21-Mat-B1 Hydrometallurgy and Electrometallurgy, December 2016: worked solutions

Paper format. National Professional Examinations, December 2016 — 10-Met-B1, Mineral Processing. Three hours, closed book, approved Casio/Sharp calculator only. Six numbered Problems plus a two-mark Bonus Question; the rubric requires all problems except Problem 5, which is answered as any SIX of ten short sketch-and-describe topics. All ten topics of Problem 5 are answered here, since this set is a study resource rather than an exam script.

Note on the exam title

Nothing on the paper is a hydrometallurgy (leaching, solvent extraction, electrowinning) or electrometallurgy question; the syllabus actually examined is comminution and grinding-circuit mass balance, sampling theory, classification, gravity concentration and froth flotation — i.e. the physical/mechanical beneficiation stage that precedes hydro- or pyro-metallurgical extraction.

Note on recycled data

Reference texts. The answers below are keyed to the works normally recommended for this syllabus code:

B. A. Wills and J. A. Finch, Wills' Mineral Processing Technology, 8th ed. — comminution and Bond's law (Ch. 6), particle size analysis and sampling (Ch. 3–4), classification and hydrocyclones (Ch. 9), gravity concentration (Ch. 10), froth flotation (Ch. 12), dense-medium separation (Ch. 11), thickening (Ch. 15), tailings management.
P. M. Gy, Sampling of Particulate Materials: Theory and Practice — the Gy sampling-constant equation used in Question 1(e).
F. F. Aplan (ed.), SME Mineral Processing Handbook — flotation reagents (collectors, frothers, activators, depressants), flotation kinetics.
A. Taggart, Handbook of Mineral Dressing — classical terminology (probable error, imperfection, ratio of concentration, jigging, crusher types).

21-Mat-B1 Hydrometallurgy and Electrometallurgy: December 2016