Industrial test of the centrifugal jigger for gravity concentration of non-ferrous and precious metal ore

Abstract

The objective of the work has been to study the centrifugal-jigging method of gold ore concentration as a breakthrough method that reduces the valuable mineral losses in gravity concentration and increases the concentrate grade. Within the framework of the study, the main factors influencing the centrifugal-jigging concentration process, as well as the ways of improving the key parameters of the process, have been investigated. The full-scale testing of the centrifugal jigger has been carried out by the previously developed procedure, in the operation conditions of the gold-processing plants 1 and 2, with additional gold recovery from the plant 1 tailings (P80 0.074 mm) and from the two-stage hydro-cyclone system overflow of the plant 2. The study has shown that gold сan be additionally recovered from the cyanidation tailings and two-stage hydro-cyclone systems by jigging in a centrifugal field. The main factors influencing the centrifugal-jigging separation are the jigging chamber rotational speed, the pulsation frequency and amplitude of the movable cone, and the underscreen-water pressure. The centrifugal jigging concentrator has been patented. The results of the study suggest that in certain cases, jigging in a centrifugal field is a preferential gravity concentration method at the pre-concentration and control stages. For the method to be used at the main stages of the operating plants, the concentrate yield should be reduced to 5-10 %.