2820 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
run, sufficient time was allowed for the rig to attain steady
operation before sampling and measurements commenced.
Five repeat tests were also completed at the same operat-
ing conditions, similar to the center point condition, apart
from a deeper froth depth of 100 mm. These tests were
performed one after the other over a relatively short time
interval (about 1.5 hours) to determine the variation and,
hence, the repeatability of the results before commencing
the screening tests that were conducted over 4 days.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
During the initial setup of the pilot rig in this copper scav-
enger duty, it was observed that the factors had to be sig-
nificantly adjusted to achieve stable froth performance. It
required operating at shallow froth depth, using low wash
water flow rates at high air flow rates and, therefore, low
vacuum pressure. The froth was also very unstable with no
frother addition hence, the frother dosage range selected
was between 30 and 70 ppm. These observations were used
to select the levels of each operating variable or factor (see
Table 2).
Repeat Tests and Center Point Runs
The copper (Cu) and silica (Si) recoveries of the repeat tests
performed before the screening tests are shown in Figure 3.
The Cu and Si recoveries for the center points performed
during the screening tests are shown in Figure 4.
27.72 27.06
23.08
20.67
25.08
0.40
0.30 0.27 0.21
0.29
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
2.0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Run 1 Run 2 Run 3 Run 4 Run 5
Cu
Si
Figure 3. Copper and silica recovery of the repeat tests
19.16
28.70
20.13
29.51
35.91 36.26
0.32
1.79
0.27
3.84
3.25
8.46
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
1 6 7 13 14 21
Run
Cu
Si
Figure 4. Copper and silica recovery of the center point runs
Si
Recovery
(%)
Cu
Recovery
(%)
Si
Recovery
(%)
Cu
Recovery
(%)
run, sufficient time was allowed for the rig to attain steady
operation before sampling and measurements commenced.
Five repeat tests were also completed at the same operat-
ing conditions, similar to the center point condition, apart
from a deeper froth depth of 100 mm. These tests were
performed one after the other over a relatively short time
interval (about 1.5 hours) to determine the variation and,
hence, the repeatability of the results before commencing
the screening tests that were conducted over 4 days.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
During the initial setup of the pilot rig in this copper scav-
enger duty, it was observed that the factors had to be sig-
nificantly adjusted to achieve stable froth performance. It
required operating at shallow froth depth, using low wash
water flow rates at high air flow rates and, therefore, low
vacuum pressure. The froth was also very unstable with no
frother addition hence, the frother dosage range selected
was between 30 and 70 ppm. These observations were used
to select the levels of each operating variable or factor (see
Table 2).
Repeat Tests and Center Point Runs
The copper (Cu) and silica (Si) recoveries of the repeat tests
performed before the screening tests are shown in Figure 3.
The Cu and Si recoveries for the center points performed
during the screening tests are shown in Figure 4.
27.72 27.06
23.08
20.67
25.08
0.40
0.30 0.27 0.21
0.29
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
2.0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Run 1 Run 2 Run 3 Run 4 Run 5
Cu
Si
Figure 3. Copper and silica recovery of the repeat tests
19.16
28.70
20.13
29.51
35.91 36.26
0.32
1.79
0.27
3.84
3.25
8.46
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
1 6 7 13 14 21
Run
Cu
Si
Figure 4. Copper and silica recovery of the center point runs
Si
Recovery
(%)
Cu
Recovery
(%)
Si
Recovery
(%)
Cu
Recovery
(%)