FOURAH BAY COLLEGE– UNIVERSITY OF SIERRA LEONE

SECOND SEMESTER RESIT EXAMINATIONS, SEPTEMBER 2020

COURSE NO: MINE 322
COURSE NAME: EXTRACTIVE METALLURGY
CLASS: Mining Engineering Year 3 TIME ALLOWED: 3 HOURS

ANSWER QUESTION ONE AND ANY OTHER THREE (3) QUESTIONS

Q1

(a) Explain with the aid of flow sheet diagram the basic model for the extraction process of the
following minerals.
i. Copper
ii. Gold (15 Marks)
iii. Rutile
(b) Enumerate four uses each of Copper, Gold and Rutile (6 Marks)
(c) Describe the following solution purification processes
i Ion exchange ii. Adsorption iii. Solvent extraction iv. Cementation (4 Marks)
(d) Give a diagrammatic explanation of blast furnace layout with auxiliary equipment (5 Marks)
(e) What is agglomeration? Give four reasons why it-is a very important process in extractive
metallurgy (4 Marks)
(f) Identify the following minerals by indicating the names, chemical formulae and method of
extraction ( 6 Marks)
A B C D

(40 Marks)

Q2

(a) Explain briefly the following processes using equations.

i. Calcination
ii. Roasting
iii. Smelting
iv. Drying (8Marks)

(b)With the aid of diagram explain the following classifier

(i) Simple Box Classifier
(ii) Bowl/rake Classifier
(iii) Hydrocylones (9Marks)
(c) Enumerate three dependent factors and give reasons by which materials are classified into
fluids/water. (3Marks)

Q3
(a) Briefly explain the following methods of metal extraction.
I. Pyrometallurgy
II. Hydrometallurgy (12 Marks)
III. Electrometallurgy
(b) Enumerate any eight reactors used in metal extraction. (4 Marks)
(c) List the phases involved in the classification of unit process/operation and give one example of
each. (4Marks)

Q4

(a) Write short notes on the following:

I. Vat Leaching
II. Dump Leaching
III. Alkalis and Ammonia based Reagent
IV. Bacterially-mediated Leaching (12 Marks)
(a) Enumerate any eight principles you must know in metal extraction. (4 Marks)
(b) Differentiate between Cyanidation and Heap Leaching and give their possible releases, effects
and environmental impacts.
(4Marks)

Q5

As a Mineral/Mining engineer you will agree with me that there are lots of innovations in
pyro metallurgy. Elucidate on these recent innovations and its impact.

Q6 (20 Marks)

(a) What is a carbonaceous fuel? Give three examples each, of a primary and a secondary fuel.
(5 Marks)
(b) Distinguish between ClP, ClL and ClC. (6Marks)
(c) Draw a typical flow sheet for treating refractory gold concentrates. (5 Marks)
(d) What is an electrochemical cell? Name the two types of electrochemical cells and give the
basic difference between them. (4 Marks)