Journal
MINERALS ENGINEERING
Volume 145, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.mineng.2019.105870
Keywords
Sensor-based ore sorting; X-ray transmission; Tin ore; Cassiterite; Waste rejection; Reduced cut-off; Increase productivity
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San Rafael is the largest underground tin mining operation in the world. The main methods for processing the ore are gravity separation and flotation. In 2016 a new addition to the plant was an X-ray transmission (XRT)based ore sorting island. The objective was to reject waste from a marginal development waste dump, and it is now also treating low grade material from the underground mine. XRT sorting discriminates particles on a planar projection of the density of matter attenuating X-ray radiation. Physical separation is achieved by means of an array of high speed air jets. The feed grade of approximately 0.6% tin is concentrated to 2.8% tin in the product at recovery of 90% in about 19% mass yield to product. This enriched product fraction from the sensor-based ore sorting plant feeds into the main plant. The plant, which is designed for 3600 tonnes per day, went into operation in 2016. The total capital expenditures of 24 M$ US were paid back within 4 months. The projected contribution to the production of refined tin for the year 2017 was 6000 tonnes. In summary, the positive impacts were: - Value added from previously sub-economic waste that can be mined with lower costs. - Increase of productivity in the main wet sections of the plant. - Reduction in cut-off grade and increase in reserves. - Reduction of environmental impacts. The paper describes the project from concept, through the development phase, including test work confirming feasibility, to a discussion of operational data and includes shared experiences from operation and maintenance.
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