Question 13
- Name the two final products of mineral processing.
- State the relationship between the feed into mineral processing plant and the product, assuming no losses.
- A processing plant treats 100 tonnes of ore per day and produced 92 tonnes of waste. Calculate the weight of the valuable mineral produced.
- Outline the two processes of dewatering in mineral processing.
Observation
No candidates attempted the question though the question is clear and knowledge based.
(a)
- Concentrate
- Tailings
(b) Feed = Concentrate + Tailings
(c)
Weight of feed = weight of concentrate + weight of tailings
Therefore, 100t = weight of concentrate + 92t
Weight of concentrate = 100t – 92t
= 8 tonnes
(d) The two processes of dewatering are; Filtration and drying.
Filtration entails removal of large quantities of moisture from concentrates using filter press and generating filter cake. The products of filtration are then exposed to drying process involving direct exposure to sunlight or the use of oven. Thereafter, the dried products can be used directly or be reduced in signs for onward usage in large scale production, thickness are used at the initial stage before filtration. In the thickness, heavy solid particles settle at the bottom and the accompanying water content decanted. In a situation where particles could not settle, they are encouraged by the addition of cogaulants.