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The Influence of Microwave Heating on the Crystal Structure and Work Index of Cimanggu (West Java) Gold Ore
Arief Sudarsono, Sudaryanto & Pramusanto
Abstract. The energy consumed in the comminution can reach up to 50- 70% of the whole energy consumed in the mineral processing. It is necessary to reduce the consumption of the comminution energy changing the physical characteristic of the ore. The microwave energy heating used on the ore before comminution is one of the applicable alternatives. In this research the grinding energy of the Cimanggu gold ore, West Java, has been observed before and after the microwave heating treatment. The result indicates that the microwave treatment can cause physical structural changes on certain minerals, and the rock become more brittle. It can shorten and reduce the grinding time and energy. By microwave energy induced for 5, 15, 30, 60, 120, and 300 seconds prior to grinding, the work index was reduced by about 20 to 35%.
Keywords: microwave energy; work index; comminution; crystal structure; iron ore
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