Evaluating Process Options for Treating Some Refractory Ores
نویسنده
چکیده
A significant contemporary challenge for gold mining companies is to define economic process options for treating more complex ore bodies as the less refractory ores become depleted. Demonstration of economic treatment options allows gold companies to maintain and increase their ore reserves. The selection of options to treat a specific ore is significantly impacted by factors such as mineralogy, precious metal grades and deportment, gold to sulphur ratios and hazardous impurities. Bateman Engineering has carried out a number studies to help mining companies evaluate further the potential for developing ore bodies. This paper provides two examples of work to evaluate the potential for treating a low grade ore with high carbonate and arsenic content and an ore with high silver grade. Capital and operating cost estimates for different methods of pretreatment were prepared and these estimated costs and ore sulfide grades then used to compare the process economics.
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