• Resources Recycling
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2011

This study was conducted to recycle flotation tailings as non-sintered construction materials considering the economic and eco-friendly treatments. The particle size distribution( median $220\;{\mu}m$) of flotation tailings from Soon-shin mine was confirmed to be larger than that(median $140\;{\mu}m$) of tailings from Sam-kwang mine. Thus we investigated the properties of non-sintered eco-brick producted with the tailings from Sam-kwang mine and non-sintered water permeable block producted with the tailings from Soon-shin mine. Compressive strength of non-sintered water permeable block which was made with less than 25 wt% of tailings from Soon-shin mine was met with products class(over 14.70 MPa) of water permeable concrete(EL 245) from KEITL. Meanwhile, the coefficient of its permeability wasn't met with the products class( over $1.0{\times}10^{-2}\;cm/sec$). The properties of non-sintered eco-brick with less than 40 wt% of tailings from Sam-kwang mine were satisfied with third class in sintered clay brick products standard(KS L 4201). The non-sintered eco-brick as a result of leaching test on heavy metals by KSLT was verified to be environmentally stabile.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.235-242
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• 2010

Froth flotation using the residual water in the end of flotation process has been performed through controlling of pH. IEP (isoelectric point) of molybdenite and quartz in distilled water was below pH 3 and pH 2.7, respectively and the stabilized range was pH 5~10. In case of a suspension in reusing water, zeta potential of molybdenite decreased to below -10 mV or less at over pH 4 due to residual flocculants. As result of pH control, flotation efficiency in the alkaline conditions was deteriorated by flocculation, resulting from expanded polymer chain, ion bridge of the divalent metal cations ($Ca^{2+}$), and hydrophobic interactions between the nonpolar site of polymer/the hydrophobic areas of the particle surfaces. However, the weak acid conditions (pH 5.5~6) improved the efficiency of flotation as hydrogen ions neutralize polymer chains and then weakened its function. In cleans after rougher flotation, the Mo grade of 52.7% and recovery of 90.1% could be successfully obtained under the conditions of 20 g/t kerosene, 50 g/t AF65, 300 g/t $Na_2SiO_3$, pH 5.5 and 2 cleaning times. Hence, we developed a technique which can continuously supply waste water filtered from tailings into the grinding-rougher-cleaning processes.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.61-69
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• 2010

S.M.C (DSME), only operating gold mine in Korea, is processing about 160 ton/day to recover gold and more than 150 ton/day of tailing is produced. Some portion of the tailings are used as a filler material after drying, but most of them are stored on the tailing dam. As a result of chemical analysis by a fire assay method, it contained Au 1.5~2.0 g/ton and 225~300 g per day of gold is getting discarded. It is urgent to develop a technology to recover and reutilize Au. In the present study, flotation tests were carried out to recovery gold for the tailings. Test results show that products with gold grade 21.31 g/ton(Au grade) and 62.73% (Au recovery) were obtained under the optimal conditions including KAX addition rate 97.2 g/ton, frother AF 65 (0.248 l/ton) and depressant sodium silicate (4 kg/ton), it's possible to recover one of the most valuable metal Au, by re-feeding to rougher flotation.