SYSTEM APPROACH TO THE ANALYSIS OF COPPER CONCENTRATE PRODUCTION

Abstract

In this paper, the production of copper flotation concentrate in the copper mineral processing plant „Veliki Krivelj“ (RTB Bor) was analysed. The correlation between the input parameters (copper content in the feed, consumption of lime, consumption of frother, collector consumption in the rough flotation stage, collector consumption in the scavenger stage and the pulp density in the rough flotation stage) and output parameters (copper content and recovery in the final concentrate) is accomplished by a systemic approach. The data for analysis were obtained in the time period November 2009 – February 2010 of the plant operation. Data were collected on a daily basis for all three shifts. For the analysis of obtained data, the techniques of linear and nonlinear statistical analysis were applied. Accordingly, the starting data were used to develop optimization model, which could be useful for the further analysis of the influence of input parameters on the final outputs – i.e. final concentrate grade and recovery.