Extraction of a low grade zinc ore using gravity and froth flotation methods

Water scarcity necessitates the recycling of process water within mineral processing practices. This may however come with its disadvantages for unit operations such as froth flotation as this process is water intensive and sensitive to water chemistry. It is therefore important to monitor the water chemistry of the recycle stream of process water and any other water source to flotation. Monitoring the concentrations of the anions in recycled process water is therefore important to consider as these are speculated to impact flotation performance. Batch flotation tests were conducted using synthetically prepared plant water (3 SPW) with a TDS of 3069 mg/L as the baseline experiment. 3 SPW contained 528 mg/LNO3− and 720 mg/L SO42−, other anions and cations, and no S2O32−. Upon spiking 3 SPW with selected anions, viz, NO3−, SO42− and S2O32−, it was noted that NO3− and SO42− exhibited threshold concentrations while S2O32− did not show a threshold concentration for both copper and nickel grade. Spiking 3 SPW with 352 mg/L more of NO3− to a total 880 mg/L NO3− concentration resulted in the highest copper and nickel grade compared to 3 SPW while increasing the S2O32− from 60 to 78 mg/L increased nickel and copper grade. 720 to 1200 mg/L SO42− and 528 to 880 mg/L NO3− were deemed the concentration boundaries within which lies the threshold concentration above which flotation performance declines with respect to metal grades, while for S2O32− the threshold concentration lies outside the range considered for this study. Anion distribution between the pulp and the froth did not seem to impact the recovery of copper or nickel. Notably, the correlation between the concentrate grades and anion distribution between the froth and the pulp seemed to be ion dependent.

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Impact of Sodium Hexametaphosphate on the Flotation of Ultrafine Magnesite from Dolomite-Rich Desliming Tailings

Minerals ◽

10.3390/min11050499 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 499

Author(s):

Duong Huu Hoang ◽

Doreen Ebert ◽

Robert Möckel ◽

Martin Rudolph

Keyword(s):

Ultrafine Particles ◽

Raw Materials ◽

Low Cost ◽

Froth Flotation ◽

Open Circuit ◽

Ore Deposits ◽

Sodium Hexametaphosphate ◽

Low Grade ◽

Low Contrast ◽

The Impact

The depletion of ore deposits, the increasing demand for raw materials, the need to process low-grade, complex and finely disseminated ores, and the reprocessing of tailings are challenges especially for froth flotation separation technologies. Even though they are capable of handling relatively fine grain sizes, the flotation separation of very fine and ultrafine particles faces many problems still. Further, the flotation of low-contrast semi-soluble salt-type minerals with very similar surface properties, many complex interactions between minerals, reagents and dissolved species often result in poor selectivity. This study investigates the flotation beneficiation of ultrafine magnesite rich in dolomite from desliming, currently reported to the tailings. The paper especially focuses on the impact of the depressant sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) on the following: (i) the froth properties using dynamic froth analysis (DFA), (ii) the separation between magnesite and dolomite/calcite, and (iii) its effect on the entrainment. As a depressant/dispersant, SHMP has a beneficial impact on the flotation separation between magnesite and dolomite. However, there is a trade-off between grade and recovery, and as well as the dewatering process which needs to be considered. When the SHMP increases from 200 g/t to 700 g/t, the magnesite grade increases from 67% to 77%, while recovery decreases massively, from 80% to 40%. The open circuit with four cleaning stages obtained a concentrate assaying 77.5% magnesite at a recovery of 45.5%. The dolomite content in the concentrate is about 20%, where 80% of dolomite was removed and importantly 98% of the quartz was removed, with only 0.3% of the quartz in the final concentrate. Furthermore, the application of 1-hydroxyethylene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP) as a more environmentally friendly and low-cost alternative to SHMP is presented and discussed. Using only 350 g/t of HEDP can achieve a similar grade (76.3%), like 700 g/t of SHMP (76.9%), while obtaining a 17% higher magnesite recovery as compared to 700 g/t of SHMP. Interestingly, the proportion of hydrophilic quartz minerals ending up in the concentrate is lower for HEDP, with only 1.9% quartz at a recovery of 21.5% compared to the 2.7% of quartz at a recovery of 24.9% when using SHMP. The paper contributes in general to understanding the complexity of the depressant responses in froth flotation.

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Recovery of Catapleiite and Eudialyte from Non-Magnetic Fraction of Eudialyte ore Processing of Norra Kärr Deposit

Minerals ◽

10.3390/min12010019 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 19

Author(s):

Ivan Silin ◽

Devrim Gürsel ◽

Christian Büchter ◽

Lars Weitkämper ◽

Hermann Wotruba

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Separation ◽

Froth Flotation ◽

Magnetic Fraction ◽

Low Grade ◽

Magnetic Minerals ◽

Potential Source ◽

Ore Processing ◽

Eudialyte Concentrate ◽

Acid Esters ◽

Alkali Feldspars

Eudialyte ores from Norra Kärr (Sweden) and Kringlerne (Greenland) are considered a potential source of rare-earth elements (REE) for the development of a sustainable REE industry outside China. Magnetic separation is successfully applicated to recover eudialyte as a magnetic fraction. In the case of the Norra Kärr deposit, up to 20% of the REE and up to 40% of the Zr are lost during mineral processing in the non-magnetic fraction. Zr and REE are associated with non-magnetic minerals such as catapleiite, low- or non-magnetic eudialyte species, and both their intergrowths. Besides zirconosilicates such as catapleiite and eudialyte, the non-magnetic fraction has valuable and already-liberated minerals such as alkali feldspars and nepheline, which should not be considered as tailings. In this investigation, a possible way to recover REE bearing zirconosilicates from the non-magnetic fraction using flotation is presented. First, a low-grade eudialyte concentrate (1.8% Zr, 0.94% REE) from ground ore was obtained using magnetic separation. The non-magnetic fraction was then treated using froth flotation, and a Zr-REE bearing product (9% Zr, 1.5% REE) was obtained as froth product. For this purpose, phosphoric acid esters were used as selective collectors for zirconosilicates at a pH between 3.5 and 4.5. The reagent regime could be proposed not only to recover Zr- and REE-bearing minerals, but also simultaneously to remove Fe, Ti, and other colored impurities from the nepheline-feldspar product and to minimize the tailings volume.

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Flotation study on low-grade antimony ore of qilla abdullah, Balochistan, Pakistan

Bangladesh Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research ◽

10.3329/bjsir.v49i2.22003 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

pp. 95-102

Author(s):

MA Bhatti ◽

KR Kazmi ◽

A Mehmood ◽

R Mehmood ◽

A Ahad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Froth Flotation ◽

Agitation Speed ◽

Pulp Density ◽

Low Grade ◽

Single Factor ◽

Flotation Technique ◽

Concentrate Grade ◽

Optimum Grade

A low-gradeantimony deposit originating from district Qilla Abdullah, Balochistan Province of Pakistan, containing stibnite as an economical mineral was beneficiated by froth flotation technique. Flotation parameters such as particle size of the feed, pulp density, pH of the pulp, agitation speed, type and dose of reagents (i.e. collector, frother, activator, regulator and modifier) and the conditioning time were studied on the basis of single-factor variation experiment in order to get the optimum grade and recovery. Regrinding of the rougher concentrate followed by cleaning andrecleaning of rougher concentrateensured a final concentrate grade of 65.12% Sb@ 85.79% recovery. This concentrate is suitable for the extraction of metal and production of chemicals. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjsir.v49i2.22003 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 49(2), 95-102, 2014

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The cation effect on adsorption of surfactant in the froth flotation of low-grade diasporic bauxite

Minerals Engineering ◽

10.1016/j.mineng.2019.106051 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 144 ◽

pp. 106051 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Chaojun Fang ◽

Shichao Yu ◽

Xuyi Wei ◽

Hong Peng ◽

Leming Ou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Froth Flotation ◽

Low Grade ◽

Cation Effect

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On the Flotation of a Low Grade Chromite Ore

FES Journal of Engineering Sciences ◽

10.52981/fjes.v6i1.26 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 19

Author(s):

Tamam T. A. K ◽

Ahmed A.S.Seifelnasr

Keyword(s):

Oleic Acid ◽

Iron Oxides ◽

Froth Flotation ◽

Pulp Density ◽

Operating Parameters ◽

Low Grade ◽

High Grade ◽

Chromite Ore ◽

Chromite Concentrate ◽

Representative Samples

This study is concerned with the processing of low grade chromite ores, Ingassena Hills by froth flotation techniques. For this purpose, representative samples were taken from four different mines. Mineralogical examinations indicated that, the major minerals are chromite and serpentine .Olivine, iron oxides and talc have been identified as minor minerals. Adequate degree of liberation of chromite was obtained by grinding the ore to minus 177µm. Froth flotation was used to upgrade that particular chromite ore. Oleic acid was used as collector. Several operating parameters influencing the floatability of both high grade chromite and serpentine were investigated. These include the concentrations of the collector and depressant, pulp pH and conditioning time. From an ore feed grading 20.27% Cr2O3, a chromite concentrate of 28.71% Cr2O3 with recovery of 94.54 % could be obtained by flotation at collector dosage of 0.300 kg /t , neutral pulp (pH 9) ,conditioning time ,2min ,and pulp density, 20%.

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Zinc Recovery from Wulagen Sulfide Flotation Plant Tail by Applying Ether Amine Organic Collectors

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26175365 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (17) ◽

pp. 5365

Author(s):

Zilong Ma ◽

Lei Wang ◽

Xiao Ni ◽

Yinfei Liao ◽

Zhian Liang

Keyword(s):

Froth Flotation ◽

Hydrocarbon Chain ◽

Low Grade ◽

Zinc Recovery ◽

Flotation Tailings ◽

Sulfide Flotation ◽

Flotation Tailing ◽

Flotation Performance ◽

The Difference ◽

Amine Adsorption

Separating oxidized zinc minerals from flotation tailings is always a challenge. In this study, a flotation tailing from Wulagen zinc mine in China (Zn grade < 1%) was processed using froth flotation with combinations of amines (OPA 10, OPA 1214, OPA 13, DDA) and Na2S to study the effects of these amines on the zinc recovery as well as their interactions with other reagents, aiming to screen out a proper reagent scheme to improve zinc separation from extremely low-grade zinc flotation tailings. The results show that different amines led to different flotation performance, and the collectors were ranked as OPA 1214, OPA 13, OPA 10 and DDA in a decreasing order based on flotation collectivity and selectivity. An increase in the concentration of each collector increased the zinc recovery but reduced the concentrate zinc grade. Interactions were also observed between different amines and Na2S and Na2SiO3, and OPA 1214 outdid the others in saving the usage of both the Na2S and Na2SiO3. The measured adsorption of collector onto smithsonite was found to correlate well with flotation test results. It was concluded that hydrocarbon chains can be held accountable for the difference in the flotation performance with different amines. The longer the hydrocarbon chain, the stronger the hydrophobic association ability of amine, which is conducive to the selective amine adsorption onto sulfurized smithsonite particles and hence the smithsonite flotation.

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Surface Characteristics and Flotation Behaviour of Low-Grade Manganese Ore

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.962-965.361 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 962-965 ◽

pp. 361-369

Author(s):

Huan Liang ◽

Feng Zhou ◽

Ze Ying Wu ◽

Chun Jie Yan ◽

Wen Jun Luo

Keyword(s):

Mineral Content ◽

Froth Flotation ◽

Surface Characteristics ◽

Xrd Analysis ◽

Low Grade ◽

Manganese Mineral ◽

Mineral Flotation ◽

Mineral Sample ◽

Flotation Technique ◽

Manganese Minerals

Evaluation possibility of low grade manganese mineral from Hunan by froth flotation technique was investigated. Manganese mineral sample was characterized with mineralogical analysis, XRD, and SEM studies for its mineral content and surface characteristics. XRD analysis showed that the gangue contents of manganese minerals are constituted mainly by dolomite as a carbonate mineral, quartz and feldspar. SEM indicated that existence of rhodochrosite, which mainly fills in the dolomite minerals. The influences of important factors on manganese mineral flotation are investigated. The size of grind, pulp pH, dosages of depressant and collector are essential to the effective recovery of rhodochrosite in manganese mineral flotation.

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An Overview of Calcite Recovery by Flotation

Materials Circular Economy ◽

10.1007/s42824-020-00006-y ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Priyanka Dhar ◽

Maria Thornhill ◽

Hanumantha Rao Kota

Keyword(s):

Froth Flotation ◽

Low Grade ◽

High Grade ◽

Precipitated Calcium Carbonate ◽

Flotation Process ◽

Metal Sulphide ◽

Collecting Agents ◽

Tremendous Amount ◽

Fundamental Research ◽

Grade Material

Abstract In general, precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) is used as a mineral filler in paper industries; while natural calcite (CaCO3) ore is also suitable for industrial use if it is a finely ground high-grade material. Naturally, calcite is found in the form of high- or low-grade ores and it is one of the most widely distributed industrial minerals on the earth’s crust. However, it is rarely found in its pure form and is generally associated with other gangue minerals; the type and percentage of which vary from one deposit to another. These minerals are generally separated by flotation and/or magnetic separation (in the case of iron impurities). Calcite ores typically contain metal sulphide, silicate, or other calcium-containing impurity minerals, which can be removed by flotation. A tremendous amount of research has been performed on refining the flotation process for calcite ores and designing the reagents (specifically, collectors) to increase the efficiency of the process. Metal sulphide/silicate impurity minerals can be removed by the froth-flotation process using amines and xanthate collectors. Alternatively, fatty acids are used as collectors to float calcium-type minerals directly from the ore. This paper reviews the industrial practices and fundamental research related to collectors surrounding calcite ore flotation. This article presents and reviews collectors for the beneficiation of high-grade calcite ores which have been reported in the literature in order to assist judicial choice of collecting agents in flotation.

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Carrier Flotation: State of the Art and its Potential for the Separation of Fine and Ultrafine Mineral Particles

Materials Science Forum ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/msf.959.125 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 959 ◽

pp. 125-133 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Kerstin Eckert ◽

Edgar Schach ◽

Gunter Gerbeth ◽

Martin Rudolph

Keyword(s):

Fine Particle ◽

Ultrafine Particles ◽

State Of The Art ◽

Storage Systems ◽

Raw Materials ◽

Froth Flotation ◽

Mineral Deposits ◽

Low Grade ◽

Mineral Particles ◽

Critical Raw Materials

Critical raw materials (CRMs) are of primary importance for energy storage systems as needed for electromobility. Many mineral deposits which contain CRMs are low-grade ores. To liberate the CRMs, a grinding of the mineral ores to very fine sizes below 20 µm particle size is necessary. However, the present class of industrial flotation plants fail to extract such fine and ultrafine particles. To improve the recovery in fine particle flotation, techniques have been developed which attempt to agglomerate the fine valuable particles into larger aggregates which subsequently can be separated by established technologies such as froth flotation. Carrier flotation is one of these techniques. The present work reviews the state of the art of this technique for the recovery of fines and ultrafines.

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