Investigating the Potential of HydroFloat (TM) Coarse Particle Flotation Techniques on Copper Sulphide Ores
P J Mehrfert
49th Annual Canadian Minerals Processors Conference Proceedings, Ottawa, Canada, 2017.
ABSTRACT
Recovery of mineralized coarse particles is notoriously low in conventional concentrators that treat copper porphyry ores. The application of coarse particle flotation techniques has the potential to achieve comparable metallurgical performance at significantly coarser primary grind sizings. ALS Metallurgy has been conducting both internal research and commercial test programs to investigate the potential of Eriez HydroFloat™ technology on copper sulphide ores. Test data indicates that significant improvements in the recovery of copper sulphide bearing particles between 200µm to 850µm can be achieved using HydroFloat™ technology compared to conventional flotation techniques. This paper summarizes the results from a selection of test programs that includes recovery by size data from both conventional flotation and HydroFloat™ tests. An explanation of the apparatus and test procedure will be given. Mineralogical analyses of the test products and characteristics that limit metallurgical performance will be discussed.
(1) ALS Metallurgy, 2957 Bowers Place, Kamloops, Canada, V1S 1W5
CITATION:
Mehrfert. Investigating the Potential of HydroFloat (TM) Coarse Particle Flotation Techniques on Copper Sulphide Ores, in Muinonen J, Cameron R and Zinck J (Editors) 49th Annual Canadian Minerals Processors Conference Proceedings, pp TBA, Ottawa, Canada, 2017, Office of the Secretary of the Canadian Mineral Processors, a Technical Society of The Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM).
CEEC acknowledges and thanks the CIM and the Canadian Minerals Processors Society (CMP). Proceedings can be purchased from CMP's website for $10 here.
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