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Practical Experience in Large-Scale Development of Zijinshan Low-Grade Gold-Copper Mine

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Abstract

The Zijinshan gold-copper mine, in spite of the low-grade nature of the ore, has become one of the largest production-scale and most profitable non-ferrous metal mines in China. The successful application of hydrometallurgy as well as proper engineering design are the key factors for large-scale development of the Zijinshan gold-copper mine. In this contribution, the practical experience acquired in the development of the Zijinshan gold and copper mines is summarized. This covers most aspects of the production process including mining, beneficiation, ore stacking, heap (bio)leaching, carbon-in-leach, solvent extraction, electrowinning, wastewater and tailing treatments. The authors believe that this practical experience will not only help to promote the development of hydrometallurgy, but can also serve as a model for other gold and/or copper plants around the world.

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Acknowledgements

This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under grant nos. 51874101 and 51704153.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Zijin Mining, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China

    Jinghe Chen, Shuiping Zhong & Ding Tang

  2. Zijin Mining Group Co., Ltd, Shanghang, 364200, Fujian, China

    Jinghe Chen, Shuiping Zhong, Ding Tang & Chen Kuang

  3. State Key Laboratory of Comprehensive Utilization of Low Grade Refractory Gold Ores, Shanghang, 364200, Fujian, China

    Jinghe Chen, Shuiping Zhong, Ding Tang & Chen Kuang

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  1. Jinghe Chen
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  2. Shuiping Zhong
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  3. Ding Tang
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  4. Chen Kuang
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Correspondence to Shuiping Zhong.

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Chen, J., Zhong, S., Tang, D. et al. Practical Experience in Large-Scale Development of Zijinshan Low-Grade Gold-Copper Mine. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 37, 1339–1347 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-020-00237-2

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