1. NSC PRESSURE OXIDATION PROCESSING OF BULK COPPER AND MOLYBDENUM CONCENTRATES
Dr. Corby G. Anderson CEng FIChemE and Mr. Caelen D. Anderson
Butte, Montana USA
FLOTATION AND TAILINGS LEACH FOR MINE SITE NSC POX PRODUCTION OF COPPER CATHODE AND MOLYBDENUM TRIOXIDE FLOWSHEET
ABSTRACT
Industrially proven NSC pressure oxidation leaching will be applied to bulk copper and molydbdenum containing concentrates for mines site production of cathode copper and molybdenum trioxide. This simplifies the process plan allowing flexibility in feedstocks and subseqent CAPEX and OPEX savings. This poster illustrates the application, the proposed mine plan and flowsheet and the economic estimate outcome s of this application.
NSC APPLICATION
NSC Treated Molybdenite Concentrate
Mo, % Cu, % Re, % Fe, % TS, %
Nitrogen Species Catalyzed
Partial Oxidation Leach Conditions.
Initial Free Sulfuric Acid = 75 g/L
Reactor Working Pressure = 620 kPag
Slurry Solids Content = 25 g/L
Solids Size = 80% -10 micron
Maximum Temperature = 125o C
Nitrogen Species Concentration = 2.0 g/L
Reaction Time = 60 minutes
Mass Distribution of NSC Oxidation Leach Products.
Mo, % Cu , % Re, % Fe, % TS, %
Solution
Residue .
SUMMARY
NSC pressure oxidation of bulk copper and molybdenum concentrates along with leaching of flotation tailings appears to be a viable option based on testing and engineering studies.
PROPOSED MINE PLAN
0.45 % Cu – 80 % Sulfide and 20 % Oxide Mineralogy
% Mo With Some Precious Metals
5 M Tonnes Ore Mined Per Annum For A 15 Year Life
Open Pit Mine With 1 to 1 Stripping Ratio
Bulk Cu/Mo Sulfide Flotation and Oxide Tailings Agitated Leach
Bulk Co/Mo Concentrate Flotation : 30.1 % Cu, 1.8% Mo, 60 g/T Ag, 3g/T Au 200 Tonne Per Day Production
NSC Partial Sulfide Oxidation of Cu/Mo Concentrate
Capacity 250 Tonne Per Day
Design Incorporates Capacity for 50 Tonne Per Day of Outside Custom Mo – Cu Concentrate Treatment
ECONOMIC SUMMARY
30,000 Tonnes Per Annum Copper Cathode Design Capacity
1,000,000 Kg High Purity MoO3 Per Annum Design Capacity
By Product Silver Via AgCl Precipitation
By ProduConcentrate Treatment and Au and Ag Credits
ct Gold Via Non Cyanide Alkaline Sulfide Hydrometallurgy
CAPEX Estimate $ 375 M USD
OPEX $ USD per Tonne of Ore Mined and Treated
Approximate Five Year Payback Period Without Au and Ag Credits
and Outisde Custome Concentrates Considered
CONTACT
Dr. Corby G. Anderson CEng FIChemE
Butte, Montana USA 59701
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