2360 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
indicator that the switch from strong to weak had occurred
was the froth depth, which had to be reduced from 20 mm
to 18 mm to achieve meaningful mass pull (weaker frothers
will show reduced froth depth).
The approach for the T-100 evaluation was different.
Here the focus was to achieve a similar cleaner circuit per-
formance, and study the compromises that are likely to be
observed in the rougher circuit. The results are shown in
Table 2.
The data shows that a similar cleaner circuit perfor-
mance for the T-100 and the medium strength frother
blend was achieved, with equivalent mass recoveries, Cu
recoveries and concentrate grades. In order to achieve this
performance in cleaners, though, the rougher circuit had to
be operated under constraints i.e., the rougher mass recov-
ery that was possible with the T-100 (10%), was not pos-
sible with the medium strength blend (8.1%) under these
conditions. In any operation, a reduction of mass recovery
Figure 1. Flowsheet for pilot plant run at SGS Lakefield, ON
Table 1. Results from T-200 run compared to the run with strong frother
Rougher Mass Rec. (%)Cu Assay (%)Cu Rec. (%)
Strong frother 10.8 2.5 94.9
Transfoamer™ T-200 12.2 2.2 92.9
Cleaner cell 1 Concentrate Mass Rec. (%)Cu Assay (%)Cu Rec. (%)Froth Depth (mm)
Strong frother 2.7 9.3 88.8 20
Transfoamer™ T-200 1.2 19.3 82.9 18
Cleaner Conc. (Cumulative—Final) Mass Rec. (%)Cu Assay (%)Cu Rec. (%)
Strong frother 4.6 5.8 94.2
Transfoamer™ T-200 2 12.7 91
indicator that the switch from strong to weak had occurred
was the froth depth, which had to be reduced from 20 mm
to 18 mm to achieve meaningful mass pull (weaker frothers
will show reduced froth depth).
The approach for the T-100 evaluation was different.
Here the focus was to achieve a similar cleaner circuit per-
formance, and study the compromises that are likely to be
observed in the rougher circuit. The results are shown in
Table 2.
The data shows that a similar cleaner circuit perfor-
mance for the T-100 and the medium strength frother
blend was achieved, with equivalent mass recoveries, Cu
recoveries and concentrate grades. In order to achieve this
performance in cleaners, though, the rougher circuit had to
be operated under constraints i.e., the rougher mass recov-
ery that was possible with the T-100 (10%), was not pos-
sible with the medium strength blend (8.1%) under these
conditions. In any operation, a reduction of mass recovery
Figure 1. Flowsheet for pilot plant run at SGS Lakefield, ON
Table 1. Results from T-200 run compared to the run with strong frother
Rougher Mass Rec. (%)Cu Assay (%)Cu Rec. (%)
Strong frother 10.8 2.5 94.9
Transfoamer™ T-200 12.2 2.2 92.9
Cleaner cell 1 Concentrate Mass Rec. (%)Cu Assay (%)Cu Rec. (%)Froth Depth (mm)
Strong frother 2.7 9.3 88.8 20
Transfoamer™ T-200 1.2 19.3 82.9 18
Cleaner Conc. (Cumulative—Final) Mass Rec. (%)Cu Assay (%)Cu Rec. (%)
Strong frother 4.6 5.8 94.2
Transfoamer™ T-200 2 12.7 91