Project Name:Zijin Mining Group’s Project in DR Congo, Africa

Location:DR Congo,Africa
Mineral:Copper-cobalt
Capacity:150t/h
Main Equipment:SLon WHIMS+SLon Wet Drum Magnetic Separator

Processing Technology:Grinding+magnetic separation

    COMMUS SAS affiliated with Zijin Mining Group Co., Ltd. has underwent a technical transformation recently. It mainly adopts flotation concentrate and fire metallurgy process to abstract metal. However, the recovery rate is low despite high grade ores. The tailings rich in copper ore and cobalt ore used to be disposed of in tailings ponds or even discharged directly, which results in useful metal draining, simultaneously brings the enormous harm to the environment. To increase the recovery rate of tailings with less of an environmental impact, we determined a three-stage separation process that would enable high levels of metal recovery and purity.  

    First of all, SLon Wet Drum Magnetic Separator separates the strong mags constituent of the tailings, which acts as a pre-treatment. The efficient removal of ferrous metal not only reduces the workload of ore dressing, but also maximizes the purity of the end recycled product. And then, the processed metal mix passes through the metal separation module, which consists of two SLon Wet High Intensity Magnetic Separators(WHIMS). In this process, due to the sticky slurry of tailings, it’s difficult to recover fine metals, posing a real challenge to our equipment.     

    To solve the problem, we have conducted a lot of experiments, and introduced technical improvement in matrix and flushing device. Finally, our machine shows a good performance. The new SLon WHIMS removes low magnetic metal from the remaining mix through a succession of strongly convergent magnetic fields. By the course-to-fine technique, the recovered copper concentrates has a purity of 6.45% and cobalt concentrates of 0.41%.

    Developing new metal separation processes, such as this three-stage magnetic separator system, is vitally important to reduce the amount of metal waste and of unrecyclable material sent to landfill. There is also significant financial gain, with increased metal recovery and reduced disposal costs.