Binary modelling the milling of UG2 ore using a matrix approach

Abstract

The study reports a binary matrix modelling and simulation studies to improve the performance of the secondary grinding circuit of UG2 ores. The model developed was intended to help searching for optimal operating conditions of the secondary milling circuit so that the platinum group element (PGE) recovery is increased while reducing Cr2O3 entrainment in the subsequent flotation stage. A series of laboratory batch-scale tests was carried out in order to estimate the milling kinetics parameters of the chromite and non-chromite components. Finally, two alternatives circuit configurations for a better performance were evaluated using simulations. The optimal design consisted of a conventional ball mill in closed circuit with a hydrocyclone to separate the milling product into lights (non-chromite-rich) and heavies (chromite-rich) fractions followed by a vibrating screen to de-slime the cyclone underflow before it is returned to the mill for further grinding.

Keywords

• Grinding circuit
• Ball mill
• Hydrocyclone
• Vibrating screen
• Population balance modelling
• Matrix approach
• UG2 ore
• Chromite