2856 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
Figure 6 indicates that higher recovery for chalcoc-
ite, followed by chalcopyrite and pyrite. The recovery of
main liberated minerals increased with an increase in par-
ticle size, except for the quartz, the recovery is not strongly
dependent on the size (Figure 6). The liberated quartz is
considered a truly hydrophilic mineral that could only end
up in concentrate by entrainment, so the recovery should
be decreased with an increase in size (cf. Figure 6). The
same for liberated dolomite, the recovery increased with an
increase in particle size, the main reason for that could be
caused by to organic matter was considered as the back-
ground so they could partly recover with organic matter
into the concentrate.
It demonstrates again here that a higher recovery
is achieved with shallow froth and recirculation load of
6 m3/h.
CONCLUSIONS
The application of semi-industrial Imhoflot G-Cell on the
scavenger stream onsite showed very promising results in
selectively recovering fine (says below 20 µm) and ultrafine
(3 µm) sulfide particles.
• Only one pneumatic Imhoflot G-14 cell can achieve
a high Cu recovery (up to above 80%) at a high grade.
Note that seven existing 48 m3 mechanical cells (with
a long residence time compared to about 1.5–2 min
in G-14 cell) are needed to achieve a recovery of ca.
80–90%. The operating parameters such as froth
height and recirculation load play a crucial role.
• Cu concentrate grade of ca. 9% to 14% could be
achieved at the recovery in the range of 42% to 83%
depending on the operating parameters from the
scavenger feed containing approximately 2–2.5%
Cu. Operating parameters can be adjusted to achieve
according to grade and recovery targets.
• The pilot test was conducted using one single cell at
a very short residence time, where many particles are
expected to pass through the aerator-separator only
once. Multiple cells in series could improve the over-
all recovery.
• The operating parameters have a significant effect on
the flotation response, which can be studied at the
individual particle level with particle-based models
and automated mineralogy.
• Test work onsite demonstrated that G-Cell are suit-
able for recovering very fine (below 20 µm) and ultra-
fine particles (below 3 µm). Pneumatic cells could be
considered as a hybrid circuit for plant expansions
and retrofit to existing mechanical cells, especially to
reduce losses of fine copper to tailings. They can be
applied to improve the flotation performance in an
existing plant with a small footprint and low invest-
ment cost.
FUNDING
This paper has received financial support from the European
Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program
under grant agreement no. 821265 -FineFuture.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors would like to acknowledge our colleagues at
KGHM, Poland, Leon Knüpfer, and Hannes Emmerich at
TU Dresden for their great support during the pilot trial.
Thanks to our Particle Fate Modelling group at HZDR-
HIF for their discussion and support. Roland Würkert for
sample preparation.
Figure 5. Recovery of individual particles of main minerals as a function of size and liberation
Figure 6 indicates that higher recovery for chalcoc-
ite, followed by chalcopyrite and pyrite. The recovery of
main liberated minerals increased with an increase in par-
ticle size, except for the quartz, the recovery is not strongly
dependent on the size (Figure 6). The liberated quartz is
considered a truly hydrophilic mineral that could only end
up in concentrate by entrainment, so the recovery should
be decreased with an increase in size (cf. Figure 6). The
same for liberated dolomite, the recovery increased with an
increase in particle size, the main reason for that could be
caused by to organic matter was considered as the back-
ground so they could partly recover with organic matter
into the concentrate.
It demonstrates again here that a higher recovery
is achieved with shallow froth and recirculation load of
6 m3/h.
CONCLUSIONS
The application of semi-industrial Imhoflot G-Cell on the
scavenger stream onsite showed very promising results in
selectively recovering fine (says below 20 µm) and ultrafine
(3 µm) sulfide particles.
• Only one pneumatic Imhoflot G-14 cell can achieve
a high Cu recovery (up to above 80%) at a high grade.
Note that seven existing 48 m3 mechanical cells (with
a long residence time compared to about 1.5–2 min
in G-14 cell) are needed to achieve a recovery of ca.
80–90%. The operating parameters such as froth
height and recirculation load play a crucial role.
• Cu concentrate grade of ca. 9% to 14% could be
achieved at the recovery in the range of 42% to 83%
depending on the operating parameters from the
scavenger feed containing approximately 2–2.5%
Cu. Operating parameters can be adjusted to achieve
according to grade and recovery targets.
• The pilot test was conducted using one single cell at
a very short residence time, where many particles are
expected to pass through the aerator-separator only
once. Multiple cells in series could improve the over-
all recovery.
• The operating parameters have a significant effect on
the flotation response, which can be studied at the
individual particle level with particle-based models
and automated mineralogy.
• Test work onsite demonstrated that G-Cell are suit-
able for recovering very fine (below 20 µm) and ultra-
fine particles (below 3 µm). Pneumatic cells could be
considered as a hybrid circuit for plant expansions
and retrofit to existing mechanical cells, especially to
reduce losses of fine copper to tailings. They can be
applied to improve the flotation performance in an
existing plant with a small footprint and low invest-
ment cost.
FUNDING
This paper has received financial support from the European
Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program
under grant agreement no. 821265 -FineFuture.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors would like to acknowledge our colleagues at
KGHM, Poland, Leon Knüpfer, and Hannes Emmerich at
TU Dresden for their great support during the pilot trial.
Thanks to our Particle Fate Modelling group at HZDR-
HIF for their discussion and support. Roland Würkert for
sample preparation.
Figure 5. Recovery of individual particles of main minerals as a function of size and liberation