2878
Metallurgical Performance of the Concorde Cell Depending on
Operating and Design Parameters in the Flotation of Complex
Copper Tailings
Nathalie M.L. Kupka, Berivan Tunç, Alejandro Yáñez
Metso Finland
Raghav Dube
Metso USA
ABSTRACT: The Concorde Cell™ is a high-intensity pneumatic flotation technology from Metso dedicated to
recovering fine and ultrafine particles. With its high energy dissipation and its fine bubbles, the Concorde Cell is
typically used as a standalone unit, reducing energy consumption and plant footprint. The impact of operating
and design parameters on the metallurgical performance of the Concorde, incl. the air-to-pulp ratio, wash water
flowrate or presence of a froth crowder, will be evaluated in the flotation of a copper ore.
Keywords: fines flotation Concorde Cell copper ore chalcocite
INTRODUCTION
The Concorde Cell is an enhanced forced-air pneumatic
flotation cell that relies on high shearing, high energy dis-
sipation and fine bubbles to float fine and ultrafine particles
below 75µm. It is typically used as a standalone unit placed
at the front of a flotation bank, reducing energy consump-
tion and plant footprint. The functioning principle of the
cell and its main parameters are described in Yáñez et al.
(2024).
Test work at lab, pilot and industrial scales with the
Concorde Cell were performed and benchmarked to other
flotation technologies, from mechanical cells to a column
and SAP cells in copper, graphite, nickel, PGM and metal-
lurgical coal. In every evaluated scale, the Concorde Cell
consistently outperforms the reference technology, by pro-
viding high grades and selectivity at a shorter residence
time. These technology comparison studies can be found
in Ball et al. (2023) Jameson (2010) Kupka et al. (2023a)
Kupka and Yañez (2022) Tunc et al. (2022) and Kupka et
al. (2023b).
In this article, the impact of some operating and design
parameters on the metallurgical performance of a Concorde
Cell at lab scale is evaluated in the flotation of complex
copper tailings from an African concentrator. Two streams
are used for testing, both tailings of different recleaner cells,
one high grade (named hereafter High-Grade Tailings –
HGT) and one low grade (named hereafter Low-Grade
Tailings – LGT). The parameters invvestigated include the
air-to-pulp ratio, froth washing and the presence of a froth
crowder.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Copper Tailings
The copper tailings are from an African concentrator.
Two streams are used for testing, both tailings of dif-
ferent recleaner cells, one high grade (named hereafter
Metallurgical Performance of the Concorde Cell Depending on
Operating and Design Parameters in the Flotation of Complex
Copper Tailings
Nathalie M.L. Kupka, Berivan Tunç, Alejandro Yáñez
Metso Finland
Raghav Dube
Metso USA
ABSTRACT: The Concorde Cell™ is a high-intensity pneumatic flotation technology from Metso dedicated to
recovering fine and ultrafine particles. With its high energy dissipation and its fine bubbles, the Concorde Cell is
typically used as a standalone unit, reducing energy consumption and plant footprint. The impact of operating
and design parameters on the metallurgical performance of the Concorde, incl. the air-to-pulp ratio, wash water
flowrate or presence of a froth crowder, will be evaluated in the flotation of a copper ore.
Keywords: fines flotation Concorde Cell copper ore chalcocite
INTRODUCTION
The Concorde Cell is an enhanced forced-air pneumatic
flotation cell that relies on high shearing, high energy dis-
sipation and fine bubbles to float fine and ultrafine particles
below 75µm. It is typically used as a standalone unit placed
at the front of a flotation bank, reducing energy consump-
tion and plant footprint. The functioning principle of the
cell and its main parameters are described in Yáñez et al.
(2024).
Test work at lab, pilot and industrial scales with the
Concorde Cell were performed and benchmarked to other
flotation technologies, from mechanical cells to a column
and SAP cells in copper, graphite, nickel, PGM and metal-
lurgical coal. In every evaluated scale, the Concorde Cell
consistently outperforms the reference technology, by pro-
viding high grades and selectivity at a shorter residence
time. These technology comparison studies can be found
in Ball et al. (2023) Jameson (2010) Kupka et al. (2023a)
Kupka and Yañez (2022) Tunc et al. (2022) and Kupka et
al. (2023b).
In this article, the impact of some operating and design
parameters on the metallurgical performance of a Concorde
Cell at lab scale is evaluated in the flotation of complex
copper tailings from an African concentrator. Two streams
are used for testing, both tailings of different recleaner cells,
one high grade (named hereafter High-Grade Tailings –
HGT) and one low grade (named hereafter Low-Grade
Tailings – LGT). The parameters invvestigated include the
air-to-pulp ratio, froth washing and the presence of a froth
crowder.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Copper Tailings
The copper tailings are from an African concentrator.
Two streams are used for testing, both tailings of dif-
ferent recleaner cells, one high grade (named hereafter