Evaluación de la dosificación de reactivos de flotación para recuperar sulfuros de cobre en una planta de beneficio para una empresa minera

Abstract

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo incrementar la recuperación de sulfuros de cobre en la operación de flotación en la planta de beneficio de la unidad minera Shuntur S.A.C. Para ello se realizó pruebas a nivel laboratorio y se aplicó diseños de experimentos en dos etapas, la primera etapa (Screening) desarrolló un diseño factorial 23 y (03) tres puntos en el centro, donde se obtuvo un modelo matemático de primer orden multivariable que tiene la siguiente forma: Y = 112.45 – 0.431Z1 – 0.127Z2 – 29.827Z3 – 0.004Z1. Z2 + 0.545Z1. Z3 + 0.143Z2. Z3 – 0.004Z1. Z2. Z3 Que asocia a las variables predictoras o factores Z1, Z2 y Z3 o dosificación de xantato amílico de potasio (PAX), sulfato de Zinc (ZnSO4) y óxido de Calcio (CaO) respectivamente, con la variable respuesta recuperación de sulfuros de cobre, resultando como variables principales la dosificación de PAX y CaO. La segunda etapa desarrolló un diseño hexagonal (optimización) con las variables principales o más significativas de la etapa 1 (Screening), donde se determinó que la dosificación óptima de PAX y CaO equivalentes

The objective of this work is to increase the recovery of copper sulphides in the flotation operation at the beneficiation plant of the Shuntur S.A.C. For this, tests were carried out at the laboratory level and two-stage experimental designs were applied, the first stage (screening) developed a 23 factorial design and (03) three points in the center, where a multivariable first- order mathematical model was obtained that has the following form: Y = 112.45 – 0.431Z1 – 0.119Z2 – 29.502Z3 – 0.003Z1.Z2 + 0.527Z1.Z3 + 0.135Z2.Z3 – 0.003Z1.Z2.Z3 Which associates the predictor variables or factors Z1, Z2 and Z3 or dosage of potassium amyl xanthate (PAX), Zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) and Calcium oxide (CaO) respectively, with the response variable recovery of copper sulphides, resulting as main variables the dosage of PAX and CaO. The second stage developed a hexagonal design (optimization) with the main or most significant variables of stage 1 (screening), where it was determined that the optimal dosage of potassium amyl xanthate (PAX) and calcium oxide (CaO) equivalent to 70.8 g / t and 0.82 kg / t, maximizes the recovery of copper sulphides up to 89.43%. Finally, the optimal dosage obtained at the laboratory level was applied in the operation, achieving an increase of 2.1% in the recovery of copper sulphides, which is the difference between the average recoveries between January and September for the years 2016 and 2017. and it is equivalent to an increase of 9.8% or 161.48 thousand dollars over the value of copper concentrate produced. Likewise, a 12% reduction in the total accumulated cost of flotation reagent consumption was achieved, equivalent to 19.37 thousand dollars, and finally, an adequate control of the physical stock of reagents in the operation, during the period January to September year 2017 compared to the results obtained in 2016.