Improving coarse particle flotation using the HydroFloat™ (raising the trunk of the elephant curve)

Copper minerals flotation in flotation plant of the "Rudnik" mine

“…This size fraction is optimal for selective copper minerals flotation process. (George et al, 2004;Gontijo et al, 2007;Ata & Jameson, 2013;Cveticanin, 2017;Kohmuench et al, 2018;Maknosa et al, 2018;Jameson & Emer, 2019) In this size fraction chalcopyrite is appearing in mostly liberated particles form. In comparison with -0,104+0,074 mm fraction chalcopyrite has significantly higher liberation degree.…”

“…This size fraction is optimal for flotation process and very small amount of free galena and sphalerite particles is present. (George et al, 2004;Gontijo et al, 2007;Ata & Jameson, 2013;Cveticanin, 2017;Kohmuench et al, 2018;Maknosa et al, 2018;Jameson & Emer, 2019) This galena and sphalerite particles could not be liberated without additional milling of ore. Due to complex structural-textural characteristic of one part of the ore, poly-mineral intergrowth particles are present in the milled ore and it could not be expected that at the optimum particles size fraction for flotation the presence of intergrowth particles could be avoided. (Tomanec, 2011) Metals and minerals distribution in -0,074+0,038 mm fraction of copper concentrate…”

Reprocessing of a Southern Chilean Zn Tailing by Flotation—A Case Study

“…The authors suggested when operating at higher particle size distributions a certain amount of fine particles in the system can be beneficial to dynamic froth stability and flotation performance [17]. The second option is a focus on coarse particle recovery, for example with a Jameson cell and a reported maximum floating particle size of 200 µm to 320 µm depending on the contact angle as reported by Reference [37] or other concepts focusing on coarse particle recovery [7]. Additionally, a regrind of the coarse particle flotation tailing stream could be reasonable to improve the liberation for standard flotation test work.…”

“…An alternative option not relying on own experimental data could be derived from the recovery by size curves in base metal production as reported in Reference [36] and implemented into the concept reported by Reference [16]. Considering technological developments in flotation with a focus on fine [8] and coarse particle recovery [7,37], the application of the aforementioned options within the LCF and 3D modelling concept might not reflect the optimum conditions for valuable recovery, but result in a good indicator for reprocessing potentials and their distribution within tailing dams. In this case, the LFC approach can be beneficial as the valuables and possibly problematic minerals are distributed heterogeneously within the sampled horizons as depicted in Table 3.…”

“…From an economic perspective, not only residual amounts of the initial primary resource of the mining operation, but the overall potential of value elements should be considered due to changing demands as a result of technological developments [4]. Advances in analytical techniques like the mineral liberation analysis (MLA) [5,6] as well as improvements in machinery, for example in fine and coarse particle recovery [7][8][9] or flotation techniques [10,11], can be applied to recover valuables.…”