Molybdenum Concentration from 3-R Molybdenite through Comminution and Selective Pyrite Separation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36790/epistemus.v18i37.378Keywords:
Comminution, Concentration, Copper, MolybdenumAbstract
To achieve a quality molybdenum concentrate, it is crucial to have a high grade prior to flotation. Since the head grade is an uncontrollable variable, it is important to minimize its negative impact. A mineralogical and granulometric analysis of the feed enhances the understanding and improvement of the concentration process. Given indications of the presence of 3-R type molybdenite, the pre-concentration route through comminution is analyzed, which liberates this type of molybdenite from pyrite by studying 4 mineral groups with a different liberation treatment. The characterization is carried out by X-ray diffraction and fluorescence. The comminution model that fits the mineral is Rosin Rammler. The results show an improvement in molybdenum head grade by 0.10% and 3% copper through the separation of pyrite from the rest of the mineral.
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