Uptake of trace elements by baryte during copper ore processing: A case study from Olympic Dam, South Australia

2019 ◽  
Vol 135 ◽  
pp. 83-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle S. Schmandt ◽  
Nigel J. Cook ◽  
Kathy Ehrig ◽  
Sarah Gilbert ◽  
Benjamin P. Wade ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Copper Ore ◽  
Ore Processing ◽  
Olympic Dam

scholarly journals Multivariate Statistical Analysis of Trace Elements in Pyrite: Prediction, Bias and Artefacts in Defining Mineral Signatures

Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marija Dmitrijeva ◽  
Nigel J. Cook ◽  
Kathy Ehrig ◽  
Cristiana L. Ciobanu ◽  
Andrew V. Metcalfe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Trace Element ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Large Datasets ◽  
Ore Deposits ◽  
Partial Replacement ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Olympic Dam

Pyrite is the most common sulphide in a wide range of ore deposits and well known to host numerous trace elements, with implications for recovery of valuable metals and for generation of clean concentrates. Trace element signatures of pyrite are also widely used to understand ore-forming processes. Pyrite is an important component of the Olympic Dam Cu–U–Au–Ag orebody, South Australia. Using a multivariate statistical approach applied to a large trace element dataset derived from analysis of random pyrite grains, trace element signatures in Olympic Dam pyrite are assessed. Pyrite is characterised by: (i) a Ag–Bi–Pb signature predicting inclusions of tellurides (as PC1); and (ii) highly variable Co–Ni ratios likely representing an oscillatory zonation pattern in pyrite (as PC2). Pyrite is a major host for As, Co and probably also Ni. These three elements do not correlate well at the grain-scale, indicating high variability in zonation patterns. Arsenic is not, however, a good predictor for invisible Au at Olympic Dam. Most pyrites contain only negligible Au, suggesting that invisible gold in pyrite is not commonplace within the deposit. A minority of pyrite grains analysed do, however, contain Au which correlates with Ag, Bi and Te. The results are interpreted to reflect not only primary patterns but also the effects of multi-stage overprinting, including cycles of partial replacement and recrystallisation. The latter may have caused element release from the pyrite lattice and entrapment as mineral inclusions, as widely observed for other ore and gangue minerals within the deposit. Results also show the critical impact on predictive interpretations made from statistical analysis of large datasets containing a large percentage of left-censored values (i.e., those falling below the minimum limits of detection). The treatment of such values in large datasets is critical as the number of these values impacts on the cluster results. Trimming of datasets to eliminate artefacts introduced by left-censored data should be performed with caution lest bias be unintentionally introduced. The practice may, however, reveal meaningful correlations that might be diluted using the complete dataset.

Postmagmatic magnetite–apatite assemblage in mafic intrusions: a case study of dolerite at Olympic Dam, South Australia

2015 ◽  
Vol 171 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga B. Apukhtina ◽  
Vadim S. Kamenetsky ◽  
Kathy Ehrig ◽  
Maya B. Kamenetsky ◽  
Jocelyn McPhie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Australia ◽  
Mafic Intrusions ◽  
Olympic Dam

scholarly journals A Multi-platform Microanalysis Approach to Unravelling Geological Problems: a Case Study from Olympic Dam South Australia

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (S2) ◽  
pp. 2432-2433
Author(s):  
A.K.O. Netting ◽  
B.P. Wade ◽  
M.R. Verdugo-Ihl ◽  
L. Courtney-Davies ◽  
C.L. Ciobanu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Australia ◽  
Olympic Dam

Defining IOCG signatures through compositional data analysis: A case study of lithogeochemical zoning from the Olympic Dam deposit, South Australia

2019 ◽  
Vol 105 ◽  
pp. 86-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marija Dmitrijeva ◽  
Kathy J. Ehrig ◽  
Cristiana L. Ciobanu ◽  
Nigel J. Cook ◽  
Max R. Verdugo-Ihl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Compositional Data ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Compositional Data Analysis ◽  
Olympic Dam

scholarly journals Reprocessing of the old flotation tailings deposited on the RTB Bor tailings pond - a case study

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 333-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Velizar Stankovic ◽  
Vladan Milosevic ◽  
Darko Milicevic ◽  
Milan Gorgievski ◽  
Grozdanka Bogdanovic
Keyword(s):  
Acid Leaching ◽  
Average Concentration ◽  
Copper Removal ◽  
Copper Ore ◽  
Flotation Process ◽  
Flotation Tailings ◽  
Tailings Pond ◽  
Total Copper ◽  
Ore Processing

Flotation waste, which was produced through seventy years of copper ore processing in RTB Bor, Serbia, is deposited in a flotation tailings pond. In total, almost 26.4 Mt could be considered as available for eventual reprocessing and reuse. Chemical analysis has shown that an average concentration of targeted metals in the tailings is: 0.183% Cu, 0.35 g/t Au and 2.17 g/t Ag. The tailings contain 60 to 70% of SiO2, 10 to 17% of Al2O3 and pyrite 5 to 8%. Flotation tailings reprocessing consisted of acid leaching followed by re-flotation of the leach residue. Leaching of the tailings resulted in leach liquors containing Cu2+ ions from 50 to 580 ppm. The average copper removal degree in the leaching stage was 70%. After re-flotation, the total copper removal degree reached 83 to 85%. Sulphur removal degree reached 77%. Sulphur concentration in the treated tailings was reduced almost 5 times compared to the inlet concentration. An equivalent amount of iron was also reduced through the flotation process. Concentration of total copper was reduced 3 times.

scholarly journals Detection of Trace Elements/Isotopes in Olympic Dam Copper Concentrates by nanoSIMS

Minerals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Rollog ◽  
Nigel J. Cook ◽  
Paul Guagliardo ◽  
Kathy Ehrig ◽  
Cristiana L. Ciobanu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Trace Element ◽  
High Surface ◽  
High Surface Area ◽  
Trace Element Analysis ◽  
Mineral Deposit ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Critical Information ◽  
Ore Processing ◽  
Olympic Dam

Many analytical techniques for trace element analysis are available to the geochemist and geometallurgist to understand and, ideally, quantify the distribution of trace and minor components in a mineral deposit. Bulk trace element data are useful, but do not provide information regarding specific host minerals—or lack thereof, in cases of surface adherence or fracture fill—for each element. The CAMECA nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometer (nanoSIMS) 50 and 50L instruments feature ultra-low minimum detection limits (to parts-per-billion) and sub-micron spatial resolution, a combination not found in any other analytical platform. Using ore and copper concentrate samples from the Olympic Dam mining-processing operation, South Australia, we demonstrate the application of nanoSIMS to understand the mineralogical distribution of potential by-product and detrimental elements. Results show previously undetected mineral host assemblages and elemental associations, providing geochemists with insight into mineral formation and elemental remobilization—and metallurgists with critical information necessary for optimizing ore processing techniques. Gold and Te may be seen associated with brannerite, and Ag prefers chalcocite over bornite. Rare earth elements may be found in trace quantities in fluorapatite and fluorite, which may report to final concentrates as entrained liberated or gangue-sulfide composite particles. Selenium, As, and Te reside in sulfides, commonly in association with Pb, Bi, Ag, and Au. Radionuclide daughters of the 238U decay chain may be located using nanoSIMS, providing critical information on these trace components that is unavailable using other microanalytical techniques. These radionuclides are observed in many minerals but seem particularly enriched in uranium minerals, some phosphates and sulfates, and within high surface area minerals. The nanoSIMS has proven a valuable tool in determining the spatial distribution of trace elements and isotopes in fine-grained copper ore, providing researchers with crucial evidence needed to answer questions of ore formation, ore alteration, and ore processing.

scholarly journals Investigation into the Cause of Iron-Related Clogging of Groundwater Bores Used for Viticulture in the Limestone Coast, South Australia

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 683
Author(s):  
Birte Moser ◽  
Meruyert Beknazarova ◽  
Harriet Whiley ◽  
Thilini Piushani Keerthirathne ◽  
Nikki Harrington ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Clear Correlation ◽  
Problem Analysis ◽  
Persistent Problem ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Iron Manganese

Iron-related clogging of boreholes, pumps and dripper lines is a significant and costly problem for irrigators worldwide. The primary cause of iron-related clogging is still debated. Previous studies have described complex interactions between biological clogging and inorganic iron/manganese oxide precipitation. This case study examined groundwater bores used for viticulture irrigation in the Limestone Coast region, a highly productive wine growing area in the SE of South Australia. Iron clogging of bore screens, pumps and dripper systems has been a persistent problem in the region and the issue is perceived to be growing, with irrigators suggesting the widespread introduction of iron-related bacteria (IRB) through drilling equipment to be the root cause of the problem. Analysis of the groundwater microbiology and inorganic chemistry found no apparent correlation between the presence of IRB and the clogging status of wells. In fact, IRB proved to be widespread throughout the limestone aquifer. However, a clear correlation could be found between clogging affected bores and the redox potential of the groundwater with the most severely affected bores strongly oversaturated in respect to iron oxide minerals. Elevated dissolved concentrations of Fe(II) thereby tended to be found in deeper bores, which also were generally more recently drilled. Following decades of less than average rainfall, a tendency to deepen bores in response to widespread declines in water levels has been documented for the SE of South Australia. The gradually widening clogging problem in the region is postulated to be related to the changes in climate in the region, with irrigators increasingly driven to rely on deeper, anoxic iron-rich groundwater resources.

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