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Title: High intensity conditioning to improve flotation of gold fine particles

Book ·
OSTI ID:248196
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Univ. de Atacama, Copiapo (Chile). Dept. de Metalurgia
  2. Univ. Federal do Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre (Brazil). Lab. de Tecnologia Mineral

This work describes the effect of the degree of energy transferred to the pulp, during the conditioning stage, on gold flotation fines recovery, grade and kinetics, with three types of frother (Dowfroth 250, pine oil and MIBC) and amyl xanthate as collector. Best results show an increase in 24% recovery and 50% in concentrate grade, depending on the intensity of conditioning and type of frother (better with Dowfroth 250). For low or intermediate energies (0.5--1.5 kWh/m3 pulp), the fine particles adhere to larger ones, increasing the recovery due to a mixture of carrier (pyrite, in this case) and autogeneous carrier flotation and at higher shear (2--3 kWh/m3 pulp), gold fine particles aggregate themselves. These phenomena are demonstrated by measurements of flotation rate, true flotation (flotation by actual particle-bubble adhesion), and by the amount of entrained particles. Alternatives for this type of pulp conditioning and mechanisms involved are discussed.

OSTI ID:
248196
Report Number(s):
CONF-9510120-; ISBN 0-87335-142-8; TRN: IM9628%%296
Resource Relation:
Conference: 19. international mineral processing congress, San Francisco, CA (United States), 22-27 Oct 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the 19. international mineral processing congress: Precious metals processing and mineral waste and the environment. Volume 4; PB: 210 p.
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English