Effect of different grinding media composition on the flotation of a PGM ore. (1st August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Song, Z.G.; Corin, K.C.; Wiese, J.G.; O'Connor, C.T.
• Is Part Of: Minerals engineering. Volume 124(2018)
• Page Start: 74
• Page End: 76
• Publication Date: 2018-08-01
• Subjects: PGM -- Grinding media -- Flotation -- Chromite; Mines and mineral resources -- Periodicals; Ressources minérales -- Périodiques; Mines and mineral resources; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 622
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mineng.2018.05.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0892-6875

Abstract

Highlights: The grades and recoveries of PGE and chromite were dependent on media type. Ceramic media produced the highest PGE recovery and the lowest Cr2 O3 recovery. Stainless steel balls (SS) produced the lowest PGE recovery and highest Cr2 O3 grade and recovery. Abstract: In the present study, the effect of using different grinding media, viz, ceramic (CE), forged steel (FS), 15% Cr steel (CS), stainless steel (SS) and a mixture of stainless steel and 15% Cr steel balls (50:50) (SS + CS) were investigated using a Platinum Group Metal (PGM) ore, UG2. Test work was conducted using a laboratory scale horizontal tumbling mill and a batch flotation cell. Power draw to achieve a specific P80 was determined for each media type. The different flotation behaviour obtained from different media is discussed in terms of particle size distribution, water recovery, solid recovery and valuable mineral recovery. pH, Redox potential (Eh) and dissolved oxygen (DO) level were also measured. Grinding products of five different media produced the same solids and water recovery, but the grades and recoveries of PGM and chromite were different. Grinding products of ceramic media had the best flotation performance, which produced the highest PGM recovery and the lowest Cr2 O3 recovery. Meanwhile grinding products of stainless steel balls (SS) produced the lowest PGM recovery and highest Cr2 O3 grade and recovery in the concentrates. The paper proposes possible reasons to explain these observations.