Froth Flotation (Sulphide & Oxide)

Froth Flotation (Sulphide & Oxide)

  • To participate in the 911Metallurgist Forums, be sure to JOINLOGIN
  • Use Add New Topic to ask a New Question/Discussion about Flotation.
  • OR Select a Topic that Interests you.
  • Use Add Reply = to Reply/Participate in a Topic/Discussion (most frequent).
    Using Add Reply allows you to Attach Images or PDF files and provide a more complete input.
  • Use Add Comment = to comment on someone else’s Reply in an already active Topic/Discussion.

optimizing flotation recovery (2 replies and 1 comment)

J
Buka
7 years ago
Buka 7 years ago

I am working on a project to improve the flotation recovery of a mine. The current flotation recovery of that mine is 80% gold and 85% silver. Blending is done at the ratio of 75% oxidized ore and 25% fresh ore. How can i improve the flotation recovery ?

J
J. Neumann
7 years ago
J. Neumann 7 years ago
1 like by Buka

A couple things to try:

-Water source.  Try fresh water vs. mine water.  If the water source is a tailings reservoir, you may be limited, but sometimes the water from the mine gives better control of the circuit.

-pH.  Try lower pH (4.0), normal pH (6.5-8.0), and high pH (9.0+).  Milk of Lime is good way to raise pH if available.

-Grind size. Try coarser grind first to make sure flotation product meets con grade desired.  Fine grind typically yields lower recovery, but depending on minerology could give better recovery.

-Oxygen scavenger. Add a chemical to the grind like sodium bisulfite that will help keep metals from oxidizing.  This one could be tricky with the high amount of oxidized ore.

-Smaller bubble size. Typically reducing bubble size helps recover fine particles better and normally doesn't hurt coarse particles too bad.  This can be done with more frother or adjustments to flotation equipment (if possible).  This will cause a huge drop in concentrate grade typically, so it is important to know what is desired.

 

Those are the basics. What type of flotation equipment are you using?  Some things may be done depending on equipment available.

J
Buka
7 years ago

A WEMCO flotation cells is used.
Thank you.

b
Robert
7 years ago
Robert 7 years ago

Characterise the ore:

  • How are silver and gold present in the feed for major ore types- free, as mineral(s), liberated, locked, data by size, etc.
  • How is gold present in the tailings for major ore types - same questions as above.    

Please join and login to participate and leave a comment.