2476
Assesment of a Novel Strong Frother to Improve Metallurgical
Performance Without Over Frothing
N. Miranda
Process Management, Caserones, Lundin Mining, Atacama, Chile
Department of Metallurgical Engineering, University of Santiago, Santiago, Chile
F. Alcorta
Process Management, Caserones, Lundin Mining, Atacama, Chile
R. Rubio, T. Bhambhani
Technology Solutions, Solvay, Chile, and USA
M. Maldonado
Department of Metallurgical Engineering, University of Santiago, Santiago, Chile
ABSTRACT: One of the biggest milestones that Caserones concentrator achieved last year was the increase of
the SAG mill throughput over 4500 tons per hour. Nevertheless, this change has a direct impact on the particle
size, decreasing the recovery of copper in the rougher stage.
The present study investigates the application of a novel frother developed by Solvay called T-100 which is
strong in the roughers (behaves like a glycol) has the ability of transform into a weak frother (behaves like an
alcohol) over pH 10.5. This change allows us to operate without the typical issues of over frothing seen with
strong frothers.
To validate this reagent a plant trial was performed in the 300 m3 self-aerated cells at a rougher stage by co-
dosing MIBC and T-100 in a proportion of 1:1 in the rougher where the pH is 9. This assessment hadn’t shown
over frothing at cleaner stage where the pH is 11. Moreover, an increase on mass pull in the rougher circuits
immediately occurs as well as a better copper recovery was seen with the online grade control.
The result with this new reagent scheme also revealed a better metallurgical performance, increasing the global
recovery of copper in almost one percent. Decreasing the losses of copper particularly on the coarse particles due
to higher particle size that come from the grinding stage.
Furthermore, the current study with this new reagent demonstrates a great potential for any flotation plant
increasing throughputs, coarsening the grind size, and experiencing losses in the coarser (but floatable) size
range.
Keywords: Froth flotation, frother, process control.
Assesment of a Novel Strong Frother to Improve Metallurgical
Performance Without Over Frothing
N. Miranda
Process Management, Caserones, Lundin Mining, Atacama, Chile
Department of Metallurgical Engineering, University of Santiago, Santiago, Chile
F. Alcorta
Process Management, Caserones, Lundin Mining, Atacama, Chile
R. Rubio, T. Bhambhani
Technology Solutions, Solvay, Chile, and USA
M. Maldonado
Department of Metallurgical Engineering, University of Santiago, Santiago, Chile
ABSTRACT: One of the biggest milestones that Caserones concentrator achieved last year was the increase of
the SAG mill throughput over 4500 tons per hour. Nevertheless, this change has a direct impact on the particle
size, decreasing the recovery of copper in the rougher stage.
The present study investigates the application of a novel frother developed by Solvay called T-100 which is
strong in the roughers (behaves like a glycol) has the ability of transform into a weak frother (behaves like an
alcohol) over pH 10.5. This change allows us to operate without the typical issues of over frothing seen with
strong frothers.
To validate this reagent a plant trial was performed in the 300 m3 self-aerated cells at a rougher stage by co-
dosing MIBC and T-100 in a proportion of 1:1 in the rougher where the pH is 9. This assessment hadn’t shown
over frothing at cleaner stage where the pH is 11. Moreover, an increase on mass pull in the rougher circuits
immediately occurs as well as a better copper recovery was seen with the online grade control.
The result with this new reagent scheme also revealed a better metallurgical performance, increasing the global
recovery of copper in almost one percent. Decreasing the losses of copper particularly on the coarse particles due
to higher particle size that come from the grinding stage.
Furthermore, the current study with this new reagent demonstrates a great potential for any flotation plant
increasing throughputs, coarsening the grind size, and experiencing losses in the coarser (but floatable) size
range.
Keywords: Froth flotation, frother, process control.