St. Petersburg State Mining University (Russia):

Sizyakov V. M., Head of Chair, kafmetall@mail.ru

Ivanik S. A., Postgraduate, selena_4ka@inbox.ru

Fokina S. B., Postgraduate, fokina_sb@mail.ru

The purpose of oxidative pressure leaching is liberation of sulfide minerals associated with fine-dispersed gold. One of the conditions for achieving high gold recovery from such ores is superfine grinding of feed material. As is known, solid phase dispersion is one of the factors determining throughput rate and indices of pulp dewatering processes in subsequent operations. The indices of thickening of pulps, produced in autoclave treatment of metallurgical raw material, are determined by a number of factors. The present work describes the results of studies on pulps dewatering following oxidative pressure leaching of finely ground sulfide gold-containing concentrates. The main reasons for oxidized pulps sedimentation indices worsening in finely-ground raw materials treatment are determined. Superfine pulps dewatering intensification methods are proposed. Flocculant consumption effect on fine-dispersed oxidized pulps thickening process is considered. Pulp liquid phase saline content effect on dewatering processes is estimated. Thickened product L:S ratio effect on specific throughput in such pulps filtration is shown. Pulps dewatering process regimes are determined with respect to finelyground sulfide concentrates processing, providing for acceptable indices.

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