Abstract

Mining and processing tailings often contain significant amounts of valuable metals, that can represent valuable sources of secondary raw materials. Especially this is case in early-stage operations, in which the head grades were higher, and the tailings were higher grade. These tailings can also present a substantial risk to the environment. Serbia has copper deposits which have been exploited since ancient times, and these operations have generated large amounts of mineral processing tailings. The main objective of this study is to show how valuables can be recovered from chemically and mineralogically challenging tailings. After detailed chemical and mineralogical characterization, the laboratory scale flotation tests focused on evaluating the effect of particle size, different types of collectors, pH, and pulp potential. Based on the test work, copper and gold can be recovered effectively into pyrite concentrate.

Keywords:Copper; Gold; Mineralogy; Tailings; Flotation; Value recovery; Modeling

Abbreviations: EIT: European Institute of Innovation and Technology; RIS-CuRE: Regional Innovation Scheme-Zero Waste Recovery of Copper Tailings in the ESEE region; ICP-OES: Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry; EMC: Element-to-Mineral Conversion; XRD: X-Ray Diffractometer; SHE: Standard Hydrogen Electrode