Using In Situ Measurements and Modelling to Effectively Manage Large Copper Sulfide Bearing Ore Stockpiles

Authors: Garvie, AM; Linklater, CM; Lestari, R; McCaffery, K Download Paper

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/802_15

Cite As:
Garvie, AM, Linklater, CM, Lestari, R & McCaffery, K 2008, 'Using In Situ Measurements and Modelling to Effectively Manage Large Copper Sulfide Bearing Ore Stockpiles', in AB Fourie (ed.), Rock Dumps 2008: Proceedings of the First International Seminar on the Management of Rock Dumps, Stockpiles and Heap Leach Pads, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 167-177, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/802_15



Abstract:
At the Batu Hijau mine, located on Sumbawa Island, Indonesia, PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara plans to stockpile approximately 500 Mt of copper ore, for up to 20 years. Much of the copper is present as the copper sulfide chalcopyrite. Construction of the stockpile commenced in late 2000 and as of early 2007 the pile contained regions more than 100 m high. Oxidation of chalcopyrite in stockpiled ore results in reduced copper recovery during flotation. Thus, there is a need to both forecast and, ideally, reduce the extent of chalcopyrite oxidation occurring over the lifetime of the stockpile. A combined field measurement and modelling program was undertaken to; identify the main mechanisms leading to oxidation, predict rate of chalcopyrite oxidation and simulate the reduction of oxidation of alternative stockpile designs.

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