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
- CHAPTER ONE
- 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
- CHAPTER TWO
- 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 Modifiers
- CHAPTER THREE
- 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
- CHAPTER FOUR
- 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
- 4.1 Chemical Analysis of Iperindo Lode Gold Ore
- 4.2 Mineralogical Analysis of Iperindo Lode Ore
- 4.3 Chemical Analysis of Particle Size Fractions
- 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
- CHAPTER FIVE
- 5 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
- 5.1 Conclusion
- 5.2 Recommendation
- 5.3 Contribution to Knowledge
- Evaluation of conventional vs. locally-sourced reagents in gold ore flotation.
- Chemical and mineralogical characterization of Iperindo lode gold ore.
- Optimization of froth flotation parameters (pH, pulp density, collector concentration, impeller speed) for maximum gold recovery.
- Assessment of gold recovery efficiency at different particle sizes.
- Economic and environmental implications of using locally-sourced reagents.
Objectives and Key Themes
The main objective of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of both conventional and locally-sourced frothing and collecting agents on the floatability of Iperindo lode gold ore. The study aimed to compare the recovery efficiency of gold using these different reagents and ultimately determine the viability of locally sourced materials as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative.
Chapter Summaries
Chapter One: Introduction: This chapter introduces the importance of the solid minerals industry in Nigeria's economy, highlighting the country's potential but also its technological and industrial backwardness in adding value to its mineral resources. It focuses on gold deposits in Nigeria, particularly the Iperindo lode gold deposit, and the challenges associated with conventional gold processing methods (cyanidation and amalgamation). The chapter states the research problem, which is the need for an environmentally friendly and cost-effective method for processing Iperindo lode gold, and outlines the research aim and objectives. The justification emphasizes the economic and environmental benefits of developing efficient and sustainable gold processing methods, highlighting the potential for job creation and economic growth. Finally, the chapter details the scope of the research, outlining the various stages of sample collection, preparation, analysis, and froth flotation experiments.
Chapter Two: Literature Review: This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the existing literature relevant to the research. It covers the geology of gold ore deposits, focusing on lode and placer deposits, and discusses the gold deposits in Africa and Nigeria specifically. A detailed explanation of various mineralogical analysis techniques (AAS, XRF, XRD, SEM/EDS, TEM, STEM, ore microscopy) used to characterize the ore is provided. The chapter then delves into mining techniques, mineral processing methods, and different concentration techniques, with a particular focus on froth flotation. It discusses flotation reagents (collectors, frothers, modifiers), including both conventional and locally sourced options like groundnut oil and potassium amyl xanthate. The chapter concludes with a detailed analysis of frothers, focusing on groundnut oil and methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC), providing chemical structures and their significance in flotation.
Chapter Three: Materials and Methods: This chapter describes the materials and methods used in the research. It lists the materials used, including the Iperindo lode gold ore sample, chemical reagents (conventional and locally sourced), and equipment. The methodology is outlined systematically, starting with sample collection and preparation, followed by a detailed description of each analytical technique employed (AAS, XRF, XRD, SEM/EDS). The chapter provides a step-by-step explanation of the froth flotation experiments conducted, detailing the variables tested (pulp density, pH, collector concentration, impeller speed) and the procedures followed for both conventional and locally-sourced reagents. Flowcharts are included to visually represent the processes involved.
Chapter Four: Results and Discussion: This chapter presents the results of the chemical and mineralogical analyses of the Iperindo lode gold ore, discussing the findings in detail. It includes tables and figures showing the elemental composition of the ore, the mineralogical assemblage identified through various analysis techniques, and the results of the froth flotation experiments. The discussion section analyzes the effect of each flotation parameter (pulp density, collector concentration, pH, impeller speed) on the gold recovery, explaining the trends observed and relating them to established theories in mineral processing. The chapter also analyzes the recovery differences between conventional and locally-sourced reagents, providing comparisons and interpretations.
Keywords
Iperindo lode gold ore, froth flotation, conventional reagents, locally-sourced reagents, groundnut oil, potassium amyl xanthate, methyl isobutyl carbinol, gold recovery, pulp density, pH, collector concentration, impeller speed, mineralogical analysis, chemical analysis, economic viability, environmental impact.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Study of Iperindo Lode Gold Ore Froth Flotation
What is the main objective of this research?
The main objective is to investigate the effectiveness of both conventional and locally-sourced frothing and collecting agents on the floatability of Iperindo lode gold ore. The study aims to compare the recovery efficiency of gold using these different reagents and determine the viability of locally sourced materials as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative.
What are the key themes explored in this study?
Key themes include: evaluating conventional vs. locally-sourced reagents in gold ore flotation; chemical and mineralogical characterization of Iperindo lode gold ore; optimizing froth flotation parameters (pH, pulp density, collector concentration, impeller speed) for maximum gold recovery; assessing gold recovery efficiency at different particle sizes; and examining the economic and environmental implications of using locally-sourced reagents.
What are the key chapters and their summaries?
Chapter One: Introduction introduces the research problem—the need for an environmentally friendly and cost-effective method for processing Iperindo lode gold—and outlines the research aim and objectives. Chapter Two: Literature Review provides a comprehensive overview of the geology of gold ore deposits, mineralogical analysis techniques, mining techniques, mineral processing methods, and flotation reagents, including conventional and locally sourced options. Chapter Three: Materials and Methods describes the materials and methods used in the research, including sample collection, preparation, analysis, and froth flotation experiments. Chapter Four: Results and Discussion presents and analyzes the results of the chemical and mineralogical analyses and froth flotation experiments. Chapter Five: Conclusion and Recommendations summarizes the findings, offers recommendations, and highlights the contribution to knowledge.
What specific locally-sourced and conventional reagents were used?
Locally-sourced reagents included groundnut oil. Conventional reagents included potassium amyl xanthate and methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC).
What analytical techniques were employed to characterize the ore?
The study utilized various mineralogical analysis techniques, including Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS), X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Electron Microscopy (including Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Scanning-Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM)), and Ore Microscopy.
What parameters were optimized during the froth flotation experiments?
The froth flotation experiments optimized pulp density, pH, collector concentration, and impeller speed to maximize gold recovery.
What were the key findings regarding gold recovery?
Chapter Four details the effects of pulp density, collector concentration, pulp pH, and impeller speed on the recovery of Iperindo lode gold concentrate, comparing the results obtained using conventional and locally-sourced reagents. The chapter also analyzes the recovery differences at different particle sizes.
What are the economic and environmental implications discussed in the study?
The study assesses the economic viability and environmental impact of using locally-sourced reagents as a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to conventional methods.
What is the overall contribution to knowledge?
The study contributes to knowledge by providing a comprehensive investigation into the effectiveness of locally-sourced reagents in gold ore flotation, offering insights into the optimization of froth flotation parameters for Iperindo lode gold ore, and highlighting the potential for environmentally friendly and economically viable gold processing methods in Nigeria.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Iperindo lode gold ore, froth flotation, conventional reagents, locally-sourced reagents, groundnut oil, potassium amyl xanthate, methyl isobutyl carbinol, gold recovery, pulp density, pH, collector concentration, impeller speed, mineralogical analysis, chemical analysis, economic viability, environmental impact.
- Citation du texte
- Yomi Adetula (Auteur), 2021, Effect of convectional and locally sourced reagents on the floatation of iperindo gold bearing ore, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1060138
