Method for Processing Ore to Minimize the Production of Acidic Wastes

Abstract

A method for processing ore using carbonates so as to minimize the production of acidic wastes. The method includes adding the carbonates to the ore and after the carbonates have been added to the ore, substantially jointly grinding the ore and the carbonates to produce a treated ore mixture. Substantially jointly grinding the ore and the carbonates substantially mixes and homogenizes the ore and the carbonates so that acids subsequently created within the treated ore mixture are substantially neutralized within the treated ore mixture by the carbonates.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for processing ore using carbonates so as to minimize the production of acidic wastes, said method comprising:
 adding said carbonates to said ore; and   after said carbonates have been added to said ore, substantially jointly grinding said ore and said carbonates to produce a treated ore mixture;   whereby substantially jointly grinding said ore and said carbonates substantially mixes and homogenizes said ore and said carbonates so that acids subsequently created within said treated ore mixture are substantially neutralized within said treated ore mixture by said carbonates.   
     
     
         2 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein adding said carbonates to said ore includes adding carbonates which are substantially insoluble in water to said ore. 
     
     
         3 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein adding said carbonates to said ore includes adding dolomite to said ore. 
     
     
         4 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein adding said carbonates to said ore includes adding calcite to said ore. 
     
     
         5 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising assessing an acid generating potential of said ore, said carbonates being added to said ore in an amount having an acid neutralizing potential sufficient for neutralizing at least said acid generating potential of said ore. 
     
     
         6 . A method as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said carbonates are added to said ore in an amount having an acid neutralizing potential sufficient for neutralizing about twice said acid generating potential of said ore. 
     
     
         7 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising assessing an acid generating potential of said ore and an acid neutralizing potential of said ore, said carbonates being added to said ore in an amount such that an acid neutralizing potentials of said carbonates and said acid neutralizing potential of said ore are together sufficient for neutralizing at least said acid generating potential of said ore. 
     
     
         8 . A method as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said carbonates are added to said ore in an amount such that said acid neutralizing potentials of said carbonates and said acid neutralizing potential of said ore are together sufficient for neutralizing about twice said acid generating potential of said ore. 
     
     
         9 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said ore and said carbonates are ground in a manner such as to obtain a treated ore mixture in which said ore and said carbonates have a substantially similar granulometry. 
     
     
         10 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said ore includes sulphites having a potential to generate sulphuric acid. 
     
     
         11 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising crushing said ore before grinding said ore. 
     
     
         12 . A method as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said carbonates are added to said ore before said ore is crushed, said ore and said carbonated being thereby crushed jointly. 
     
     
         13 . A method for processing ore using carbonates so as to minimize the production of acidic wastes, said method comprising:
 grinding said carbonates and said ore so that said carbonates and said ore have a substantially similar granulometry;   mixing said ground carbonates and said ground ore to produce a treated ore mixture;   whereby mixing said carbonates and said ore produces a treated ore mixture such that acids subsequently created within said treated ore mixture are substantially neutralized within said treated ore mixture by said carbonates.   
     
     
         14 . A method as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said carbonates and said ore are ground separately from each other before being mixed together.