Assessing a two-stage heap leaching process for Platreef flotation concentrate

Samples of low-grade flotation concentrate derived from Platreef ore were treated with a two-stage heap leach process to determine the potential to run this process parallel to the convential concentrate–smelt–refine process for extracting platinum group metals, thereby adding value to the conventia...

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Main Authors: Mwase, James, Petersen, Jochen, Eksteen, Jacques
Format: Journal Article
Published: Elsevier Science BV 2012
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/45892
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author Mwase, James
Petersen, Jochen
Eksteen, Jacques
author_facet Mwase, James
Petersen, Jochen
Eksteen, Jacques
author_sort Mwase, James
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Samples of low-grade flotation concentrate derived from Platreef ore were treated with a two-stage heap leach process to determine the potential to run this process parallel to the convential concentrate–smelt–refine process for extracting platinum group metals, thereby adding value to the convential process via economic treatment of low-grade materials. Using bench-scale columns, a first stage bioleach achieved extractions of 91.1% Cu, 98.5% Ni and 83.5% Co in a space of 88 days at a temperature of 65 °C. Samples of residual concentrate from this process were similarly treated via columns in a second stage leach using cyanide solution, achieving extractions of up to 96.5% Pd, 97.5% Au and 35% Pt in a space of 45 days at 50 °C. Mineral liberation analysis of a sample of concentrate from the cyanide leach experiment revealed that the bulk of the remaining Pt was in the form of sperrylite which appeared to leach very slowly in cyanide solution. Further to this, analysis of the cyanide leachate solution showed high levels of thiocyanate.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-458922018-03-29T09:07:45Z Assessing a two-stage heap leaching process for Platreef flotation concentrate Mwase, James Petersen, Jochen Eksteen, Jacques Base metals Platinum group metals Platreef Heap leaching Samples of low-grade flotation concentrate derived from Platreef ore were treated with a two-stage heap leach process to determine the potential to run this process parallel to the convential concentrate–smelt–refine process for extracting platinum group metals, thereby adding value to the convential process via economic treatment of low-grade materials. Using bench-scale columns, a first stage bioleach achieved extractions of 91.1% Cu, 98.5% Ni and 83.5% Co in a space of 88 days at a temperature of 65 °C. Samples of residual concentrate from this process were similarly treated via columns in a second stage leach using cyanide solution, achieving extractions of up to 96.5% Pd, 97.5% Au and 35% Pt in a space of 45 days at 50 °C. Mineral liberation analysis of a sample of concentrate from the cyanide leach experiment revealed that the bulk of the remaining Pt was in the form of sperrylite which appeared to leach very slowly in cyanide solution. Further to this, analysis of the cyanide leachate solution showed high levels of thiocyanate. 2012 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/45892 10.1016/j.hydromet.2012.09.007 Elsevier Science BV restricted
spellingShingle Base metals
Platinum group metals
Platreef
Heap leaching
Mwase, James
Petersen, Jochen
Eksteen, Jacques
Assessing a two-stage heap leaching process for Platreef flotation concentrate
title Assessing a two-stage heap leaching process for Platreef flotation concentrate
title_full Assessing a two-stage heap leaching process for Platreef flotation concentrate
title_fullStr Assessing a two-stage heap leaching process for Platreef flotation concentrate
title_full_unstemmed Assessing a two-stage heap leaching process for Platreef flotation concentrate
title_short Assessing a two-stage heap leaching process for Platreef flotation concentrate
title_sort assessing a two-stage heap leaching process for platreef flotation concentrate
topic Base metals
Platinum group metals
Platreef
Heap leaching
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/45892