2463
Advances in Collector Application: Chemistry Versus
Mineralogical Characteristics During PGE and BMS Flotation
N.J. Shackleton, V. Malysiak
Consultant, AECI Mining Chemicals, a division of AECI Mining Ltd., Sasolburg Operations, South Africa
ABSTRACT: New generation collectors have been developed by AECI Mining Chemicals (previously Senmin)
using mineralogical characterisation data of specific ore types to further enhance the valuable minerals recovery
and flotation selectivity. This is achieved by tailoring the components of these collectors to target specific
valuable mineral species present in an ore and thus create added value for concentrators treating PGM ores. This
paper explores the link between mineralogical composition of the ore and collector chemistry and examines the
performance of these collectors and builds on previous data reported.
The focus of the paper is on PGM bearing ore case study during primary and secondary rougher flotation, col-
lector composition and ratios of those components in the collector. In order to gain an understanding of the
link between mineralogy and collector chemistry, batch flotation tests were performed and the concentrates
were mineralogically characterised for PGM and BMS using QEMSCAN and FEG MLA. The results showed
a strong correlation between PGM mineral type and AECI Mining Chemicals collector chemistry. Once again
clearly demonstrating that one reagent type does not fit all flotation applications.
Keyword: Batch flotation, QEMSCAN, FEG MLA, Collectors, PGE and BMS
INTRODUCTION
In previous work (Shackleton et al. 2023 – paper in print),
it was highlighted that SIBX +DTP ratios collector spe-
cifically targeted the PGM sulphantimonides and sulphu-
raresenides minerals as well as chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite/
pyrite minerals. While SIBX +DTC ratios collector specifi-
cally targeted the platinum sulphide and telluride minerals
as well as pentlandite. For the middling’s material, SIBX +
DTP ratios reagent regime targeted the PGE silicates while
the SIBX +DTC ratios targeted the PGE sulphides. The
data also highlighted that the 80% passing equivalent circle
diameter (ECD) values for PGM grains in the samples,
showed the Platreef Ore Feed to be 15–20 μm, Platreef
Ore Concentrate for SIBX +DTP ratios collector to be
20–25 μm and Platreef Ore Concentrate for the SIBX +
DTC ratios collector to be 15–20 μm, thereby indicating
that the different reagent regimes target different grain sizes.
The batch flotation data using the AECI Mining
Chemicals collectors in the correct ratios of SIBX +DTP
mixture +DTC mixture according to the mineralogy of that
particular ore allowed targeting of the minerals of interest
in an ore body. Although an increase in recovery was not
always achieved against the standard, the grade for Pt, Pd
and Ni was significantly increased in the first concentrate
as well as for the cumulative grade. The results showed that
there was a strong correlation between PGE mineral type
and AECI Mining Chemicals collector type.
Advances in Collector Application: Chemistry Versus
Mineralogical Characteristics During PGE and BMS Flotation
N.J. Shackleton, V. Malysiak
Consultant, AECI Mining Chemicals, a division of AECI Mining Ltd., Sasolburg Operations, South Africa
ABSTRACT: New generation collectors have been developed by AECI Mining Chemicals (previously Senmin)
using mineralogical characterisation data of specific ore types to further enhance the valuable minerals recovery
and flotation selectivity. This is achieved by tailoring the components of these collectors to target specific
valuable mineral species present in an ore and thus create added value for concentrators treating PGM ores. This
paper explores the link between mineralogical composition of the ore and collector chemistry and examines the
performance of these collectors and builds on previous data reported.
The focus of the paper is on PGM bearing ore case study during primary and secondary rougher flotation, col-
lector composition and ratios of those components in the collector. In order to gain an understanding of the
link between mineralogy and collector chemistry, batch flotation tests were performed and the concentrates
were mineralogically characterised for PGM and BMS using QEMSCAN and FEG MLA. The results showed
a strong correlation between PGM mineral type and AECI Mining Chemicals collector chemistry. Once again
clearly demonstrating that one reagent type does not fit all flotation applications.
Keyword: Batch flotation, QEMSCAN, FEG MLA, Collectors, PGE and BMS
INTRODUCTION
In previous work (Shackleton et al. 2023 – paper in print),
it was highlighted that SIBX +DTP ratios collector spe-
cifically targeted the PGM sulphantimonides and sulphu-
raresenides minerals as well as chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite/
pyrite minerals. While SIBX +DTC ratios collector specifi-
cally targeted the platinum sulphide and telluride minerals
as well as pentlandite. For the middling’s material, SIBX +
DTP ratios reagent regime targeted the PGE silicates while
the SIBX +DTC ratios targeted the PGE sulphides. The
data also highlighted that the 80% passing equivalent circle
diameter (ECD) values for PGM grains in the samples,
showed the Platreef Ore Feed to be 15–20 μm, Platreef
Ore Concentrate for SIBX +DTP ratios collector to be
20–25 μm and Platreef Ore Concentrate for the SIBX +
DTC ratios collector to be 15–20 μm, thereby indicating
that the different reagent regimes target different grain sizes.
The batch flotation data using the AECI Mining
Chemicals collectors in the correct ratios of SIBX +DTP
mixture +DTC mixture according to the mineralogy of that
particular ore allowed targeting of the minerals of interest
in an ore body. Although an increase in recovery was not
always achieved against the standard, the grade for Pt, Pd
and Ni was significantly increased in the first concentrate
as well as for the cumulative grade. The results showed that
there was a strong correlation between PGE mineral type
and AECI Mining Chemicals collector type.