University of KwaZulu-Natal

School of Engineering

Module Code: ENCH2MB

Tutorial 2 Mineral Processing

QUESTION 1
A sample contains three types of ores, magnetite (Fe 3O4), chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), and non-
sulphides (containing no Cu or Fe). If the Cu concentration is 15% and the Fe concentration
is 29%, what is the concentration of magnetite and of the non-sulphides?

QUESTION 2
a) Explain the term comminution as applied in mineral processing.
b) Outline any three (3) objectives of mineral processing.
c) Identify four (4) main unit operations in a mineral processing plant.
d) Define concentration as used in mineral processing.
e) State any three (3) mineral concentration techniques used in mineral processing.
QUESTION 3

A mineral processing plant treats feed whose grade is 0.91 % Zn. The concentrate and
tailings are produced from the plant. The grade of the concentrate is 25.3 %. The grade of the
tailings is 0.13 %. Estimate:

(a) Zn recovery in concentrate

(b) Fed fraction that remains in the concentrate
(c) Enrichment ratio

QUESTION 4
A mill processes 12,500 tonnes of wet ore per day with a relatively low moisture content of
1.5 % H 2 0. The feed grade of dry ore is 2.5 % Pb and 4.8 % Zn . The ore is processed in a
differential flotation circuit in which lead is recovered in the first stage to a Pb concentrate at
a grade of 67.5 % Pb leaving a Pb circuit tailing containing 0.42 % Pb and 4.75 % Zn . This
latter material is fed to a zinc flotation circuit producing a Zn concentrate of 53.6 % Zn and a
final tailing containing 0.31 % Zn and 0.26 % Pb .

(a) What is the percent recovery of Pb to the Pb concentrate and the percent recovery of Zn
to the Zn concentrate?

(b) What is the grade of Pb in the Zn concentrate and the grade of Zn in the Pb concentrate?