This research is aimed at studying the amenability of lperindo lode gold deposit to froth flotation using convectional and locally-sourced frother and collector, leading to the comparison of their recovery efficiency. The high demand for metals have resulted in the need for large throughput plants to deliver increased productivity, increased utilization and reduced operational cost. The 315 Exploration Licenses issued in 2016, in respect of the priority minerals identified by Nigeria government, gold top the list. It has been observed that the gross domestic products of many countries of the world are directly related to the quantum of metal products produced or consumed by those nations and Nigeria deserves to be among gold producing nations of the world with enhanced economy because Nigeria economy cannot longer rely on petroleum. However, Nigeria will benefit immensely from the mining and processing of its gold deposits because Iperindo lode gold ore, being one of Nigeria’s gold deposits can affect our economy positively if value is added to it by way of mining and processing it efficiently.
The scope of this research encompasses sourcing for Iperindo lode gold ore from its deposit, chemical characterization of the sourced gold ore by using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), ascertaining the mineralogical assemblage and elemental composition of the gold ore using X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) while the optical microscopy analysis using scanning electron microscope (SEM/EDX). Comminution and particle size analysis of the gold ore was carried out using the following sieve sizes: +500, -500+355, -355+250, -250+180, -180+125, -125+90, -90+63, -63+45 and -45 µm. Froth flotation process using the locally sourced frother and collector follow by the characterization of the concentrate and tailing to determine the grade of gold recovered at each stages and finally, evaluation of the results.
Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Orientation of the Proposed Study
1.1.1 World production of gold
1.1.2 Properties of gold
1.1.3 Uses of gold
1.2 Statement of Research Problem
1.3 Aim of Research
1.4 Objective of the Research
1.5 Justification
1.6 Scope of the Research
2 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Geology of Gold Ore Deposits
2.1.1 Africa's gold deposits
2.1.2 Nigeria's gold deposits
2.2 Mineralogy of gold ore
2.2.1 Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS)
2.2.2 X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF)
2.2.3 X-ray diffraction (XRD)
2.2.4 Electron microscopy
2.2.5 Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS)
2.2.6 Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
2.2.7 Scanning-transmission electron microscopy (STEM)
2.2.8 Ore microscopy
2.3 Mining
2.4 Mineral Processing
2.4.1 Comminution
2.4.2 Particle size analysis
2.5 Concentration Techniques
2.5.1 Gravity concentration
2.5.2 Froth flotation
2.6 Flotation Reagents
2.6.1 Collectors
2.6.2 Oxyhydrly collectors
2.6.3 Sulfhydrly collectors
2.6.4 Locally-Sourced Reagents
2.6.5 Convectional Reagents
2.7 Frothers
2.7.1 Groundnut oil
2.7.2 Methyl iso-butyl carbinol
2.8 Modifier
3 MATERIALS AND METHOD
3.1 Materials
3.2 Method
3.2.1 Sample collection and preparation
3.2.2 Chemical analysis of Iperindo lode gold ore sample
3.2.3 Mineralogical analysis of Iperindo lode gold ore
3.2.4 Preparation of collector
3.2.5 Froth flotation experiment for locally-sourced reagent
3.2.6 Froth flotation experiment for convectional reagent
4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Chemical Analysis of Iperindo Lode Gold Ore
4.2 Mineralogical Analysis of Iperindo Lode Ore
4.4 The Effect of Pulp Density on the Recovery of Gold Concentrate
4.5 The Effect of Collector Concentration on the Recovery of Iperindo Lode Gold Concentrate
4.6 The Effect of Pulp pH on the Recovery of Iperindo Lode Gold Concentrate
4.7 The Effect of Impeller Speed on the Recovery of Iperindo Lode Gold Concentrate
4.8 The Optimum Recovery of Gold from Iperindo Lode Deposit at Vary Pulp Density Concentration of Collector, Pulp pH and Application of Impeller Speed
5 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Conclusion
5.2 Recommendation
5.3 Contribution to Knowledge
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This thesis investigates the effectiveness of using locally-sourced reagents (groundnut oil derivatives) compared to conventional chemical reagents for the froth flotation of gold ore from the Iperindo lode. The primary goal is to determine if these local alternatives can improve processing efficiency, reduce costs, and provide an environmentally safer gold recovery method in Nigeria.
- Chemical and mineralogical characterization of Iperindo gold ore.
- Comparative analysis of locally-sourced versus conventional flotation reagents.
- Evaluation of optimal operating parameters: pulp density, pH, collector concentration, and impeller speed.
- Development of sustainable mineral processing routes for the Nigerian mining sector.
Excerpt from the Book
2.5.2 Froth flotation
Froth flotation is defined as a physico-chemical process which exploits the differences in the electrochemical properties of mineral surfaces, that is, between hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces, which either occur naturally or are artificially induced by chemical reagents (Yuan et al, 1996 and Bulatovic, 2010). In the flotation stage air bubbles generated in a flotation machine carry selected minerals to the top of the cell where they are collected for further processing. Particles having sufficient hydrophophibicity will be attached to the air bubbles while hydrophilic particles remain in the pulp (Yarar, 2000) and change of water quality can affect positively or negatively the flotation recovery (Liu et al., 2013). Hence, in any flotation pulp all three phases, solid, liquid and gaseous are present. The properties of the bulk phases influence determine the characteristics of the interfaces formed between the adjoining phases (Shean and Cillier, 2011). Applications of flotation method are widely used to separate different mineral particles ranging from sizes 10 to 100 μm. First, the ore is crushed and ground. Then the slurry is treated with flotation chemicals in a conditioning stage (Allan and Woodcock, 2001).
Many studies on the interactions between particles and bubbles, adsorption of reagents on minerals, novel flotation reagents, development of flotation machines and columns have been conducted with the aim of improving flotation efficiency and recovery. The rate of flotation is dependent of large number of variables that can be grouped in three major components according to Lourens (2015) are chemical, operational and equipment variables. However, the optimization and control of these variables is keys to the froth flotation process.
Chapter Summaries
1 INTRODUCTION: Outlines the importance of the solid minerals industry to Nigeria's economy, the current state of gold mining, and the research problem regarding traditional, environmentally unfriendly extraction methods.
2 LITERATURE REVIEW: Examines the geological characteristics of gold deposits in Nigeria and Africa, and provides a theoretical overview of mineralogy, mining techniques, and froth flotation principles including collector and frother chemistry.
3 MATERIALS AND METHOD: Describes the materials sourced for the study and the specific experimental procedures, including sample preparation, chemical analysis, and the methodology for conducting froth flotation tests using both conventional and local reagents.
4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Presents the findings of the chemical and mineralogical analysis and evaluates the impact of various flotation parameters (pulp density, pH, collector concentration, impeller speed) on gold recovery and grade.
5 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Summarizes the study's findings, confirming the viability of groundnut oil-based reagents as a sustainable alternative, and offers recommendations for future research.
Keywords
Gold mining, Iperindo lode, Froth flotation, Locally-sourced reagents, Groundnut oil, Potassium amyl xanthate, Pulp density, Impeller speed, Mineral processing, Gold recovery, Sustainable mining, Chemical characterization, Mineralogical analysis, Gold concentrate, Hydrometallurgy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
This work focuses on evaluating the amenability of Iperindo lode gold ore to froth flotation, specifically testing locally-sourced groundnut oil derivatives as a replacement for expensive, imported conventional flotation reagents.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The themes include the geological and mineralogical characterization of the Iperindo gold deposit, the theory of flotation reagent interaction, and the optimization of operational parameters to achieve sustainable gold recovery.
What is the main objective of this study?
The primary aim is to establish the recovery efficiency of local reagents and compare their performance against conventional reagents like xanthates to promote more affordable and environmentally friendly mining in Nigeria.
What scientific methods were employed?
The study utilized Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) for chemical analysis, X-ray Diffractometry (XRD) for mineralogical assemblage, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS) to analyze the ore's surface morphology.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body details the experimental setup for froth flotation, systematically varying parameters such as pulp pH, pulp density, collector concentration, and impeller speed to identify optimum conditions for maximum gold recovery.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Gold mining, Froth flotation, Locally-sourced reagents, Iperindo lode, Sustainable mining, and Mineral processing optimization.
Why is groundnut oil investigated as a reagent?
Groundnut oil is investigated because it is readily available, affordable, and contains fatty acids that can be chemically converted into effective collectors, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional organosulfur reagents.
What are the significant experimental results regarding pH?
The study found that the optimum pH for gold recovery using groundnut oil-based reagents is 9.0, whereas conventional xanthate-based reagents performed differently, achieving higher recovery at pH 10.
- Citar trabajo
- Yomi Adetula (Autor), 2021, Effect of convectional and locally sourced reagents on the floatation of iperindo gold bearing ore, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1060138
