Leaching of coarse caliche ore

Javier I. Ordez, Silvia Valdez, Luis Moreno and Luis A. Cisternas

Outline

Introduction

Methodology

Results & Discussion

Introduction
Methodology
Column leaching experiments
Physical characterization of caliche ores
Results and discussion
Conclusions

Conclusions

Outline

Introduction

Methodology

Results & Discussion

Conclusions

Caliche
Composition
Major
Sulphates
Chlorides
Nitrates

Minor
Iodates
Perchlorates

Insoluble
Quartz
Other silicates

Distribution

Outline

Introduction

Methodology

Results & Discussion

Conclusions

Caliche
Processing

Main products

Prilled iodine

Prilled sodium nitrate

Prilled potassium nitrate

Outline

Introduction

Methodology

Results & Discussion

Conclusions

Leaching differences
Caliche ore

Metallic ore

Dissolution governed by
solubility differences.

Dissolution governed by
chemical reactions.

Ores composed by a high

water-soluble fraction.

Ores composed by low

fraction
of
reacting
species.

Relevant diminution of
particle & heap sizes
during leaching.

Non relevant diminution

of particle & heap sizes
during leaching

Outline

Introduction

Methodology

Results & Discussion

Conclusions

Objective
One of the causes for poor performance of heap leaching
Inadequate understanding of the mineralogy and
the physical properties
Experiments of physical
characterization

Experiments of column
leaching

Outline

Introduction

Methodology

Results & Discussion

Conclusions

Column leaching experiments

Soluble composition of caliche (g/100 g).
NO34.7
IO30.01
Cl8.5
SO42
9.5
ClO40.03
BO330.09
K+
1.2
Ca2+
0.8
Mg2+
0.6
Na+
8.6

Soluble

Halite
Humberstonite
Nitratine
Sulphate (widely distributed)

Insoluble
Quartz
Albite

Outline

Introduction

Methodology

Results & Discussion

Column leaching experiments

Particles 14 cm were used, which were one-side
flattened and attached to wall column with silicone.

Remaining spaces were filled with glass particles.

Demineralized water was used as leachant.

The leaching was performed for 71 days.

Conclusions

Outline

Introduction

Methodology

Results & Discussion

Conclusions

Physical characterization of caliche ore

Apparent density

Characteristics

Open porosity
Capillary suction
Permeability

These characteristics give useful information to

understand the heap leaching phenomena associated to
the mineral.

Outline

Introduction

Methodology

Results & Discussion

Conclusions

Physical characterization of caliche ores Capillary suction

The capillary suction was measured in
terms of the capillary coefficient (kc):
=

Cube-shaped rocks were put in contact

with kerosene during 5 hours.
Kerosene was chosen because does not
dissolve caliche constituents.

Outline

Introduction

Methodology

Results & Discussion

Conclusions

Physical characterization of caliche ores Permeability

The permeability coefficient (K) was calculated:
= ln

Cubic samples with cross sectional areas of 50 cm2

and predrilled in the middle were used.
Samples were sealed and then saturated in
vacuum with kerosene (24 h).

3.5 m

Outline

Introduction

Methodology

Results & Discussion

Conclusions

Column leaching experiments

The use of glass stones favors the channeling into the column.

NO3NO3NO3
Cl

Cl

Cl

Ca Ca Ca

0.4 0.4 0.4

0.2 0.2 0.2

0.6 0.6 0.6

0.4 0.4 0.4
0.2 0.2 0.2

ClO4ClO4ClO4
IO3 IO3 IO3
K

Relative recovery

0.6 0.6 0.6

Relative recovery

0.8 0.8 0.8

Relative recovery

0.8 0.8 0.8

Relative recovery

0.8 0.8 0.8

Relative recovery

1.0 1.0 1.0

Relative recovery

1.0 1.0 1.0

Relative recovery

1.0 1.0 1.0

Relative recovery

Relative recovery

A significant fraction of leachant pass directly through the column without

be used for leaching.

0.6 0.6 0.6

0.4 0.4 0.4
0.2 0.2 0.2

SO4 SO4 SO4

0.0 0.0 0.0

0 0 0

250 250 250

Time,
Time,
h Time,
h h

500 500 500

0.0 0.0 0.0

0 0 0

250 250 250

Time,
Time,
h Time,
h h

500 500 500

Na Na Na
Mg Mg Mg
B

0.0 0.0 0.0

0 0 0

250 250 250

Time,
Time,
h Time,
h h

500 500 500

Outline

Introduction

Methodology

Results & Discussion

Conclusions

The final recoveries of all ions were

similar between both experiments.

1.0

1.0

0.8

0.8

Relative recovery

Comparing the results of coarse (CL) and

fine particle leaching (FL).

Relative recovery

Column leaching experiments

0.6
0.4
NO3_FL

0.2

NO3_CL

0.0
0

250

0.6
0.4
IO3_FL

0.2

IO3_CL

0.0
500

Leachant preferably flowed by the

periphery of rocks; however at the end,
all particles were completely wetted.

1.0

1.0

0.8

0.8

0.6
0.4
Cl_FL

0.2

Cl_CL

0.0
0

250
Time, h

500

Time, h

Relative recovery

Particle size is determinant in the

dissolution behaviour.

Relative recovery

Time, h

250

0.6
0.4
SO4_FL

0.2

SO4_CL

0.0
500

250
Time, h

500

Outline

Introduction

Methodology

Results & Discussion

Conclusions

Physical characterization Porosity & Density

When the porosity was determined by simple immersion
without vacuum, the porosity was significantly less.
The values of density are notably greater than other reported in
the literature.
Density and porosity determinations (statistics of 14 samples)
Entity

Density, kg/m3 Porosity, %

Porosity, %
(Vacuum + immersion) (Only immersion)
Lowest value
2 102
2.4
2.2
Highest value
2 468
16.3
12.4
Average value
2 309
9.5
6.9
SD
131
5.5
4.0

Outline

Introduction

Methodology

Results & Discussion

Conclusions

Physical characterization - Capillarity

The capillarity of caliche was high
and is dependent of other rock
characteristics (porosity and pore
size).
The
velocity
of
kerosene
absorption was initially faster and
gradually decayed.

Specific solution mass, kg /m2

14
C9

12

C7

10

C4

8
6
4
2
0
0.0

0.4

0.8

time, h0.5

Sample
kc, kg/m2/h0.5

Mean SD
3.6
2.7

1.2

Outline

Introduction

Methodology

Results & Discussion

Conclusions

Physical characterization - Permeability

Small permeability coefficients were obtained.
Low permeability values are obtained not only in formations
with unconnected pores but also with small pores.
Permeability coefficient (K, m2) determined for caliche samples
P1
7.4*10-18

P2
5.7*10-17

P3
8.1*10-17

Mean
4.9*10-17

SD
3.8*10-17

Outline

Introduction

Methodology

Results & Discussion

Conclusions

A column leaching experiment was performed, using

large particles of caliche.
The particle size importance was no critical since high recoveries
were reached.

Caliche is a mineral with a wide variety of constituents,

therefore the determination of properties results
complex.
Range of values for apparent density, total porosity, capillary and
permeability coefficients were proposed in this work.

Leaching of coarse caliche ore

Javier I. Ordez, Silvia Valdez, Luis Moreno and Luis A. Cisternas