FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONTINUOUS ION EXCHANGE PROCESS FOR COPPER RECOVERY FROM FINES

摘要

The presence of large amounts of fines in mineral feed ores presents significant issues for their processing. In particular, clays and other fines may form impermeable layers in the heaps which significantly reduce lixiviant percolation and, hence, the target metal recovery rate. To eliminate such an issue, InnovEco Australia has developed a new method for processing fine minerals based on ion exchange technology. The recovery of copper from fine ores achieved in preliminary bench top tests and mini pilot plant trials was high, in the range 90-96%. This paper demonstrates the results of the technology validation via building a plant prototype. The prototype simulates a continuous ion exchange process that enables the processing of fine minerals (up to 300 microns). Mineral ore sample from a South Australian copper mine was used in the tests. Continuous operation test trials confirmed high copper recovery rates, short residence time and lower acid consumption in comparison with traditional technologies. The plant prototype trials have been validated independently by the research team of the University of South Australia by process observation and analyses of the solid and liquid samples before and after processing. This project has been supported by the Australian Government through Accelerating Commercialisation, an element of the Entrepreneurs' Programme.