WATER QUALITY CHANGE DUE TO THE MINE BACKFILLING AND ITS POSSIBLE RESPONSE TO TALC FLOTATION

Abstract

A study was carried out in the framework of international R&D Project to determine the effect of water quality changes due to mine backfilling on talc flotation performance. The influence of two types of cemented paste backfill (Shotcrete and backfill) on flotation process water was investigated using the indoor soaking method, and the water quality was evaluated through water chemistry analysis, in addition to measuring pH, conductivity, and zeta potential as a function of soaking time. At the same time, talc batch flotation tests were performed using a KHD Humboldt Wedag lab cell for a period of 20 minutes. Soaking water at different soaking times was used as a process water for flotation, and tap water was also used to establish a reference response. Based upon the experimental results from the talc flotation and the several water quality parameters measured in the soaking water, conclusions were drawn.