLOGY

     S     U     P     E     R     S     T     R     U     C     T

     U     R     E

Represent a set of feasiblecircuits to be evaluated for the

Chalcopyrite, Tennandite,Pyrite and Quartz system.

     S     I     M     U     L     A     T     I     O     N

Generation of results for each

specific circuit

     E     V     A     L     U     A     T     I     O     N

Use of metrics and spidergraphics to analyze, select and

compare flotation circuits.

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SUPERSTRUCTUREIMPROVEMENTS

     A     L     T     E     R     N     A     T     I     V

     E     S

A superstructure isused to identify

alternatives

     O     B     J     E     C     T     I     V     E Incorporate multiple

objectives

     M     E     T     R     I     C

Metric is used toevaluate efficiency,

quality, capacity,

environmental

impact and economic

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REPRESENTATION OF CIRCUITS

Stage Chalcopyrite Tennantite Gangue Water

Rougher high As-Cu 0.9600 0.9900 0.4200 0.4000

Cleaner high As-Cu 0.9628 0.9848 0.4082 0.2345

Re-cleaner high As-Cu 0.9628 0.9848 0.4082 0.2345

Product 1 high-As low-Cu 0.3819 0.9479 0.0699 0.0375

Product 2 low-As high-Cu 0.9445 0.8000 0.0799 0.0505

Processing tail low-As high-Cu 0.9445 0.8000 0.0799 0.0505

Thickener 0.0000 0.0000 0.0799 0.0505

Operational

data

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RESULTS

GLOBAL COPPER RECOVERY

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COPPER CONCENTRATE GRADE

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ARSENIC IN THE PRODUCT

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SEPARATION FACTOR

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FRESH WATER/ t ORE

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Kg CO2 / t ORE

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INCOME/ t ORE

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MULTIPLE GOALS

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SUMBRANCHES

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SELECTED CIRCUITS FOR FURTHER STUDY

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CONCLUSIONS

The Base circuit has high copper grade in concentrate, a low value of CO2 emission and low fresh water usage

Including tails recirculation and scavenger cells increase the income

There is not a circuit that is the best in all indicators. Then the

analysis and evaluation must include multiple goals.

The methodology includes superstructure, simulation and multiple

objectives, and it can be easily implemented.

Spider graphics and metric help to quickly analyze the alternatives.

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Optimising Arsenic-Rejection flotation circuit

design and selection based on multiple objective

evaluation

Contact

Marcelo Montenegro (marcelo.montenegro@cicitem.cl)

Luis Cisternas (lcisternas@uantof.cl)