Resumo

LUSAMBO, M.  e  MULENGA, F.K.. Empirical model of recovery response of copper sulphide circuit at Kansanshi Mine. J. S. Afr. Inst. Min. Metall. [online]. 2018, vol.118, n.11, pp.1179-1184. ISSN 2411-9717.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2411-9717/2018/v118n11a8.

Geometallurgical models are a strategic tool used primarily in planning, diagnosis, and process optimisation. This paper discusses the development of a predictive model for flotation recovery at Kansanshi concentrator in Zambia as a function of key operational parameters. Daily data for milling and flotation from the circuit processing the copper sulphide ore was analysed. This data, recorded over a period of one year of production, was collected from diverse sensors measuring semi-autogenous milling and flotation parameters. Statistical analysis showed that copper head grade, acid-insoluble, and acid-soluble copper, SAG mill throughput, ball mill load, and tonnage of feed material to the SAG mill in the -125 +63 mm size fraction contributed to the prediction power of the proposed empirical model by as much as 90%. Finally, a proposal was made for the development of a simulation model under MODSIM®, a flexible tool for mineral processing applications. This was to test the limitations of the empirical model for future refinement.

Palavras-chave : sulphide flotation; empirical model; recovery response.

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