Process Equipment for Copper Ore Beneficiation

First, copper ore dressing development background

The development of copper ore dressing is closely related to the improvement of process and equipment technology. Domestic emphasis on copper ore dressing technology, aimed at improving the recovery rate of copper in minerals, reducing impurities and environmental pollution, and maximising economic benefits. This prompts the beneficiation plant to continuously update equipment, optimise the process.

Second, the main beneficiation equipment and process flow

(1) Beneficiation principles and equipment selection

Beneficiation follows the principle of multi-crushing, wear and tear reduction, life extension, giving priority to the use of high-efficiency, environmentally friendly, energy-saving equipment, and optimise the crushing and grinding process.

(2) Crushing equipment

‘More crushing and less grinding’ is the main method of ore dressing crushing in China, but there is a gap with the international advanced level. For this reason, on the one hand, the introduction of foreign equipment, such as 7SHD short-head type Simon crusher; on the other hand, technical innovation, modification of the cavity to reduce the product size. Compound swing jaw crusher is gradually popularised, and new type of fine jaw crusher has been developed in China, such as PEWD400×750 type. In addition, based on the theory of layer crushing roller press is developing well, and the domestic roller press has high efficiency, energy saving and low wear rate.

(3) Grinding equipment

1. ultra-coarse grinding large particle size rougher tailing

Grinding fineness affects the efficiency of mineral processing plant, some of the domestic equipment is old. According to the distribution of copper ore mosaic, grinding fineness of about 0.5mm is more appropriate. For example, Shougang beneficiation plant applies this technology, the tailing rate is low and the concentrate grade is high.

2. Ball mill

The old ball mill is difficult to meet the large-scale production, Anshan Iron and Steel introduced the Swedish large ball mill to improve the production efficiency. Ball mill magnetic liner has many advantages, but there are also problems such as frame loosening and liner falling off.

Third, copper oxide ore flotation technology

(1) The nature of copper oxide ore and selection difficulties

1. The nature of copper oxide minerals

Common copper oxide minerals include malachite, silica malachite and so on. Malachite is easily soluble in acid, and can be flown in various ways; silicon malachite is highly hydrophilic, difficult to select and greatly affected by pH value; the flotation conditions of blue chalcopyrite are similar to that of malachite; chalcopyrite has great differences in flotation; other minerals are slightly soluble or soluble in water, and it is advisable to use the leaching method for high content. According to the floatability can be divided into three types of ores.

2. Difficulties in the sorting of copper oxide ores

Copper oxide ore sorting is affected by a variety of factors. Mineral hydrophilic, hydration film hindering the role of the collector; accompanied by vein minerals so that the poor selectivity of the agent; sludge consumption of chemicals, reduce the floatability of minerals.

(2) Direct flotation of copper oxide ore

1. Fatty acid type collector

Applicable to some simple copper oxide ore, in the weak acidic medium is good. But the selectivity is poor, the future need to improve the selectivity of the agent.

2. hydroxamic acid and its derivatives

Through chemical adsorption to improve the floatability, good selectivity, environmental protection, but the price is expensive. Low price and environmental protection agent should be developed.

3. amine trapping agent

The effect of processing part of the copper oxide ore is good, but there are shortcomings such as weak solubility. It can be used in conjunction with anionic recovery agent to develop better performance agents.

4. Combination of trapping agent

Different combinations of systems have synergistic effect of trapping, but mostly in the laboratory stage, need to be targeted research and development.

(3) Sulphide flotation of copper oxide ore

Sulfide flotation first add sulfiding agent to change the mineral surface properties, commonly used sodium sulfide. However, the effect is not good for complex ores, can be used to segment sulfide and ammonium salt to strengthen. At present, the mechanism of ammonium salt is unknown, need further research.

(4) Containing different vein minerals of copper oxide ore flotation

1. High mud content copper oxide ore

High mud content increases the difficulty of flotation, and the impact of sludge. There are different advantages and disadvantages of desliming methods, new chemicals and optimised process can improve the beneficiation indexes, and green and efficient chemicals should be developed.

2. Copper oxide ores containing iron veinstone minerals

It is difficult to sort out the copper oxide coated with iron minerals. Combined collector and mixed flotation scheme is effective, and the future should optimise the system and process of chemicals.

3. Copper oxide ore containing siliceous veinstone minerals

The veinstone is quartz, difficult to sort. New type of trapping agent and combined process of metallurgy and beneficiation are effective, and it is necessary to research and develop high-efficiency chemicals and simplify the process.

4. Copper oxide ores containing calcareous chalcopyrite minerals

High calcite content, difficult to sort. Asynchronous sorting - leaching process is effective, new chemicals should be developed to improve the selectivity.

Conclusion and Prospect

Flotation recovery of copper oxide ores is crucial to improve resource utilisation. Different types of copper ores should adopt appropriate processes. In flotation, the sulphide-flotation process and specific chemicals are commonly used, while the reverse flotation decalcification and asynchronous separation processes are advantageous. In the future, there is a need to develop highly selective chemicals, shorten the process flow, and achieve accurate capture, energy saving, environmental protection and efficient resource utilisation.