Recovery of phosphate ores in the modified three-product column (3PC) flotation cell

This work details the results obtained for the rougher flotation of phosphates in a modified flotation cell known as a three-product column (3PC), at both the laboratory and pilot plant scales. Results were compared to a conventional column cell-CCC. The 3PC cell separates the drained (rejected) particles from the froth zone (third product) and uses a secondary wash water system between the feed and the froth zone (II). Bench-scale studies measured the effect of the two water surface rates on mass and metallurgical recoveries and concentrate grades (P₂O₅, Fe₂O₃, and SiO₂) in all the flows. At pilot scale, the influence of wash water (J_W2) and column design on the flotation separation parameters was studied. Results showed that, compared with the conventional column cell (CCC), the 3PC yielded, in all cases, clean high-grade concentrates, with a minor concentration of impurities (Fe₂O₃ and SiO₂). Concentrate recoveries ranged from 40% to 70% for apatite and were lower when compared to CCC, but it is believed that the third product could be recycled to the fee. This drop-back product operating with J_W2 = 0.0 cm s⁻¹ might yield 5–10% extra in apatite recoveries and enhancing this J_W2 values, the apatite recovery decreased by 0.5–3% but rejection of impurities was very high. Results appear to show that the 3PC may be used as a rougher-flash or Cleaner unit with an optional recycle of the third product into the rougher or simply discarding it. Data on the influence of some cell design and gas dispersion parameters on process efficiency are reported, and the potential practical applications for this type of cell are envisaged.     

弱碱性介质中提高永平铜矿铜金银回收率的研究

T 2K捕收剂与黄铜矿形成正配键和反馈键的能力很强,而与黄铁矿的作用弱。工业试验结果表明,T 2K捕收剂对硫化铜矿物具有优异的捕收能力和选择性,能在弱碱性介质中实现铜的优先浮选,克服黄药混浮工艺铜硫分离时高碱对部分铜、金、银的抑制。与黄药混浮工艺相比,T 2K全优先浮选工艺使铜精矿品位提高0 42%,铜回收率提高2 54%;硫精矿品位提高1 37%,硫回收率提高4 17%;铜精矿中金银回收率也分别提高3 73%和5 73%。     

CCF逆流接触充气式浮选柱在冬瓜山铜矿选矿中的试验研究

针对冬瓜山铜矿铜精选系统存在的原矿品位较低或矿石中蛇纹石等易浮脉石含量增多时,现有工艺难以产出合格铜精矿(品位小于20%)的问题,结合CCF浮选柱的分选原理及分选优势,进行了两个阶段的CCF浮选柱铜精选的半工业试验。半工业试验结果表明,在冬瓜山铜矿粗精矿(品位大于10%)的生产条件下,采用浮选柱一次精选即可分选出铜精矿品位大于21%的铜精矿产品,且选别指标要优于现场生产,浮选柱选别出的精矿中贵金属金和银的含量比现场铜精矿中的分别高0.5和12.7 g/t,CCF浮选柱对细粒级矿物具有很好的选别效果,适合用于冬瓜山铜矿铜精选作业,且能在提高铜精矿品位的同时实现资源的高效回收利用。     

强化红透山铜矿中伴生金银回收效果的选铜试验

在确保铜锌高效回收的前提下,通过试验确定了红透山含金银复杂铜锌硫化矿强化金银回收的合适磨矿细度、捕收剂种类及用量。用优化后的工艺技术条件和现场的1粗2扫3精选铜、中矿顺序返回流程处理该矿石,可获得铜品位为22.22%、回收率为92.21%的铜精矿,铜精矿中金、银的品位分别为5.51 g/t和295.00 g/t,回收率分别为58.07%和60.51%。     

Froth recovery measurements in an industrial flotation cell

The froth phase serves an important role in upgrading the final concentrate in flotation. At present, the techniques that are used in the mineral industry to determine the effect of froth phase on the metallurgical performance of plant scale flotation cells have limitations.The aim of this paper is to investigate the performance of the froth in an industrial flotation cell. A unique device has been developed which is able to decouple the froth zone from the pulp zone. The device consists of two concentric tubes. The inner tube acts as a dropback collection chamber or catcher. The particles that return from the froth phase fall directly into the catcher and are collected as froth dropback. This technique is capable of measuring plant scale flotation cell froth recovery as well as providing valuable information on froth dropback particles.The froth recovery measurements were carried out in a rougher bank of a copper concentrator treating sulphide minerals. The dropback device is designed so that it can be immersed into an industrial size flotation cell and plant froth recovery measurements can be taken at any given location. During the experiments, the bubbles laden with valuable mineral particles entered the device from the flotation cell, subsequently rising to form a froth layer at the top of the device. The particles that detached or drained from the froth zone were collected in the dropback collection chamber whereas the concentrate sample was collected through a launder. By sizing and chemical analysis of the concentrate and dropback samples, the froth recovery was estimated on the basis of the valuable component. The effect of air rate on the froth recovery was also investigated. Metallurgical grades of the froth dropback device samples for different particle size ranges were compared to those of the concentrator to better understand the froth dropback mechanism.     

Flotation frother mixtures: Decoupling the sub-processes of froth stability,froth recovery and entrainment

The flotation process consists of two distinct phases: the pulp and froth phase. One of the main roles of the froth phase is to create a suitable environment for the separation of floatable, valuable minerals from non-selectively recovered, entrained gangue minerals. As a result the froth phase plays a significant role in the metallurgical performance of industrial flotation cells. Froth stability is important for the recovery of valuable minerals. However, a stable froth may contribute to increased entrainment and, consequently, a lower grade.This study compares the effect of frother mixtures with that of their single component frothers on the froth stability, froth recovery and entrainment of a platinum-bearing UG2 ore using polyglycol and alcohol frothers. The study showed that frother mixtures resulted in a greater froth stability than either of their component frothers. The increased froth stability was reflected in increased froth recoveries and greater overall recoveries. However, the important aspect in the use of frother blends was that they altered the froth structure and resulted in a lower degree of entrainment. This, together with the increased recovery, resulted in higher grades of valuable mineral recovered to the concentrate when using the frother mixtures.     

西藏某氧化铜矿石选矿试验研究

对西藏某氧化铜矿石进行了可选性试验研究。试验根据矿石的工艺矿物学特性,以传统的硫化浮选工艺为基础,采用“硫氧分步粗选-粗精矿混合精选”的工艺流程并辅之以新型高效浮选药剂,有效地选别和综合回收了矿石中的有价元素铜和伴生金、银。闭路试验指标为,铜精矿品位31.66%、回收率83.25%,铜精矿含金1.50g/t、银106g/t,金、银回收率分别为78.62%、64.35%。     

内蒙古某低品位铜铅锌矿石中金银回收工艺研究

在对内蒙古某低品位铜铅锌矿石工艺矿物学研究的基础上,结合矿石中主要有价组分--金银的计价结算体系,确立了将金银富集到铜铅精矿中的流程思路,进行了铜铅混合浮选、后选锌、再铜铅分离流程的工艺技术条件研究,采用试验确定的磨矿、1粗2扫1精铜铅混浮、磨矿、2次混合精选、1粗1扫1精铜铅分离、1粗2扫4精浮锌、中矿顺序返回闭路流程,可以获得金回收率达85.92%、银回收率达50.99%的铜精矿和金回收率达5.50%、银回收率达17.49%的铅精矿,金总回收率高达91.42%、银总回收率高达68.48%。     

Froth flotation of a Merensky Reef platinum bearing ore using mixtures of SIBX with a dithiophosphate and a dithiocarbamate

The Bushveld Igneous Complex (BIC) in northern South Africa has the largest deposit of platinum group elements (PGEs) in the world. In trace amounts, these are closely associated with base metal sulphides (BMS). Froth flotation is used as a bulk sulphide recovery to beneficiate these PGE ores. To maximise the recovery of the PGEs it is required to improve the recovery of the BMS. The chemical additives used largely determines the performance of the froth flotation process. Consequently, mixtures of collectors were used in batch froth flotation tests in an attempt to improve concentrate grades and recoveries of BMS from a Merensky Reef platinum ore. The mixtures consisted of a xanthate (SIBX) with a dithiophosphate (DTP) or a dithiocarbamate (DTC). Each mixture was tested at mole ratios of 80:20 and 60:40, with the xanthate the major component. An increase in nickel recovery was observed with all mixtures relative to pure SIBX at the expense of concentrate grade. The mixtures of DTC with SIBX increased the cumulative nickel recovery by 11%, while the mixtures with DTP increased it by 10%. Copper recovery increased by 6% with the DTP mixtures. No significant improvements in the copper recoveries and grades were observed with the mixtures of SIBX with DTC compared to pure SIBX.     

某复杂铜铅锌多金属硫化矿选矿试验研究

某复杂铜铅锌多金属硫化矿,以黄铜矿、方铅矿和铁闪锌矿为主要的铜矿物、铅矿物和锌矿物。为有效回收其中的铜、铅、锌金属及伴生的金、银,开展了矿石工艺矿物学研究和选矿试验研究。结果表明,采用“铜铅混浮再分离-锌浮选”的工艺流程,可获得铜品位为19.05%、铜回收率为74.99%的铜精矿;铅品位为69.03%、铅回收率为75.03%的铅精矿;锌品位为47.87%、锌回收率为72.94%的锌精矿。以及金、银总回收率分别为75.45%和76.86%的工艺指标。     

某铜铅锌多金属硫化矿选矿试验研究

对某富含金银等贵金属的复杂铜铅锌多金属硫化矿进行了选矿试验研究。以BK916作铜捕收剂、BK906作铅捕收剂,采用铜优先浮选-铅浮选-锌硫混合浮选-锌硫分离工艺回收主要有价元素,获得了铜精矿铜品位24.26%、回收率58.21%,铅精矿铅品位70.75%、铅回收率86.55%,锌精矿锌品位51.53%、锌回收率89.44%,硫精矿硫品位39.84%、回收率38.03%的良好选矿指标;铜、铅、锌、硫4种精矿产品中金总回收率92.16%、银总回收率89.44%。     

含多种伴生成分铜矿石选矿工艺流程研究

对伴生有金且含有铁、硫和稀土的铜矿石选矿工艺流程进行了研究。采用部分优先 -混合浮选方案回收铜硫、浮选 -磁选方案回收铁、重选方案回收稀土工艺 ,获得铜品位和铜回收率分别为 2 6.0 7%和 94.0 7%的铜精矿 ,铜精矿中含金 6.5 6g/t、金回收率为 65 .5 4%。同时还获得铁品位高于 68%、含硫小于 0 .2 0 %的铁精矿 ,硫品位大于 3 5 .2 1%的硫精矿 ,以及TR2 O3含量为 10 .2 2 2 % (纯度为 68% )的稀土产品。所完成试验为开发利用该矿产资源提供了依据。     

Case studies on the performance and characterisation of the froth phase in industrial flotation circuits

This paper deals with two separate case studies investigating the froth phase performance and characterisation of two industrial rougher/scavenger flotation circuits. Froth phase performance was quantified using a mass balance approach to estimate froth zone recovery. Measured characteristics of the froth phase included frother solution concentration determined by gas chromatography, and the time taken for an equilibrium froth sample to decay to one-half of its original froth height. The latter measurement is referred to as the ‘froth half-life’ and is strongly linked to froth stability. Special methods and techniques developed to preserve frother in solution and to measure froth half-life are briefly described. The frother type in the first case study was a mixture of straight and branched alcohols, whilst the frother type in the second case study was a mixture of alcohols, aldehydes and triethoxybutane. The first case study focussed on a flotation circuit treating a low grade ore containing only a small fraction of floatable copper sulphide minerals, while the second case study focussed on a flotation circuit treating a higher grade complex sulphide ore containing significant quantities of chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite and pyrite.It was found that froth zone recovery of valuable mineral generally decreased down-the-bank of the two industrial rougher/scavenger circuits. Moreover, decreases in froth zone recovery significantly limit the overall cell recovery of valuable mineral achievable from the plant scavenger cells. However, the decrease in froth zone recovery could not be linked to the removal of frother from the pulp solution to the concentrate product in the preceding rougher flotation stages. Measurements of residual frother in solution suggested that, approximately, only 5–10% of the added frother was removed into the rougher/scavenger concentrate, with the remainder appearing in the scavenger tailings. This finding suggested there was apparently adequate frother in solution in the scavenger stages.There was, however, a correlation to the froth half-life, with the froth half-life also generally decreasing down-the-bank. A simple, empirical model, based on the froth half-life and froth residence time of gas, is proposed here to predict froth zone recovery. Further, it is proposed that the froth stability, as measured by the froth half-life, is strongly linked to the presence of particles in the froth, with poorly mineralised scavenger froth characterised by a short half-life and, potentially, a low froth zone recovery. The importance of particles on froth stability was confirmed in separately conducted laboratory experiments. These experiments also demonstrated the wide variation in froth stability behaviour between different frother types.     

某硫化铜钼矿石的浮选试验研究

针对西藏某铜钼矿石进行了浮选工艺试验研究。采用铜钼混合浮选-铜钼混合精矿再磨后铜钼分离的选别工艺流程及适宜的药剂制度,小型闭路试验获得了钼精矿品位45.34%、钼回收率74.82%,铜精矿品位31.75%、铜回收率96.39%,其中铜精矿含金18.05 g/t、含银347.70 g/t、金回收率49.41%、银回收率68.91%。     

无碱等可浮工艺分选秘鲁某金铜铁多金属矿石

对秘鲁某含Cu 0.12%、Au 0.12 g/t、S 2.60%、Fe 45.52%的金铜铁多金属矿石进行了选矿工艺优化试验研究。该矿石原设计选矿工艺流程为铜硫混选—铜硫分离—混选尾矿磁选回收铁,存在铜硫分离难度大、石灰用量高和分选指标不理想等问题。针对原流程存在的问题,提出采用铜硫等可浮—铜硫分离—难选硫强化浮选—浮选尾矿磁选回收铁的优化工艺流程。铜硫等可浮分选时,在无碱条件下采用选择性的铜捕收剂BK306将铜和部分易浮黄铁矿等硫化矿物浮出,并进行铜硫分离回收铜、金;然后采用活化剂和强力捕收剂强化浮选脱除矿石中的难浮硫化物;最后通过磁选从浮选尾矿中回收铁。该优化工艺既可实现矿石中铜、金等有价金属的高效回收和硫的脱除,又能显著降低铜硫分离所需的石灰用量,并保证后续磁选作业直接获得含硫低、铁品质较好的铁精矿。闭路试验获得铜品位20.10%、金品位15.29 g/t、铜回收率68.42%、金回收率49.07%的铜精矿,硫品位30.78%、总硫回收率84.05%的硫精矿以及铁品位68.88%、含硫0.18%、铁回收率90.57%的铁精矿。与原工艺相比,优化工艺的铜精矿铜品位和铜回收率分别提...     

Improving copper flotation recovery from a refractory copper porphyry ore by using ethoxycarbonyl thiourea as a collector

In this paper, N-propyl-N-ethoxycarbonyl thiourea (PECTU) collector was investigated to concentrate copper minerals from a refractory copper porphyry ore through bench-scale and industrial flotation tests. The flotation results indicated that PECTU had strongly collecting power for copper sulfide minerals and excellent selectivity against iron sulfide minerals under moderately alkaline conditions. Compared with sodium butyl xanthate (SBX), PECTU increased the grades and recoveries of Cu, Au and Mo in the copper concentrates, and performed the flotation separation of Cu/Fe sulfide minerals at cleaner pH ∼10.5 as well as decreased 2/3 lime consumption. The results of UV-visible measurements further demonstrated that PECTU could be used as a high selective collector for copper minerals. The experimentally obtained results have been explained from the structure-reactivity relationship of collector by density functional calculation.     

澳大利亚Caim Hill磁铁矿选矿试验研究

针对澳大利亚Cairn Hill含铜、金的磁铁矿矿石,进行了先磁后浮及先浮后磁两大原则流程方案的选矿试验,并在先浮后磁的浮选方案中又进行了铜优先浮选流程和铜硫混合浮选两种流程方案试验。最终确定优先浮选铜、后浮选硫、尾矿弱磁选铁的先浮后磁联合工艺。小型闭路试验获得了铜品位21.15%、铜回收率88.94%、含金4.10g/t、金回收率49.50%的铜精矿和铁品位70.68%、铁回收率92.14%的铁精矿,以及硫品位40.58%、硫回收率57.80%的硫精矿。     

Operating strategies to maximise gold recovery at Telfer

On average, the difference in recovery between copper and gold is 15% among the large scale copper/gold operations. At Telfer, a number of operating strategies have been implemented together with a sequential flotation circuit design to maximise gold recovery. The main operating strategies include targeting a primary grind size optimum for copper recovery, designing and operating the main flotation circuit as copper and pyrite sequential flotation, targeting a minimum saleable concentrate copper grade, allowing a portion of pyrite/gold recovered into the copper concentrate and leaching the pyrite concentrate to extract the gold. These operating strategies have lifted the recovery of both copper and gold above 90%. There are opportunities to further improve the metallurgical performance at Telfer, including a single stage of cleaning of the copper rougher concentrate, regrinding of the copper scavenger concentrate prior to cleaning and regrinding of the pyrite rougher concentrate followed by additional copper/gold flotation prior to pyrite leaching.     

内蒙古铜金矿综合回收技术研究

内蒙古铜金矿中含有铜、铅、锌、硫等有价元素,为了充分利用矿产资源,对该矿石进行了综合回收试验研究.采用尼尔森选矿机回收粗粒金-浮选分离-精矿再磨-浸金工艺流程,浮选分离以CFS+石灰为硫铁矿的高效抑制剂,经阶段磨矿后选别可获得铜品位21.87%、回收率90.27%的铜精矿;硫品位44.33%、回收率85.76%的硫精矿;金综合回收率达到91.11%.选别指标较为理想,该技术路线经济合理,适用于工业化生产.     

广东某铜、铅、锌多金属矿选矿试验研究

针对广东某铜、铅、锌多金属矿,采用铜铅混浮、混合粗精矿铜铅分离、尾矿选锌的工艺流程,可获得βCu20.86%、εCu88.11%、βPb63.05%、εPb86.29%、βZn50.29%、εZn85.38%的选矿技术指标,为该矿的开发利用提供了合理的工艺参数和工艺流程。