Evaluating Copper Rougher-Scavenger Flotation Circuit Grade/Recovery Results

A modal examination of the products produced by the copper flotation rougher-scavenger circuit reveal important information regarding the limits to the efficiency of the process, imposed by mineralogy, fragmentation and flotation capacity. Let’s discusses various aspects of rougher flotation circuit performance and how to evaluate its results .

Rougher Scavenger Kinetics — Rougher Scavenger Circuit Tested for Kinetics

minerals present in the rougher concentrate and scavenger concentrate streams — Typical minerals present in the rougher flotation concentrate and scavenger flotation concentrate streams.

Prior to compositing the individual downbank rougher and scavenger cell products, for modal analysis, the metal distribution by flotation cell products was determined.

It was apparent from this analysis that most of the lead, presumably as liberated galena in the ore, was recovered in the scavenger circuit. Therefore, it was decided to conduct the modal analyses on weighted composites of the rougher concentrate and scavenger concentrate streams.

DOWNBANK RECOVERY OF COPPER SULPHIDE COMPOSITE PARTICLES — Summary of the metallurgical performance of the copper rougher and scavenger circuits.

The recovery of liberated grains of chalcopyrite follows a typical pattern where about 75% of the liberated chalcopyrite is recovered into the rougher concentrate. The copper scavenger circuit essentially recovers the remainder of the liberated chalcopyrite.

Liberated grains of galena are about 15% covered into the copper rougher concentrate. Almost all of the remaining liberated galena is recovered in the copper scavenger concentrate.

The recovery of liberated grains of sphalerite into the rougher and scavenger concentrate increases linearly with flotation time. Overall 15% of the liberated grains of sphalerite are recovered in the combined rougher scavenger concentrate. Liberated pyrite and non-sulphide gangue minerals are efficiently rejected out the scavenger tail stream.

DOWNBANK RECOVERY OF LIBERATED MINERAL GRAINS — Summary of the metallurgical performance of the copper rougher and scavenger circuits.

Chalcopyrite binaries with galena and with pyrite are better than 95% recovered into the combined rougher and scavenger concentrates. Chalcopyrite-sphalerite binaries and chalcopyrite multiphase particles are less well recovered, at about 75% for each class.