Pertti Lamberg

Training Simulator for Flotation Process Operators

Abstract This paper presents a novel simulation concept for operator training in the field of mineral processing. The simulations are carried out with a dynamic process simulator HSC Sim® of HSC Chemistry® developed by Outotec Research Oy. The simulator is fitted to mimic an existing copper flotation circuit as accurately as possible by using metallurgical models and then integrated into a larger simulation environment, providing the operator trainees a realistic experience of the process. The simulation environment is designed to be scalable and very flexible, allowing many different usage scenarios and thus aiding in the transfer of the tacit knowledge from operator generation to the next. Concurrent work is being done on higher level analysis, utilizing the results reported in this paper.

Lithology and mineralisation types of the Rockliden Zn–Cu massive sulphide deposit, north-central Sweden : Implications for ore processing

Abstract The Rockliden Zn–Cu volcanic-hosted massive sulphide deposit is located approximately 150 km south of the Skellefte ore district, north-central Sweden. Most of the mineralisation is found at the altered stratigraphic top of the felsic volcanic rocks, which are intercalated in the metamorphosed siliciclastic sedimentary rocks of the Bothnian Basin. Mafic dykes cross-cut all lithological units, including the massive sulphides, at the Rockliden deposit. The relatively high Sb grade of some parts of the mineralisation results in challenges in handling of the Cu–Pb concentrate in the smelting process. The aim of this study is to characterise different host rock units and ore types by their main mineralogy, as well as by their trace mineralogy with focus on the Sb-bearing minerals. Ore types are distinguished largely on the basis of their main base-metal bearing sulphide minerals, which are chalcopyrite and sphalerite. Several Sb-bearing minerals are documented and differences in the trace mineralogy between rock and ore types are highlighted. Based on the qualitative ore characterisation, rock- and ore-intrinsic parameters, such as the pyrite, pyrrhotite and magnetite content of the massive sulphides, the trace mineralogy and its association with base-metal sulphide minerals, are outlined and discussed in terms of relevance to the ore processing.

Flotation Model Based on Floatability Component Approach PGE Minerals Case

Abstract This paper discusses how modelling and simulation can be used in predicting the recovery of platinum group elements (PGE) in flotation process. In platinum group ores, commonly a floatability component approach is used where each element is divided in model fitting to two or three components. This approach has the problem of breaking the natural association of platinum group element in minerals, floatability components do not have any physical meaning and as the model fitting problem is ill-posed, comparison of different tests by floatability component parameters is difficult. To avoid this modelling and simulation here is based on minerals. Additionally, the mass proportion of fast floating material was fixed on the basis of mineralogical study and results achieved in laboratory flotation tests. Finally as the rougher and cleaning flotation was performed in fixed chemical regime the model fitting was done for both rougher and cleaning stages simultaneously using cascade model. It was found in this way a number of model fitted parameters decreased giving possibility to compare tests results easier but still reaching good fit between observed, modelled and simulated data. The developed model was used in screening the best flotation conditions and to forecast the metallurgical performance in full scale process.

Process simulations in mineralogy-based geometallurgy of iron ores

Mineral processing simulation models can be classified based on the level that feed stream to the plant and unit models are described. The levels of modelling in this context are: bulk, mineral or ...

Particle-based Sb distribution model for Cu–Pb flotation as part of geometallurgical modelling at the polymetallic Rockliden deposit, north-central Sweden

The polymetallic Cu–Zn ore of the Rockliden massive sulphide deposit in the Skellefte District in north-central Sweden contains a number of deleterious elements in relevant concentrations. Of particular concern is the amount of antimony (Sb) reporting to the Cu–Pb concentrate. The aim of this study was to compare different model options to simulate the distribution of Sb minerals in a laboratory flotation test based on different degrees of details in the mineralogical information of the flotation feed. Experimental data obtained from four composites were used for the modelling and simulation. The following different simulation levels were run (sorted from least to highest level of detail of their mineralogical information): chemical assays, unsized bulk mineralogy, sized bulk mineralogy and particle information. It was shown that recoveries simulated based on bulk mineralogy are mostly within the error margin acceptable in the exploration stage of the Rockliden deposit. Unexpected high deviation in the simulation using particle information from the original recovery has been partly attributed to the fact that recovery of non-liberated particles cannot be modelled appropriately in the present version of the modelling and simulation software. It is expected that the implementation of full particle information in simulation will improve the Sb distribution model for the mineralogically complex Rockliden deposit.