(Special session) Basic Studies on mining and smelting technologies for metals resources［Tue. Sep 12, 2023 PM Room-1］

[1101-08-07] Investigation of the flotation reprocessing conditions for cobalt and copper recovery from mine tailings

○Refilwe Sandra Magwaneng¹, Tatsuhiro Ono¹, Shuichi Kuwaba¹, Michihiro Akahori¹, Taro Kamiya¹, Koichi Hashimoto¹, Anita Parbhakar-Fox², Vladimir Lisitsin³ (1. Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security, Japan, 2. Sustainable Minerals Institute, University of Queensland, Australia, 3. Geological Survey of Queensland, Australia)

Chairperson: Koichi Hashimoto (JOGMEC)

Keywords:Cobalt, Copper, Flotation, Mine tailings

The increasing interest for the recovery of cobalt in a world towards a carbon neutral society can be noted. In Australia, effluents from flotation of copper are discharged to the mine tailings ponds. These tailings consist of considerable amounts of metals of interest that accompany gangue minerals. Typically, the concentration grades of the minerals of interest in the mine tailings such as cobalt and copper may be from >0.05% which until recently could be considered as low grade, but viable for secondary processing. The current research aims at the recovery of cobalt and copper through the reprocessing of different mine tailing feeds such as those that have been in longer storage from mine tailing dams and those from current operational processing facilities. The mineralogical studies indicate that the cobalt exists in close association with pyrite, therefore a pyrite-cobalt mineral is target, and copper is associated with only chalcopyrite. The mineralogy of the mine tailings is less complex and highly liberated hence the focus of the cobalt and copper recovery is on the reagents (types and dosage) and pH that enable a higher cobalt (65%) and copper (44%) recovery. The concentrate grade (0.4% cobalt and 0.5% copper) gives a conclusion that the reprocessing of tailings is an attractive practice that could be important in adding to the value chain supply of battery metals.