A New Flotation Gas Technology for Treatment of Low Grade High Carbonate Auriferous Pyrite Ores

摘要

Low grade high carbonate auriferous pyrite ores from the Carlin-trend in Nevada have been notoriously difficult to treat using physical separation processes such as flotation. Historically, it has been shown that auriferous or arsenian pyrite recovery can be improved utilizing Newmont USA Limited's patented N_2TEC~(TM) flotation technology. However, the acid consumptions required by this process were found to be economically prohibitive to allow for the application of the N_2TEC~(TM) technology on high carbonate ores. Newmont USA Limited ("Newmont") has recently developed a new flotation gas technology, in order to improve the flotation response of high carbonate auriferous pyrite ores. This paper discusses the development of the technology from laboratory bench-scale testwork through to validation of the technology in a pilot-plant demonstration on-site.