XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 2235
standard recovery was superior, which implies the need of
further testing.
In Figure 3 it is shown that, despite of good P recov-
ery from 8912, the Fe losses are considerably higher than
presented in the other tests, which is undesirable. In prac-
tical terms, excess in Fe loss can result in Fe reporting to
the thickeners. Even though the thickeners underflow has
a subsequent magnetic separation stage, increase in the Fe
loss, and thus mass flow to the separator can exceed the
equipment capacity. This will potentially jeopardize the
efficiency of this step. All the other collectors tested had Fe
similar to the values reached by standard. Therefore, con-
sidering results presented in Figure 3, 8912 should not be
considered for following tests.
From Figure 4, except for one of the tests with stan-
dard, collectors 1708, 1709, 1673, 0214 and 8915 have
shown performances that are similar to those observed with
standard at the same concentration. Hence, these alterna-
tives should be considered in further pilot scale testing.
An important remark is that the collectors 1708, 1709
and 1673 did not require saponification, meaning they
are water soluble which removes the need for NaOH. In
addition, the tests that achieved results that were compa-
rable to those from standard, did not require the addition
of MIBC. Therefore, it could be interesting from both
the process and from sustainability and safety perspective
(chemical handling) to continue investigating these collec-
tors. The necessity of repeating tests to establish reproduc-
ibility and validate their outcomes before progressing to
the pilot phase is implied. It is crucial to emphasize the
importance of conducting balling tests on the concentrate
obtained with the specified collectors to assess their impact
on downstream processes.
DISCUSSION
New collectors from several suppliers designed for the
application of apatite froth flotation have been evaluated in
inhouse laboratory scale test work using Kiirunavaara flota-
tion feed after depressant conditioning. Main purpose of
the test work was to validate test results reported by these
companies on preliminary test campaign, when from 25
collectors tested, 14 potential candidates were selected for
the LKAB inhouse trials (Tavares, 2022).
From those, five collectors have shown satisfactory
results. performing similarly to standard. The target was to
reach P in the concentrate (0.030%), without affecting
recovery of Fe (0.50% Fe loss). For collector 0755, even
Figure 4. Grade recovery curves: best results of all collectors tested. and comparison with Standard
standard recovery was superior, which implies the need of
further testing.
In Figure 3 it is shown that, despite of good P recov-
ery from 8912, the Fe losses are considerably higher than
presented in the other tests, which is undesirable. In prac-
tical terms, excess in Fe loss can result in Fe reporting to
the thickeners. Even though the thickeners underflow has
a subsequent magnetic separation stage, increase in the Fe
loss, and thus mass flow to the separator can exceed the
equipment capacity. This will potentially jeopardize the
efficiency of this step. All the other collectors tested had Fe
similar to the values reached by standard. Therefore, con-
sidering results presented in Figure 3, 8912 should not be
considered for following tests.
From Figure 4, except for one of the tests with stan-
dard, collectors 1708, 1709, 1673, 0214 and 8915 have
shown performances that are similar to those observed with
standard at the same concentration. Hence, these alterna-
tives should be considered in further pilot scale testing.
An important remark is that the collectors 1708, 1709
and 1673 did not require saponification, meaning they
are water soluble which removes the need for NaOH. In
addition, the tests that achieved results that were compa-
rable to those from standard, did not require the addition
of MIBC. Therefore, it could be interesting from both
the process and from sustainability and safety perspective
(chemical handling) to continue investigating these collec-
tors. The necessity of repeating tests to establish reproduc-
ibility and validate their outcomes before progressing to
the pilot phase is implied. It is crucial to emphasize the
importance of conducting balling tests on the concentrate
obtained with the specified collectors to assess their impact
on downstream processes.
DISCUSSION
New collectors from several suppliers designed for the
application of apatite froth flotation have been evaluated in
inhouse laboratory scale test work using Kiirunavaara flota-
tion feed after depressant conditioning. Main purpose of
the test work was to validate test results reported by these
companies on preliminary test campaign, when from 25
collectors tested, 14 potential candidates were selected for
the LKAB inhouse trials (Tavares, 2022).
From those, five collectors have shown satisfactory
results. performing similarly to standard. The target was to
reach P in the concentrate (0.030%), without affecting
recovery of Fe (0.50% Fe loss). For collector 0755, even
Figure 4. Grade recovery curves: best results of all collectors tested. and comparison with Standard