Scientific-Production Enterprise «GeoTestServis» (Russia) (Positions and places of work are as of 2012):

Kobzev A. S., Head of Department, Ph. D. in Engineering Sciences, a.s.kobzev@gmail.com
Alushkin I. V., Process Engineer, AlushkinIV@yandex.ru
Olkhovskiy А. М., Deputy General Director, a_olh@mail.ru

Urantzvetmet (Russia):
Tolmachev G. F., General Director, tolmachev@utzm.com

Metso Minerals CIS (Russia):
Shilkin А. М., Unit Manager, alexnsh@yandex.ru

The results of pilot-scale testing of the Konevinskoye deposit (Buryatia) gold-bearing ores preliminary beneficiation by photometric sorting are presented. The tests were conducted on ore samples from stoping (average gold grade of 2.94 g/t) and ancillary mining (Au — 1.92 g/t). The ore grain size distribution and material composition were studied in the course of test work, separation criteria were determined, pilot-scale testings were perfomed and the flow sheet was developed. The obtainmed results verify the viability and effectiveness of photometric sorting application for the Konevinskoye deposit ores. Yield of reject coarse-lump tailings was 30-35 % from the total mass of sample. Tailings gold grade was 0.6–0.5 g/t. On the basis of the results of the pilot-scale testing, the process procedures were developed with a view to design preliminary beneficiation circuit for the Konevinskoye deposit ores with application of photometric sorting. Conclusions were drawn with respect to alteration of the currently recommended practice of radiometric methods of mineral separation.

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