Author:
M. Mullett
6th conference of the Aseanian Membrane Society in conjunction with the 7th International Membrane Science and Technology Conference (AMS6/IMSTEC10)
Abstract
Straits Resources Limited operates a processing plant to produce antimony metal, gold bullion and tungsten concentrate at its operations at the Hillgrove Mine in New South Wales. The plant operated a bulk flotation circuit to produce a combined concentrate of stibnite (for antimony) and arsenopyrite (for gold) and an electrowinning (EW) circuit to recover the metal products. A build up of inorganic impurities in the tailings storage facility (TSF) water, which is recycled to the flotation circuit, led to poor recoveries of sulphide minerals in the float circuit. This influenced a decision to suspend operations. One option to enable the facility to restart its operations, was to develop a process to treat the TSF water returning to the flotation circuit. Reverse osmosis membrane treatment of the TSF water was unsuccessfully attempted by a third party due to the rapid onset of irreversible fouling. Hatch was engaged by Straits to undertake bench-top and pilot studies to develop a sustainable membrane treatment regime.
