APPENDIX C2-II TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF GEOLOGICAL, MINING ANDMETALLURGICAL
ENGINEERING

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
PLANT DESIGN PROJECT

DESIGN OF A TIN CONCENTRATOR PLANT

PROJECT N° 2021-2 ME525R

REV. BY REVIEW ISSUED BY DATE
A Project 02 H. Parra Internal Review 29/11/2021
B Project 02 H. Parra Internal Review 29/11/2021
C Project 02 H. Parra Internal Review 29/11/2021
D Project 02 H. Parra Internal Review 29/11/2021
E Project 02 H. Parra Internal Review 29/11/2021
 INDEX
1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 7
2. LOCATION AND ACCESS .................................................................................................. 7
3. MINERALOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION .......................................................................... 8
4. MINERAL CONTENT VALUE.............................................................................................. 9
5. METALLURGICAL RESULTS ........................................................................................... 10
6. DESCRIPTION OF THE METALLURGICAL PROCESS ................................................... 10
6.1. CRUSHING CIRCUIT ..................................................................................................... 10
6.2. GRAVITY CONCENTRATION CIRCUIT ........................................................................ 10
6.3. FLOTATION CIRCUIT .................................................................................................... 15
6.4. SOLID – LIQUID SEPARATION ..................................................................................... 18
7. METALURGICAL BALANCES ........................................................................................... 18
7.1. GLOBAL METALLURGICAL BALANCE ......................................................................... 18
7.2. CRUSHING BALANCE ................................................................................................... 19
7.3. GRAVITY BALANCE OF COARSE PARTICLES ............................................................ 19
7.4. GRAVITY BALANCE OF INTERMEDIATE PARTICLES ................................................ 19
7.5. GRAVITY BALANCE OF FINE PARTICLES................................................................... 19
7.6. GRAVITY BALANCE OF ULTRAFINE PARTICLES ....................................................... 20
7.7. GRAVITY CONCENTRATE - CLEANER ........................................................................ 20
7.8. FLOTATION BALANCE .................................................................................................. 20
7.8.1. SULPHIDE FLOTATION BALANCE ............................................................................ 20
7.8.2. CASSITERITE FLOTATION BALANCE ....................................................................... 20
8. LIST OF EQUIPMENTS .................................................................................................... 21
8.1. CRUSHING .................................................................................................................... 21
8.2. GRINDING ..................................................................................................................... 21
8.3. GRAVITY CONCENTRATION ........................................................................................ 21
8.4. FLOTATION ................................................................................................................... 22
8.4.1. SULPHIDE FLOTATION CIRCUIT .............................................................................. 22
8.4.2. CASSITERITE FLOTATION CIRCUIT ......................................................................... 22
8.5. DISPOSAL OF TAILINGS .............................................................................................. 23
8.5.1. TAILINGS .................................................................................................................... 23

3
 INDEX OF FIGURES

Figure 2.1. Elevation profile of the land where the plant is located ........................................... 8
Figure 2.2. Access from Juliaca to the tin plant ....................................................................... 8
Figure 6.1. Gravity concentration circuit ................................................................................ 12
Figure 6.2. Gravity concentrate cleaning circuit ..................................................................... 14
Figure 6.3. Sulphide Flotation Circuit ..................................................................................... 15
Figure 6.4. Cassiterite Flotation Circuit .................................................................................. 16
Figure 6.5. Solid – Liquid Separation ..................................................................................... 16
Figure 8.1. Tailings Process - Block Diagram. ......................................................................233

4
 INDEX OF TABLES

Table 3.1. Mineral assays........................................................................................................ 8

Table 3.2. Mineralogical Characteristic .................................................................................... 9
Table 4.1. Mineral content value.............................................................................................. 9
Table 6.1. Gravity concentration stage mass balance ........................................................... 12
Table 6.2. Gravity concentrate cleaning stage mass balance ................................................ 14
Table 6.3. Sulphide Flotation stage mass balance................................................................. 16
Table 6.4. Cassiterite Flotation stage mass balance .............................................................. 17
Table 6.5. Solid-Liquid Separation mass balance .................................................................. 17
Table 7.1. Global Metallurgical Balance................................................................................. 18
Table 7.2. Crushing Balance ................................................................................................. 19
Table 7.3. Gravity balance of coarse particles ....................................................................... 19
Table 7.4. Gravity balance of intermediate particles .............................................................. 19
Table 7.5. Gravity balance of fine particles ............................................................................ 19
Table 7.6. Gravity balance of ultrafine particles. .................................................................... 20
Table 7.7. Gravity concentrate – cleaner ............................................................................... 20
Table 7.8. Sulphide flotation balance ..................................................................................... 20
Table 7.9. Cassiterite flotation balance .................................................................................. 20
Table 7.10. Final flotation balance ......................................................................................... 21
Table 8.1. Crushing Equipment ............................................................................................. 21
Table 8.1. Grinding Equipment .............................................................................................. 21
Table 8.2. Gravity Concentration Equipment ......................................................................... 21
Table 8.3. Sulphide Flotation Equipment. .............................................................................. 22
Table 8.4. Cassiterite Flotation Equipment. ........................................................................... 22
Table 8.5. Tailing capacity. .................................................................................................... 24

5
Main Plant:

➢ Aguirre Muñoz, Diego Roberth

➢ Huaman Quispe, Eloy
➢ Fernandez Aranda Mario Antonio
➢ Chaupis Grimaldo, Brayan Maycol

Water, Energy and Environment:

➢ Mantilla Matta, Percy Jhoan

➢ Villon Cobeñas, Luis Enrique

➢ Alvarado Matos, Kevin Jair

➢ Robles Saire, Jose Antonio

6
1. INTRODUCTION

The students of the 10th semester of metallurgical engineering of the National University of
Engineering, we have developed the Greenfield project at the scoping study level of a tin plant
that has a capacity of 3000 TPD.

The tin ore processing began with a crushing stage, followed by a gravimetry concentration
stage, after which a flotation stage was carried out and finally a solid-liquid separation was
carried out to obtain the final concentrate.

The main product will be two tin concentrates, one obtained by gravimetry concentration and
the other by flotation. The concentrate obtained by gravimetry has a solids flow of 7.12 TMH
and a tin grade of 57.93%. On the other hand, the concentrate obtained by flotation has a solids
flow of 1.44 TMH and a tin grade of 51.71%. These two concentrates were mixed to obtain a
final tin concentrate that will be sold with a tin grade of 56.88%.

2. LOCATION AND ACCESS

The plant is located in Nuñoa, in the providence of Melgar, in the department of Puno. The
altitude varies between 4365 and 4428 meters above sea level, whose coordinates are:

➢ Longitude: 14°20'21.04"S.

➢ Latitude: 70°30'50.07"W.

Access to the plant is by land trough an asphalt road. Access consists of two sections, the first
from Lima to Arequipa (1040 km) and the second from Arequipa to Juliaca (280 km); from the
city of Juliaca there are two routes:

a) Juliaca – Pucara – Asillo – Tin Project

b) Juliaca – Azangaro – Tin Project

In both routes, the roads are 95% asphalted and it is necessary to travel approximately 180 km,
in this last part of the access the Interoceanic highway is used.

7
 Figure 2.1. Elevation profile of the land where the plant is located
Source: Google Earth - 24/09/2021

Figure 2.2. Access from Juliaca to the tin plant

Source: Google Earth - 24/09/2021

3. MINERALOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION

Mineral assays can be observed on the Table 3.1.

Table 3.1. Mineral assays

METAL ASSAY (%, *OZ/T) WEIGTH (TPD)

Tin 4.20 126.00
Copper 0.15 4.50
Zinc 0.01 0.30
Arsenic 0.08 2.40
Sulfide 0.87 26.10
Silver (*) 0.49 0.04

Source: Own Elaboration

8
 The mineralogical balance is observed in table 3.2

Table 3.2. Mineralogical Characteristics

SPECIFIC
MINERAL FORMULA % WEIGHT
GRAVITY
Cassiterite SnO2 5.270 7.000
Stannite Cu2FeSnS4 0.130 4.400
Arsenopyrite FeAsS 0.174 6.050
Chlorite (Mg,Fe)3(Si,Al)4O10(OH)2.(Mg,Fe)3(OH)6 19.900 2.950
Quartz SiO2 52.500 2.650
Pyrite FeS2 1.342 5.000
Silica SiO2 9.400 2.650
Tourmaline Na(Mg,Fe,Li,Mn,Al)3Al6(BO3)3Si6O18(OH,F)4 6.800 3.100
Native Bismuth Bi 0.060 9.750
Bornite Cu5FeS4 0.067 5.050
Calcite CaCO3 0.130 2.710
Chalcopyrite CuFeS2 0.133 4.350
Kaolinite Al2Si2O5(OH)4 0.070 2.615
Chalcosine Cu2S 0.012 5.650
Covelite CuS 0.013 4.700
Cuprite Cu2O 0.003 6.140
Sphalerite ZnS 0.033 4.000
Fluorite CaF 0.032 3.180
Native Copper Cu 0.001 8.900
Cubanite CuFe2S3 0.001 4.080
Enargite Cu3AsS4 0.001 4.450
Jamesonite Pb4FeSb6S14 0.003 5.630
Stibnite Sb2S3 0.003 4.645
Gold Au 0.001 19.300
Native Silver Ag 0.001 10.500
Scheelite CaWO4 0.001 6.000
Wolframite (Fe,Mn,Mg)WO4 0.001 7.300

Source: Own Elaboration

4. MINERAL CONTENT VALUE

Mineral content value can be observed in the Table 4.1.

Table 4.1. Mineral content value

ASSAYS WEIGHT METAL PRICE METAL CONTENT DISTRIBUTI

METALS
(%, *OZ/T) (T, *g) ($/T, *$/g) VALUE ($/T, *$/g) ON (%)
Sn 4.20 0.0420 35325.00 1483.65 98.39
Cu 0.15 0.0015 9105.75 13.66 0.91
Zn 0.01 0.0001 3002.75 0.30 0.02
Ag* 0.49 14 0.73 10.24 0.68
MINERAL
1508
CONTENT VALUE

Source: Own Elaboration

9
5. METALLURGICAL RESULTS

The final products obtained are two tin concentrates, a concentrate obtained by gravimetry with
a tin grade of 57,930 and another concentrate obtained by flotation with a tin grade of 51,707.
These two concentrates were mixed to obtain a final tin concentrate that will be sold with a tin
grade of 56.88%.

6. DESCRIPTION OF THE METALLURGICAL PROCESS

The processes carried out in the tin plant are as follows :

➢ Crushing

➢ Gravimetry concentration and grinding

➢ Flotation.

➢ Solid-liquid separation

Following, the process components of the processing plant activities will be described.

6.1. CRUSHING CIRCUIT

The ROM size has a F80 of 12" and it goes through three crushing stages to obtain a final product
crushed with P80 of 3/8"
In the primary crushing stage, the ore enters with a F80 of 12" and we obtain a product with P80
of 3.5", with a reduction ratio of 3.2.
In the secondary crushing stage, the ore enters with F80 of 3.5" and we obtain a product with P80
of 1", with a reduction ratio of 3.75.
In the tertiary crushing stage, the ore enters with an F80 of 1"and and we obtain a product with
P80 of 3/8", with a reduction ratio of 2.67.

6.2. GRAVITY CONCENTRATION CIRCUIT

In the gravimetry concentration of a tin ore, the size of the particles is very important, therefore,
the gravimetry concentration stage was divided into five sub-stages for coarse, intermediate,
fine, and ultrafine particles, and also a stage of cleaning the concentrate.

6.2.1. GRAVITY CONCENTRATION OF COARSE PARTICLES (-12700 um)

The mineral enters with a tin grade of 4.2, an InLine Pressure is used to pre-concentrate the
coarse particles and a Bendelari Jig is used as a cleaning stage. The gravimetry concentrate
that comes out of this stage has a tin grade of 48.39%.

10
6.2.2. GRAVITY CONCENTRATION OF INTERMEDIATE PARTICLES (-2000 um)

The mineral enters with a tin grade of 3.4, in this stage a rod mill was used to reduce the size of
the mineral and then Bendelari jigs are used to concentrate the intermediate size particles. The
gravimetry concentrate that comes out of this stage has a tin grade of 47.03%.

6.2.3. GRAVITY CONCENTRATION OF FINE PARTICLES (-1000 um)

The mineral enters with a grade of 2.26, in this stage a ball mill was used to reduce the size of
the mineral, Falcon C to pre-concentrate the mineral, spirals and stirring tables as a cleaning
stage of the Falcon C. Also, in this stage A vibrating screen, a DSM and three hydrocyclones
were used to classify the mineral. The gravimetry concentrate that comes out of this stage has
a tin grade of 45.73%

6.2.4. GRAVITY CONCENTRATION OF ULTRAFINE PARTICLES (-38 um)

In this stage, a desliming stage was carried out and Falcon UF was used to concentrate the
mineral.

6.2.5. GRAVITY CONCENTRATION CLEANING STAGE

In this circuit, a delimation stage was made to increase the percentage of solids and then Falcon
UF was used to concentrate the mineral. Also, the tailings from the delimation stage, Falcon UF
and the underflow of four last hydrocyclones were sent to the flotation stage, the gravimetry tails
were sent with a grade of 1.28%.

11
 Figure 6.1. Gravity concentration circuit

Source: Own Elaboration

Table 6.1. Gravity concentration stage mass balance

UNIT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Solid Flow T/h 125.00 122.77 122.77 119.65 243.21 12.44 230.77 10.54 241.31 123.56
Solid sp gr 2.93 2.88 2.88 2.82 2.79 3.25 2.77 2.89 2.77 2.76
Solid Flow m3/h 42.70 42.57 42.57 42.41 87.13 3.83 83.41 3.64 87.05 44.73

%Solids % 50.00 65.00 20.00 53.54 43.00 28.00 44.28 26.34 43.00 82.00
Pulp Flow T/h 250.00 188.88 613.85 223.48 565.60 44.43 521.17 40.01 561.19 150.68
Water Flow T/h 125.00 66.11 491.08 103.83 322.39 31.99 290.40 29.47 319.88 27.12

Water Flow m3/h 125.00 66.11 491.08 103.83 322.39 31.99 290.40 29.47 319.88 27.12
Pulp Flow m3/h 167.70 108.68 533.66 146.24 409.52 35.82 373.82 33.12 406.93 71.86
Pulp sp gr 1.49 1.74 1.15 1.53 1.38 1.24 1.39 1.21 1.38 2.10
Water Added m3/h - - 424.97 - 191.43 - - - - -
12
 UNIT 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Solid Flow T/h 243.21 117.75 80.82 29.20 36.93 51.62 96.91 96.91 148.53 7.61
Solid sp gr 2.79 2.78 2.78 2.79 2.80 2.77 2.77 2.77 2.77 3.25
Solid Flow 3
m /h 87.13 42.32 29.12 10.48 13.20 18.63 35.02 35.02 53.66 2.34

%Solids % 65.00 28.68 25.15 32.14 41.44 19.11 65.00 65.00 43.00 16.67
Pulp Flow T/h 374.17 410.50 321.39 90.85 89.11 270.18 149.09 149.09 345.42 45.66
Water Flow T/h 130.96 292.75 240.57 61.65 52.18 218.56 52.18 52.18 196.89 38.05

Water Flow m3/h 130.96 292.75 280.21 61.65 12.54 218.56 52.18 52.18 196.89 38.05
Pulp Flow m3/h 218.09 335.07 269.69 72.13 65.39 237.20 87.20 87.20 250.54 40.39
Pulp sp gr 1.72 1.23 1.19 1.26 1.36 1.14 1.71 1.71 1.38 1.13
Water Added m3/h - - - - - - - - 83.06 -

UNIT 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Solid Flow T/h 140.92 6.50 147.42 59.98 87.44 14.61 43.82 13.15 30.67 29.11
Solid sp gr 2.74 2.92 2.75 2.75 2.75 2.76 2.78 2.73 2.80 2.71
Solid Flow 3
m /h 51.38 2.22 53.59 21.81 31.78 5.29 15.77 4.82 10.95 10.73

%Solids % 47.01 23.35 45.00 60.21 38.35 11.76 11.78 20.14 10.00 12.00
Pulp Flow T/h 299.76 27.84 327.60 99.62 227.98 124.24 372.01 65.31 306.70 242.58
Water Flow T/h 158.84 21.34 180.18 39.64 140.54 109.62 328.19 52.16 276.03 213.47

Water Flow m3/h 158.84 21.34 180.18 39.64 140.54 109.62 328.19 52.16 276.03 213.47
Pulp Flow m3/h 210.22 23.56 233.77 61.45 172.32 114.91 343.96 56.98 286.98 224.20
Pulp sp gr 1.43 1.18 1.40 1.62 1.32 1.08 1.08 1.15 1.07 1.08
Water Added m3/h - - - - - - - - - -

UNIT 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
Solid Flow T/h 2.23 3.12 5.35 1.90 7.25 1.11 8.36 72.82 42.26 1.56
Solid sp gr 5.35 5.27 5.30 5.22 5.28 5.17 5.27 2.75 2.72 4.41
Solid Flow m3/h 0.42 0.59 1.01 0.36 1.37 0.21 1.59 26.49 15.55 0.35

%Solids % 3.65 0.80 1.19 43.03 1.59 6.23 1.77 70.20 13.73 2.43
Pulp Flow T/h 61.12 390.37 451.49 4.42 455.91 17.82 473.73 103.74 307.89 64.12
Water Flow T/h 58.89 387.25 446.14 2.52 448.66 16.71 465.37 30.92 265.63 62.56

Water Flow m3/h 58.89 387.25 446.14 2.52 448.66 16.71 465.37 30.92 265.63 62.56
Pulp Flow m3/h 59.31 387.84 447.15 2.88 450.03 16.92 466.95 57.41 281.18 62.91
Pulp sp gr 1.03 1.01 1.01 1.53 1.01 1.05 1.01 1.81 1.09 1.02
3
Water Added m /h - - - - - - - - - -

Source: Own Elaboration

13
 Figure 6.2 Gravimetry concentrate cleaning circuit
Source: Own Elaboration

Table 6.2. Gravity concentrate cleaning stage mass balance

UNIT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Solid Flow T/h 8.36 4.32 4.04 6.06 10.10 10.10 14.42 8.36 7.25 5.56
Solid sp gr 5.27 5.58 4.93 5.11 5.04 5.04 5.20 5.27 5.62 6.28
Solid Flow m3/h 1.59 0.77 0.82 1.19 2.00 2.00 2.77 1.59 1.29 0.89

%Solids % 65.00 91.66 49.58 82.00 65.00 65.00 43.00 31.98 16.02 19.00
Pulp Flow T/h 12.86 4.71 8.15 7.39 15.54 15.54 33.53 26.14 45.25 29.26
Water Flow T/h 4.50 0.39 4.11 1.33 5.44 5.44 19.11 17.78 38.00 23.70

Water Flow m3/h 4.50 0.39 4.11 1.33 5.44 5.44 19.11 17.78 38.00 23.70
Pulp Flow m3/h 6.09 1.17 4.93 2.52 7.44 7.44 21.89 19.37 39.29 24.59
Pulp sp gr 2.11 4.04 1.65 2.94 2.09 2.09 1.53 1.35 1.15 1.19
Water Added m3/h - - - - - - - - 22.00 -

14
 UNIT 11 12 13
Solid Flow T/h 1.69 1.11 2.80
Solid sp gr 3.45 2.97 3.26
Solid Flow m3/h 0.49 0.37 0.86

%Solids % 10.57 38.35 14.83

Pulp Flow T/h 15.99 2.89 18.88
Water Flow T/h 14.30 1.78 16.08

Water Flow m3/h 14.30 1.78 16.08

Pulp Flow m3/h 14.79 2.16 16.94
Pulp sp gr 1.08 1.34 1.11
Water Added m3/h - - -

Source: Own Elaboration

6.3. FLOTATION CIRCUIT

The mineral enters with a P80 of 85 um and a tin grade of 1.28%. Then a sulfide flotation was
carried out, this flotation consists of three rougher stages, a scavenger stage, and a cleaner
stage. The tailings from the sulfide flotation pass to a cassiterite flotation, this flotation consists
of a rougher stage, a scavenger stage and three cleaner stages. After concluding the cassiterite
flotation stage, a thickener was used to increase the percentage of solids and multigravity
separators to concentrate the mineral. Finally, a flotation concentrate was obtained with a tin
grade of 51.707% and a P80 of 33 um, and a tailing with a tin grade of 0.301% was also obtained.

Figure 6.3. Sulphide Flotation Circuit

Source: Own Elaboration

15
 Table 6.3. Sulphide Flotation stage mass balance

UNIT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Solids Flow T/h 75.62 75.62 41.21 59.85 34.41 101.06 25.44 17.42 23.79
Solids sp Gr 2.76 2.76 2.64 2.78 2.94 2.72 2.60 2.60 2.67
Solids Flow m3/h 27.32 27.32 15.61 21.50 11.72 37.11 9.78 6.70 8.91

% Solids % 61.67 61.67 39.00 42.50 55.00 41.00 25.08 27.91 55.00
Pulp Flow T/h 122.62 122.62 105.67 140.82 62.57 246.49 101.40 62.42 43.25
H2O Flow T/h 46.99 46.99 64.46 80.97 28.16 145.43 75.97 45.00 19.46

H2O Flow m3/h 46.99 46.99 64.46 80.97 28.16 145.43 75.97 45.00 19.46
Pulp Flow m3/h 74.32 74.32 80.07 102.47 39.87 182.54 85.75 51.70 28.37
Pulp sp Gr 1.64 1.65 1.32 1.37 1.57 1.35 1.18 1.21 1.52
Water Added m3/h - - - 23.15 - 22.46 - - -

Source: Own Elaboration

Figure 6.4. Cassiterite Flotation Circuit

Source: Own Elaboration

16
 Table 6.4. Cassiterite Flotation stage mass balance

UNIT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Solids Flow T/h 75.41 75.41 12.73 62.68 68.40 11.64 56.76 12.73 7.01
Solids Sp Gr 2.95 2.95 3.57 2.85 2.88 3.48 2.79 3.57 3.81
Solids Flow m3/h 25.55 25.55 3.57 21.99 23.71 3.34 20.37 3.57 1.84

% Solids % 30.00 30.00 15.00 37.64 26.00 9.34 41.00 15.00 13.50
Pulp Flow T/h 251.37 251.37 84.84 166.52 263.08 124.64 138.44 84.84 51.91
H2O Flow T/h 175.96 175.96 72.11 103.84 194.68 113.00 81.68 72.11 44.90

H2O Flow m3/h 175.96 175.96 72.11 103.84 194.68 113.00 81.68 72.11 44.90
Pulp Flow m3/h 201.51 201.51 75.68 125.83 218.40 116.35 102.05 75.68 46.74
Pulp Sp Gr 1.25 1.25 1.12 1.32 1.20 1.07 1.36 1.12 1.11
Water Added m3/h 5.85 - - - 63.63 - - - -

UNIT 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Solids Flow T/h 5.72 5.72 10.63 10.63 5.07 5.57 6.64 6.64 3.01
Solids sp Gr 3.31 3.31 3.8 3.8 4.18 3.51 4.2 4.2 4.83
Solids Flow m3/h 1.73 1.73 2.8 2.8 1.21 1.59 1.58 1.58 0.62

% Solids % 17.36 17.36 11.02 11.02 6.22 37 7.82 7.82 7.04

Pulp Flow T/h 32.93 32.93 96.45 96.45 81.41 15.04 84.9 84.9 42.79
H2O Flow T/h 27.21 27.21 85.82 85.82 76.34 9.48 78.26 78.26 39.78

H2O Flow m3/h 27.21 27.21 85.82 85.82 76.34 9.48 78.26 78.26 39.78
Pulp Flow m3/h 28.94 28.94 88.62 88.62 77.55 11.06 79.84 79.84 40.4
Pulp sp Gr 1.14 1.14 1.09 1.09 1.05 1.36 1.06 1.06 1.06
Water Added m3/h - - 2.44 - - - - - -

UNIT 19 20 21 22 23 24
Solids Flow T/h 3.63 3.01 0.00 1.57 1.44 74.18
Solids Sp Gr 3.79 4.83 0.00 4.28 5.63 2.74
Solids Flow m3/h 0.96 0.62 0.00 0.37 0.26 27.07

% Solids % 8.61 60.00 0.00 45.00 31.97 36.93

Pulp Flow T/h 42.11 5.02 37.77 3.49 4.51 200.86
H2O Flow T/h 38.48 2.01 37.77 1.92 3.07 126.68

H2O Flow m3/h 38.48 2.01 37.77 1.92 3.07 126.68

Pulp Flow m3/h 39.44 2.63 37.77 2.28 3.32 153.75
Pulp Sp Gr 1.07 1.91 1.00 1.53 1.36 1.31
Water Added m3/h - 2.98 - - - -

Source: Own Elaboration

17
6.4. SOLID – LIQUID SEPARATION

The main functions of the concentrate filtering area are to reduce the moisture content of
the concentrates to an economically transportable level and to efficiently load the
concentrate onto trucks for final shipment to the facility.

Figure 6.5. Solid-Liquid Separation

Source: Own Elaboration

Table 6.5. Solid-Liquid Separation mass balance

UNIT 1 2 3 4 5 6
Solids Flow T/h 1.44 1.44 0.00 1.44 0.00 0.00
Solids Sp Gr 5.63 5.63 0.00 5.63 0.00 0.00
Solids Flow m3/h 0.26 0.26 0.00 0.26 0.00 0.00

% Solids % 31.97 60.00 0.00 92.00 0.00 0.00

Pulp Flow T/h 4.51 2.40 2.11 1.57 0.84 2.94
H2O Flow T/h 3.07 0.96 2.11 0.13 0.84 2.94

H2O Flow m3/h 3.07 0.96 2.11 0.13 0.84 2.94

Pulp Flow m3/h 3.32 1.22 2.11 0.38 0.84 2.94
Pulp Sp Gr 1.36 1.97 1.00 4.11 1.00 1.00
Water Added m3/h - - - - - -

Source: Own Elaboration

7. METALURGICAL BALANCES

7.1. GLOBAL METALLURGICAL BALANCE

Table 7.1. Global Metallurgical Balance

WEIGHT (T/h) ASSAY (%) DISTRIBUTION (%)

PROCESS
NOMINAL DESIGN Sn Sn
ROM 125.0 134.4 4.20 100.0
Gravity concentrate 7.1 7.7 57.93 78.5
Flotation concentrate 1.4 1.6 51.71 14.2
Tailings 116.4 125.2 0.33 7.3

Source: Own Elaboration

18
7.2. CRUSHING BALANCE
Table 7.2. Crushing Balance

WEIGHT (T/h) ASSAY (%) DISTRIBUTION(%)

PROCESS
NOMINAL DESIGN Sn Sn
ROM 125.0 134.4 4.20 100.0
Final crushing product 125.0 134.4 4.20 100.0

Source: Own Elaboration

7.3. GRAVITY BALANCE OF COARSE PARTICLES

Table 7.3. Gravity balance of coarse particles

WEIGHT (T/h) ASSAY (%) DISTRIBUTION(%)

PROCESS
NOMINAL Sn Sn Sn
Fine hopper 125.0 134.4 4.20 100.0
Coarse concentrate 2.2 2.4 48.39 20.5
Coarse tailing 122.7 132.0 3.40 79.5

Source: Own Elaboration

7.4. GRAVITY BALANCE OF INTERMEDIATE PARTICLES

Table 7.4. Gravity balance of intermediate particles

WEIGHT (T/h) ASSAY (%) DISTRIBUTION(%)

PROCESS
NOMINAL Sn Sn Sn
Coarse tailing 122.8 132.0 3.40 100.0
Intermediate concentrate 3.12 3.4 47.03 35.2
Intermediate tailing 119.65 128.7 2.26 64.7

Source: Own Elaboration

7.5. GRAVITY BALANCE OF FINE PARTICLES

Table 7.5. Gravity balance of fine particles

WEIGHT (T/h) ASSAY (%) DISTRIBUTION(%)

PROCESS
NOMINAL Sn Sn Sn
Intermediate tailing 119.7 128.7 2.26 100.0
Fine concentrate 3.0 3.2 45.73 50.9
Flotation feed 72.8 78.3 0.94 25.2
Ultrafine feed 43.8 47.1 1.47 23.9

Source: Own Elaboration

19
7.6. GRAVITY BALANCE OF ULTRAFINE PARTICLES
Table 7.6. Gravity balance of ultrafine particles.

WEIGHT (T/h) ASSAY (%) DISTRIBUTION(%)

PROCESS
NOMINAL Sn Sn Sn
Ultrafine feed 43.82 47.12 1.47 100
Ultrafine concentrate 1.56 1.68 31.24 75.66
Ultrafine tailing 42.26 45.44 0.37 24.34

Source: Own Elaboration

7.7. GRAVITY CONCENTRATE - CLEANER

Table 7.7. Gravity concentrate – cleaner

WEIGHT (T/h) ASSAY (%) DISTRIBUTION(%)

PROCESS
NOMINAL Sn Sn Sn
Coarse concentrate 2.23 2.40 48.39 24.46
Intermediate concentrate 3.12 3.35 47.03 33.27
Fine concentrate 3.01 3.24 45.73 31.22
Ultrafine concentrate 1.56 1.68 31.24 11.05
Gravimetry concentrate 7.12 7.66 57.93 93.50
Flotation feed 2.80 3.01 10.24 6.50

Source: Own Elaboration

7.8. FLOTATION BALANCE

7.8.1. SULPHIDE FLOTATION BALANCE

Table 7.8. Sulphide flotation balance

WEIGHT (T/h) ASSAY (%) DISTRIBUTION (%)

PROCESS
NOMINAL DESIGN Sn Sn
Feed 75.6 81.9 1.28 100
Reverse Floating
17.4 18.9 0.1 1.9
Concentrate
Reverse Float Tail 58.2 63 1.63 98.1

Source: Own Elaboration

7.8.2. CASSITERITE FLOTATION BALANCE

Table 7.9. Cassiterite flotation balance

WEIGHT (T/h) ASSAY (%) DISTRIBUTION (%)

PROCESS
NOMINAL DESIGN Sn Sn
Feed 58.2 63.0 1.63 100.0
Flotation concentrate 1.4 1.6 51.71 78.4
Flotation Tailing 56.8 61.4 0.36 21.6

Source: Own Elaboration

20
 Table 7.10. Final flotation balance

WEIGHT (T/h) ASSAY (%) DISTRIBUTION (%)

PROCESS
NOMINAL DESIGN Sn Sn
Final Tailings 74.2 80.3 0.30 23.1

Source: Own Elaboration

8. LIST OF EQUIPMENTS

8.1. CRUSHING
g

UNIT EQUIPMENT MODEL HP DIMENSIONS

2 Jaw Crusher METSO C80 101 2020mm x 1700mm
Secondary Conic
1 METSO GP300S 215 1858mm x 2546mm
Crusher
2 Tertiary Conic Crusher METSO HP300 268 2207mm x 1865mm
1 Double deck screen JinPeng YA1224 147 1000 mm x 2900mm
1 Single deck screen METSO 5 x 14 2 1500mm x 4200mm

Source: Own Elaboration

8.2. GRINDING
Table 8.2. Grinding Equipment

UNIT EQUIPMENT MODEL HP DIMENSIONS

1 Rod Mill COMESA 600 9.5 ft x 13 ft
2 Ball Mill COMESA 350 9 ft x 9 ft
2 Ball Mill COMESA 350 8 ft x 8 ft
1 Ball Mill COMESA 100 4.5 ft x 9 ft

Source: Own Elaboration

8.3. GRAVITY CONCENTRATION

Table 8.3. Gravity Concentration Equipment

UNIT EQUIPMENT MODEL HP DIMENSIONS

2 InLine Pressure IPJ2400 5.36 -
8 Jig Jig Bendelari 4.69 -
13 Falcon Falcon C4000 100.58 -
7 Spirals Humphrey Spirals - -
37 Falcon Falcon UF 1500 60.35 -
70 Hydrocyclone Krebs Urethane (Steel-Urethane) - 5 in
70 Hydrocyclone Krebs D-20 - 5 in
140 Hydrocyclone Krebs Urethane (Stainless steel) - 5 in

Source: Own Elaboration

21
8.4. FLOTATION

8.4.1. SULPHIDE FLOTATION CIRCUIT

Table 8.4. Sulphide Flotation Equipment

UNIT EQUIPMENT MODEL HP VOLUME (m3)

1 Conditioning Tank N°1 METSO 5 19
4 Rougher Cell RCS 10 30 10
4 Scavenger Cell RCS 10 30 10
5 Cleaner Cell RCS 5 20 5

Source: Own Elaboration

8.4.2. CASSITERITE FLOTATION CIRCUIT

Table 8.5. Cassiterite Flotation Equipment

UNIT EQUIPMENT MODEL HP VOLUME (m3) - DIMENSION

1 Conditioning Tank N°2 METSO 10 45
7 Rougher Cell RCS 10 30 10
5 Scavenger Cell RCS 10 30 10
1 Conditioning Tank N°3 METSO 5 19
3 Cleaner 1 Cell RCS 5 20 5
1 Conditioning Tank N°4 METSO 3 6
1 Conditioning Tank N°5 METSO 5 19
3 Cleaner 2 Cell RCS 5 20 5
1 Conditioning Tank N°6 METSO 2 11
4 Cleaner 3 Cell RCS 5 20 5
1 Thickening METSO 2 -
1 Multigravimetry Separator C-902 9 -

Source: Own Elaboration

22
8.5. DISPOSAL OF TAILINGS

8.5.1. TAILINGS

Tailings management for the tin plant is based in the flotation´s product. Therefore, we
evaluated different types of tailings disposal:

➢ Thickened

➢ Paste Tailing.

➢ Filtered Tailing.

For this work we will use filtered tailings because we want to recover the maximum amount of
water to recirculate. The filtered tailings will increase the percentage of solids will increase when
going through thickening, filtering, transport and compacted by trucks in the tailing’s location.
Tailings Process - Block Diagram can be observed in the figure 8.1.

Figure 8.1. Tailings Process - Block Diagram

Source: Own Elaboration

23
8.4.3. TAILING CAPACITY

The storage capacity of the tailings dam has been estimated based on the production of the
metallurgical operation and topographic conditions of the tailings dam with the support of
Google Earth and programs such as AutoCAD. According to the geometric configuration of
the tailings deposit, it will have a maximum capacity of 34MM m3 projected for 13 years of
production. Tailings Capacity can be observed in the table 8.5.

Table 8.6. Tailings Capacity

GENERAL TAIL
YEAR
(TMS)
1 1 020 014
2 2 040 028
3 3 060 042
4 4 080 056
5 5 100 070
6 6 120 084
7 7 140 098
8 8 160 112
9 9 180 126
10 10 200 140
11 11 220 154
12 12 240 168
13 13 260 182
TOTAL 92 821 274

Source: Own elaboration

24