XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 2831
Figure 2. The plot indicates that the NovaCell ™ achieved
higher recoveries across all size fractions, however the big-
gest increase was observed in the +300 µm size fractions.
Thus, the results suggest that the NovaCell ™ with its novel
design, recovered the coarse copper particles more effi-
ciently than the conventional flotation technology.
The copper assay-by-size results for both tests are pre-
sented in Figure 3. The plot indicates that the NovaCell ™
copper grades were higher across most of the size fractions.
Only in the –600+425 µm size fraction did the Agitair cell
indicate a higher copper grade. However, this was likely due
to the NovaCell ™ recovering significantly more compos-
ite copper particles. Note, the NovaCell ™ recovery in the
600+425 µm size fraction was four times higher than that
achieved in the Agitair cell.
In summary, the laboratory results suggest that the
project objective could be achieved. At the coarser flotation
feed grind size (P80) of 350 µm, the NovaCell ™ achieved a
copper recovery of 88%. When compared to conventional
flotation technology, the NovaCell ™ copper and molyb-
denum recoveries were 10% and 17% higher, respectively.
The NovaCell ™ was better at recovering copper across all
size fractions, but this was most evident in the +300 µm size
fractions. In addition, the NovaCell ™ was better at selec-
tively recovering copper minerals across most size fractions.
Case Study 1—Potential NovaCell™ Impact in Coarse
Rougher Duty
The NovaCell ™ was evaluated in a coarse rougher duty,
using the kinetic rate results from the laboratory testwork.
The potential benefits would be:
• Increase in copper production. The test results sug-
gest that the NovaCell ™ can improve copper recov-
eries at coarser flotation feed grind sizes. Thus, the
mine could operate the circuit consistently at higher
feed throughput rates.
• Reduction in waste to the TSF. At the bottom of the
NovaCell ™ a coarse waste stream is produced. This
stream would be suitable for mechanical dewatering
technologies, followed by dry tailings disposal. The
increase in the P80 of the feed will flow through to a
similar change in the flotation tails, leading to faster
dewatering times and better handleability. Thus, the
amount of waste being sent to the TSF could be
Table 3. Case study 1 NovaCell™ and Agitair cell results
NovaCell™ Agitair Cell
Product
Recovery, %
Product
Upgrade Ratio
Product
Recovery, %
Product
Upgrade Ratio
Mass 5% 5%
Copper 88% 16.5 78% 16.3
Molybdenum 76% 14.3 59% 12.4
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
Particle Size (μm)
NovaCell Agitair Cell
Figure 2. Case study 1, copper recovery-by-size results for the NovaCell™ and Agitair cell
Copper
Recovery
(%)
Figure 2. The plot indicates that the NovaCell ™ achieved
higher recoveries across all size fractions, however the big-
gest increase was observed in the +300 µm size fractions.
Thus, the results suggest that the NovaCell ™ with its novel
design, recovered the coarse copper particles more effi-
ciently than the conventional flotation technology.
The copper assay-by-size results for both tests are pre-
sented in Figure 3. The plot indicates that the NovaCell ™
copper grades were higher across most of the size fractions.
Only in the –600+425 µm size fraction did the Agitair cell
indicate a higher copper grade. However, this was likely due
to the NovaCell ™ recovering significantly more compos-
ite copper particles. Note, the NovaCell ™ recovery in the
600+425 µm size fraction was four times higher than that
achieved in the Agitair cell.
In summary, the laboratory results suggest that the
project objective could be achieved. At the coarser flotation
feed grind size (P80) of 350 µm, the NovaCell ™ achieved a
copper recovery of 88%. When compared to conventional
flotation technology, the NovaCell ™ copper and molyb-
denum recoveries were 10% and 17% higher, respectively.
The NovaCell ™ was better at recovering copper across all
size fractions, but this was most evident in the +300 µm size
fractions. In addition, the NovaCell ™ was better at selec-
tively recovering copper minerals across most size fractions.
Case Study 1—Potential NovaCell™ Impact in Coarse
Rougher Duty
The NovaCell ™ was evaluated in a coarse rougher duty,
using the kinetic rate results from the laboratory testwork.
The potential benefits would be:
• Increase in copper production. The test results sug-
gest that the NovaCell ™ can improve copper recov-
eries at coarser flotation feed grind sizes. Thus, the
mine could operate the circuit consistently at higher
feed throughput rates.
• Reduction in waste to the TSF. At the bottom of the
NovaCell ™ a coarse waste stream is produced. This
stream would be suitable for mechanical dewatering
technologies, followed by dry tailings disposal. The
increase in the P80 of the feed will flow through to a
similar change in the flotation tails, leading to faster
dewatering times and better handleability. Thus, the
amount of waste being sent to the TSF could be
Table 3. Case study 1 NovaCell™ and Agitair cell results
NovaCell™ Agitair Cell
Product
Recovery, %
Product
Upgrade Ratio
Product
Recovery, %
Product
Upgrade Ratio
Mass 5% 5%
Copper 88% 16.5 78% 16.3
Molybdenum 76% 14.3 59% 12.4
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
Particle Size (μm)
NovaCell Agitair Cell
Figure 2. Case study 1, copper recovery-by-size results for the NovaCell™ and Agitair cell
Copper
Recovery
(%)