Abstract

ZAMORA E, Gerardo  and  TORREZ CH, José Ariel. Circular economy in mineral processing: use of treated urban wastewater in sulfurated mineral flotation processes. REV. MAMYM [online]. 2021, vol.6, n.2, pp.54-66. ISSN 2519-5352.

ABSTRACT In general, in the mining-metallurgical industry that takes place in semi-arid areas, the use and consumption of water has been reduced considerably through its recirculation in the process. Despite this, there is currently in many mining areas of the Bolivian highlands, a great shortage of water to satisfy the mineral processing plants of some mining companies, giving priority to its use in supplying the mining populations. On the other hand, the mining towns in these areas do not have treatment plants for their urban wastewater; therefore, their discharge alters the quality of surface and groundwater. In this context, and within the framework of the circular economy in mining-metallurgical processing, comprehensive solution alternatives must be sought that go through establishing the technical feasibility of using treated urban wastewater for its application in mineral flotation processes von sulfides and the design of wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), so that their discharges can be used in said flotation processes. This research focused on studying the application of treated wastewater from a WWTP in the processing of sulphide minerals from the Poopó mining deposit and the design of a WWTP with activated sludge technology for the municipality of the same name. The experimental tests were carried out with a sample of sulfurized mineral from the mining mill located in the municipality of Poopó with treated water from the WWTP of the municipality of Yunguyo-Peru, this was chosen because it presented the highest levels of treatment efficiency. It was determined that with the mentioned waters it is possible to reach Zn concentrates of up to 46.39%, with a recovery of 94.28%. On the other hand, the design and sizing of the WWTP by activated sludge technology, for a projected population of 11668 inhabitants over 15 years, will allow an effluent discharge of about 5 ppm of BOD5 and 32 ppm of suspended solids according to the following design proposal: Qdesign = 80.96 l / s, Vdesander = 1239.30 m3, Vreactor aerated = 1799.59 m3, and Vreactor chlorination = 1253.83 m3 / day. In conclusion, the implementation of a WWTP in the municipality of Poopó would allow the discharge of treated wastewater that may be sufficient in volume and suitable for the zinc mineral flotation process at the Poopó mining plant.

Keywords : Circular Economy in Mining; Use of floating wastewater; Design and dimensioning of WWTP.

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