Integrated Approaches for the Study of Real Mineral Flotation Systems

Abstract

Abstract:It is more common than not, for mineral processing studies to proceed via the examination of model flotation systems with the resulting data often lacking statistical verification. The resultant concentrates and tails may then be subjected to a restricted range of analyses, for diagnosis of the flotation behavior variations observed, that themselves bias the outcomes. For instance surface analysis may be undertaken without reference to solution speciation, or liberation may be studied but surface speciation may not be taken into account. We propose an integrated approach whereby firstly the flotation data are vigorously scrutinized and the mineralogy, liberation, surface and solution speciation are examined in parallel to establish a chemical over view of the system. It is proposed that to make progress in the understanding of flotation systems, in terms of the minerals chemistry, that a multi-dimensional analytical approach is utilized and that the focus shifts towards the analysis of real ores and industrial flotation systems.

Geostatistical Methodology to Characterize Volcanogenic Massive and Stockwork Ore Deposits

“…Stockwork ores exhibit higher recovery of metals in mineral processing as compared to massive ores with equivalent grades, because flotation separation between chalcopyrite and pyrite is lower in efficiency than between chalcopyrite and host rock [21]. Despite the effective copper grades being much lower in the stockwork ores than in the massive ores (internal dilution due to blend of small veins with host rock), the copper grades in the fraction of sulfides within stockwork ores are in average more than the double of those in the massive sulfides, and this issue increases the relevance of the stockwork ores even in regions with poor copper grades.…”

Nickel laterite concentration through a non-conventional method with surface sulfidization

“…Tertiary headings use normal text and size 10, for example: Flotation has been widely used for the separation of valuable minerals from the gangue based on their surface characteristics and differences in the hydrophobicity of the mineral surfaces. Since the hydrophobicity of minerals differs widely from one another, their separation by flotation will be easier [19,20] and depends on the adhesion of some solids to the gas bubbles generated in the pulp by some external means, which is determined by the hydrophobicity of the particle surface through selective adsorption of surfactants called collectors [19,21].…”