Mining Institute, Kola Science Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity, Russia:

E. V. Chernousenko, Researcher, chern@goi.kolasc.net.ru
S. A. Alekseeva, Researcher
E. D. Rukhlenko, Leading Production Engineer
G. V. Mitrofanova, Leading Researcher, Candidate of Engineering Sciences

The article presents the results of studies into selection of rational processing methods based on the analysis of the material composition and textural–structural features with a view to processing refractory and unpayable sulphide copper–nickel ores from the Kola Peninsula. For the ore of the mining-induced Allarechenskoe deposit, the mineralogical and petrographic characteristics of the initial bulk material with a particle size of –150 + 5 were studied; the relationship between the density of ore and its nickel and copper content has been established. The technological studies were carried out into the ore concentration by separation in heavy media at suspension density of 2.9 g / cm³ with production of coarse concentrate suitable for further metallurgical processing and coarse tailings. For ore sifting with a particle size of -5 mm, a scheme of fine-grained gravity concentration has been proposed. The material composition, grindability, features of sulphide shot decomposition and gravitational dressability of unpayable copper-nickel ore were investigated. A rational gravity pre-concentration scheme has been developed, which makes it possible to obtain a concentrated product with a nickel content of more than 0.4%, suitable for subsequent flotation concentration in the total charge at the dressing plant of the Kola GMK, and tailings. Based on mineralogical and technological studies into one of the types of refractory copper-nickel ore entering Kola MMC for processing, the optimal parameters of grinding and flotation have been developed, contributing to the increased recovery of nickel and copper in the concentrate while reducing their mass fraction in flotation tailings compared to traditional mode.

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