Breakage and liberation characteristics of low grade sulphide gold ore blends

- Breakage and liberation characteristics of three gold ore blends were investigated.
- Work index, breakage rate, and breakage functions were used to evaluate the breakage properties.
- Cumulative mass percent in >95% liberation class was used in determination of the degree of mineral liberation.
- The breakage parameters obtained imply differences in the breakage behaviour of the three blends.
- The liberation of the valuable phase indicated no significant differences between the materials.
- The work index of the material could be predicted based on its quartz content.

Within the scope of the evaluation and optimization of a grinding circuit, the breakage and mineral liberation characteristics of three low grade sulphide gold ore blends have been investigated by Bond tests, batch grinding tests, and mineral liberation characterization. The tests were conducted in a size range from 0.063 to 2 mm. It was found that the breakage of all blends follows a first-order behaviour for all feed sizes. The work index was correlated with the quartz content and the breakage rate deceleration parameter, which both showed a linear relationship. The correlation between breakage function fineness parameter and first-order rate constant also satisfied a linear relationship .The breakage parameters established from batch grinding and grindability studies indicate differences in the breakage behaviour of the three ore blends. However, the mineral liberation properties of the valuable phase in three blends show minor differences.

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