Applications of the Ore Microscope to Ore-dressing Problems in the Viburnum Trend, South-East Missouri, USA

Abstract

The ore microscope has been applied to a wide variety of ore-dressing problems which are of past and present concern in the Viburnum Trend, south-east Missouri, USA. The ore microscope has been used to investigate lead, zinc, copper, and cobalt-nickel concentrates and tails from most of the mills and laboratory and bench-scale test products. A variety of cobalt and nickel minerals have been recognised in the ores and mill products of the Viburnum Trend. These include siegenite, bravoite, nickelean carrollite, fletcherite, millerite, polydymite and vaesite. Ore microscopy is equally valuable in providing a means to determine whether a given mineral species is present as free particles and whether the ore does not need additional grinding to release them. The recognition that the large amounts of lead formerly present in Viburnum copper concentrates occurred as free galena particles led to greater agitation during flotation to improve lead-copper separation.

Meeting Name

1st International Congress on Applied Mineralogy (1981: Johannesburg, South Africa)

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Microscopic Examination - Applications; Beneficiation Problems; Missouri Lead Belt Mill Problems; Ore Microscope; Viburnum Trend; Ore Treatment

Geographic Coverage

Southeast Missouri

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0367-5335

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 1983 Geological Society of South Africa, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 1983

This document is currently not available here.

Share

 
COinS