Abstract: Compositions and methods for dispersing metal sulfates are provided. A method for dispersing metal sulfates includes providing a mineral ore; contacting an acidic leaching solution with the mineral ore; adding a dispersion additive to the mineral ore and/or leaching solution to disperse the metal sulfates therein, wherein the dispersion additive is chosen from a water-soluble aromatic surfactant, a lignosulfonate, a naphthalene sulfonate, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for dispersing complex scale based on elemental sulfur are provided. A method for dispersing elemental sulfur in acidic water includes providing water including elemental sulfur and adding from about 1 to about 100 parts by weight of a sulfur dispersion additive to the water based on one million parts by weight of the water to disperse the elemental sulfur in the water. The sulfur dispersion additive is chosen from a water soluble aromatic surfactant, a lignosulfonate, a naphthalene sulfonate, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A scale inhibitor composition for reducing calcium scale under stressed conditions is disclosed. The composition comprises a combination of scale inhibiting components, including an acrylic acid polymer and a chelant. The acrylic acid polymer is provided as an aqueous polymerization reaction product of an acrylic acid and a chain transfer agent, with the acrylic acid polymer having a weight averaged molecular weight (Mw) of from about 1,300 to about 15,000 Daltons. A method of preparing the scale inhibitor composition is also disclosed, and comprises reacting the acrylic acid and the chain transfer agent to give the reaction product comprising the acrylic acid polymer, and combining the reaction product with the chelant. A process for ameliorating calcite scale in a mining operation is further disclosed.

Abstract: A scale inhibitor composition for reducing calcium scale under stressed conditions is disclosed. The composition comprises an aqueous polymerization reaction product of an acrylic acid and a chain transfer agent, the reaction product comprising a low-molecular weight acrylic acid polymer having a weight averaged molecular weight (Mw) of from about 1,300 to about 15,000 Daltons. A method of preparing the scale inhibitor composition is also disclosed, and comprises reacting the acrylic acid and the chain transfer agent to give the reaction product comprising the acrylic acid polymer. A process for ameliorating calcite scale in a mining operation is further disclosed. The process comprises adding the scale inhibitor composition to process water comprising at least one stressed scaling condition.