The Silver Leaching Study

Client wanted to know silver mineralogy along with associated minerals to determine leaching kinetics of the ore body.  Questions to be answered. Was there any liberated silver? What is the silver mineral? Association and encapsulation by what mineral?

Results indicate acanthite (silver sulfide) was mostly encapsulated by quartz at approximately 20 microns in size.  Some liberated particles existed, however, most of them were encapsulated by quartz.  Because of this fact, kinetic leaching times for the ore body are very slow.

 

Liberation Study

Wet sized samples were received to determine liberation of copper minerals (green particles).  The goal was to use AMICS and determine optimal grind for flotation testing. Received samples were wet sized at 50, 70, 100, and -100 mesh. From AMICS data, it was determined that  -70 mesh and below will liberate the copper containing chalcopyrite particles.

 

 

Chalcopyrite Liberation Summary Graph