Chemical and Mineral Analysis of Flotation Tailings from Stratiform Copper Ore from Lubin Concentrator Plant (SW Poland)

ABSTRACT

The study involved the chemical and mineralogical analysis of actual tailings production from Lubin Concentrator Plant (KGHM Polska Miedz SA Group). KGHM Polska Miedz SA Group is the world’s leading company that mines and processes sediment-hosted stratiform copper deposits in SW Poland. From the beginning of copper ore mining, the problem of utilization and managing the deposited tailings has been discussed. Annually, all three concentrators produce above 30 million tons of flotation tailings. Lubin Concentrator Plant processes the most complex in upgradeability ore from the other two concentrators. The total loss of copper-bearing minerals in 0.020–0.071 mm size fraction was found to be 52%. The analysis of liberation showed that in fines (–0.020 mm) over 50% of sulfides is released while the amount of totally locked sulfides in the sample constitutes for 65%. The main cause of significant decline in the finest fractions should be attributed to inappropriate flotation time or too low collector dose. Insufficient liberation of sulfides in the coarser fractions can be a reason for the loss of copper in these fractions. The presented results of final tailings confirm the main cause of metal losses in tailings to be very complex mineral properties.

KEYWORDS:

• Flotation tailings
• flotation
• copper ore
• automated mineralogy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

The research presented in the paper is partially financially supported by the project entitled “Development of highly effective technology of Polish copper ore beneficiation”, which is carried out by the consortium with the Wroclaw University of Science and Technology as leader [Agreements Nos. NCBR: CuBR/I/7/NCBR/2015 and KGHM Polska Miedz SA: KGHM-BZ-U-1023-2015]. Financial support by Statutory Research grants [0402/0044/18 and 049U/0098/19] is also greatly acknowledged.