To save freshwater resources and comply with environmental regulations, minerals processing operations are transitioning to partially or fully closed water circulation. However, the accumulation of electrolytes and the addition of reagents lead to changes in water composition and may compromise flotation performance and plant maintenance. As a consequence, costly modifications are often required to cope with these challenges. Therefore, knowledge about water quality variation owing to closed water circulation and its potential effect on the flotation performance is crucial. The experimental methodology presented in this paper targeted three main objectives: (1) predicting the tendency of the accumulation of elements and compounds into the process water during comminution, flotation, and storage in tailings facilities; (2) establishing a relationship between laboratory results and plant historical water quality data; and (3) predicting the potential effect of recycling water on flotation performance. The results obtained with Boliden Kevitsa ore showed a good correlation between the water matrix of the actual process water on-site and that obtained in the ore dissolution tests done in the laboratory. The final water composition came close to the process water in terms of major elements and some of the minor elements. Additionally, the work presented in this paper demonstrated that a dissolution loop allowed us to predict the potential impact of the recycling water on the ore flotability. This methodology could serve as an aid for predicting water quality matrix variation and designing closed water circulation systems at existing and new plants.

中文翻译：

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估计在封闭水循环下运行的矿产加工厂中水质变化的溶出度测试规程

为了节省淡水资源并遵守环境法规，矿物加工业务正在向部分或完全封闭的水循环过渡。但是，电解质的积累和试剂的添加会导致水成分的变化，并可能影响浮选性能和工厂维护。结果，常常需要昂贵的修改来应对这些挑战。因此，了解由于封闭水循环而引起的水质变化及其对浮选性能的潜在影响至关重要。本文提出的实验方法主要针对以下三个主要目标：（1）预测在尾矿设施的粉碎，浮选和储存过程中元素和化合物在工艺水中的积累趋势；（2）建立实验室结果与植物历史水质数据之间的关系；（3）预测回用水对浮选性能的潜在影响。用Boliden Kevitsa矿石获得的结果表明，现场实际生产用水的水基质与实验室进行的矿石溶解测试中的基质之间具有良好的相关性。就主要元素和一些次要元素而言，最终的水成分接近于工艺用水。此外，本文介绍的工作表明，溶解环使我们能够预测循环水对矿石浮选的潜在影响。这种方法可以帮助预测水质矩阵变化并设计现有工厂和新工厂的封闭水循环系统。