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Chapter 15 Characterization and mineral processing options of “Kupferschiefer”-type low-grade black shale ore from mining dumps in Central Germany

  • Andreas Kamradt
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Industrial Waste
This chapter is in the book Industrial Waste

Abstract

Dumps in the former Mansfeld mining district, Central Germany, consisting of waste rocks and low-grade ore were investigated lithologically and geochemically focussing the metal content. One of the most important steps to perform the assessment of the economic potential addresses a methodology for a representative sampling of the heterogeneous stockpiled black shale ore. Investigations were concentrated in particular on two flat dumps, which were deposited between 1870 to 1930. Low-grade black shale ore from one of the dumps showed a metal content of 0.5-0.6% Cu, 0.56-0.6% Pb and 0.69-0.75% Zn, from which technical bulk samples were extracted for mineral processing test studies. Chemical analyses of particle size classes revealed that the majority (> 70%) of the base metal content is contained in coarse-sized particles (> 1.6 cm), which is a prerequisite for the successful application of automated sensor-based sorting techniques. Elution and extraction analyses demonstrated that a low metal elutability in general emanates from dump material and just marginally weathering took place since the deposition period of low-grade ore on dump, although a slight increase of sulphide oxidation was determined for dump material with longer deposition time. A holistic approach to the utilization of black shale low-grade ore considers extensive processing applications comprising alternative methods and enhanced technical protocols in sensor-based sorting, comminution, flotation as well as acid and bioleaching. The use of sensor-based sorting shows that in combination with a novel X-ray fluorescence scanner a 100 % increase (doubling) of the copper content in the pre-sorted black shale fraction can be achieved. Additionally, alternative comminution methods enhance the liberation of the extremely finely dispersed sulphides in the low-grade ore, which has a positive effect on the yield of the downstream flotation. The combination of energy-saving extraction methods comprising modified approaches of sulphide flotation and bioleaching could be considered as a connected copper processing line in general, in which an alternative recovery of copper from black shales with a complex ore mineralogy was experimentally confirmed and characterized by advanced analysing techniques such as automated mineralogy. Thus, adapted mineral processing and the implementation of hydrometallurgical extraction are capable to increase the economic potential of low-grade ores and the recovery of valuable metals as well as improve the low efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of conventional technical applications.

Abstract

Dumps in the former Mansfeld mining district, Central Germany, consisting of waste rocks and low-grade ore were investigated lithologically and geochemically focussing the metal content. One of the most important steps to perform the assessment of the economic potential addresses a methodology for a representative sampling of the heterogeneous stockpiled black shale ore. Investigations were concentrated in particular on two flat dumps, which were deposited between 1870 to 1930. Low-grade black shale ore from one of the dumps showed a metal content of 0.5-0.6% Cu, 0.56-0.6% Pb and 0.69-0.75% Zn, from which technical bulk samples were extracted for mineral processing test studies. Chemical analyses of particle size classes revealed that the majority (> 70%) of the base metal content is contained in coarse-sized particles (> 1.6 cm), which is a prerequisite for the successful application of automated sensor-based sorting techniques. Elution and extraction analyses demonstrated that a low metal elutability in general emanates from dump material and just marginally weathering took place since the deposition period of low-grade ore on dump, although a slight increase of sulphide oxidation was determined for dump material with longer deposition time. A holistic approach to the utilization of black shale low-grade ore considers extensive processing applications comprising alternative methods and enhanced technical protocols in sensor-based sorting, comminution, flotation as well as acid and bioleaching. The use of sensor-based sorting shows that in combination with a novel X-ray fluorescence scanner a 100 % increase (doubling) of the copper content in the pre-sorted black shale fraction can be achieved. Additionally, alternative comminution methods enhance the liberation of the extremely finely dispersed sulphides in the low-grade ore, which has a positive effect on the yield of the downstream flotation. The combination of energy-saving extraction methods comprising modified approaches of sulphide flotation and bioleaching could be considered as a connected copper processing line in general, in which an alternative recovery of copper from black shales with a complex ore mineralogy was experimentally confirmed and characterized by advanced analysing techniques such as automated mineralogy. Thus, adapted mineral processing and the implementation of hydrometallurgical extraction are capable to increase the economic potential of low-grade ores and the recovery of valuable metals as well as improve the low efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of conventional technical applications.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. List of Authors IX
  4. Part 1: Measurement and properties
  5. Chapter 1 Characterization of supplementary cementitious materials and their quantification in cement blends by solid-state NMR 3
  6. Chapter 2 Mineralogical quantification of cements, wastes and supplementary cementitious materials 33
  7. Chapter 3 Microstructure analysis with quantitative phase mapping using SEM-EDS and Phase Recognition and Characterization (PARC) Software: applied to steelmaking slag 57
  8. Chapter 4 The use of μXRF in the characterization of industrial wastes and pozzolanes 97
  9. Part 2: Characterization of industrial residues
  10. Chapter 5 Characterization of supplementary cementitious materials: Brown coal fly ashes 165
  11. Chapter 6 Iron and steel slags: from wastes to by-products of high technical, economical and ecological advantages 203
  12. Chapter 7 Utilization of Supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) in Portland cement, alkali activated and ternary binders 253
  13. Chapter 8 Study of some physico chemical properties of plastic clays belonging to Girujan deposits from Chumoukedima Nagaland, India and their prospective industrial applications 297
  14. Part 3: Use and application of industrial residues
  15. Chapter 9 Conversion of CO2 into useful products 319
  16. Chapter 10 Mine tailings as precursors for alkali-activated materials and ettringite binders 345
  17. Chapter 11 Industrial waste as fuel and raw material in the cement industry 361
  18. Chapter 12 Fly ash from municipal solid waste Incineration: from industrial residue to resource for zinc 379
  19. Chapter 13 Residues of industrial wastewater treatment: Hazardous waste or anthropogenic resource? 403
  20. Chapter 14 Composites of some sustainable siliceous materials for the removal of fluoride from ground water and immobilization of the sludge generated 433
  21. Part 4: Residues from mining
  22. Chapter 15 Characterization and mineral processing options of “Kupferschiefer”-type low-grade black shale ore from mining dumps in Central Germany 455
  23. Chapter 16 Rare-earth elements in phosphogypsum and mineral processing residues from phosphate-rich weathered alkaline ultramafic rocks, Brazil 505
  24. Chapter 17 The Mn oxides tailing from Amazon Region as low-cost raw material to synthesis of shigaite-type phase 541
  25. Chapter 18 Eco-cements out of Belterra Clay: An extensive Brazilian bauxite overburden to produce low-CO2 eco-friendly calcium sulphoaluminate based cements 553
  26. Index 581
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110674941-015

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. List of Authors IX
  4. Part 1: Measurement and properties
  5. Chapter 1 Characterization of supplementary cementitious materials and their quantification in cement blends by solid-state NMR 3
  6. Chapter 2 Mineralogical quantification of cements, wastes and supplementary cementitious materials 33
  7. Chapter 3 Microstructure analysis with quantitative phase mapping using SEM-EDS and Phase Recognition and Characterization (PARC) Software: applied to steelmaking slag 57
  8. Chapter 4 The use of μXRF in the characterization of industrial wastes and pozzolanes 97
  9. Part 2: Characterization of industrial residues
  10. Chapter 5 Characterization of supplementary cementitious materials: Brown coal fly ashes 165
  11. Chapter 6 Iron and steel slags: from wastes to by-products of high technical, economical and ecological advantages 203
  12. Chapter 7 Utilization of Supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) in Portland cement, alkali activated and ternary binders 253
  13. Chapter 8 Study of some physico chemical properties of plastic clays belonging to Girujan deposits from Chumoukedima Nagaland, India and their prospective industrial applications 297
  14. Part 3: Use and application of industrial residues
  15. Chapter 9 Conversion of CO2 into useful products 319
  16. Chapter 10 Mine tailings as precursors for alkali-activated materials and ettringite binders 345
  17. Chapter 11 Industrial waste as fuel and raw material in the cement industry 361
  18. Chapter 12 Fly ash from municipal solid waste Incineration: from industrial residue to resource for zinc 379
  19. Chapter 13 Residues of industrial wastewater treatment: Hazardous waste or anthropogenic resource? 403
  20. Chapter 14 Composites of some sustainable siliceous materials for the removal of fluoride from ground water and immobilization of the sludge generated 433
  21. Part 4: Residues from mining
  22. Chapter 15 Characterization and mineral processing options of “Kupferschiefer”-type low-grade black shale ore from mining dumps in Central Germany 455
  23. Chapter 16 Rare-earth elements in phosphogypsum and mineral processing residues from phosphate-rich weathered alkaline ultramafic rocks, Brazil 505
  24. Chapter 17 The Mn oxides tailing from Amazon Region as low-cost raw material to synthesis of shigaite-type phase 541
  25. Chapter 18 Eco-cements out of Belterra Clay: An extensive Brazilian bauxite overburden to produce low-CO2 eco-friendly calcium sulphoaluminate based cements 553
  26. Index 581
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