2886 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
be able to capture more of the copper sulphide particles. It
should be noted that the reagent dosages were lower in the
mechanical cell tests. The copper grade-recovery curves are
presented in Figure 13.
In HGT, the mechanical cell produces similar recover-
ies than the Concorde for a grade that is 10 to 20% lower.
In LGT, the recovery is lower than in the Concorde Cell
– for the same grade of about 13,5%, the recovery is 13 to
22,5% lower and in general, the grade is lower by 5 to 15%.
Given the fine PSDs involved (22µm for HGT and 46µm
for LGT), it is not surprising that the Concorde Cell out-
performs the mechanical cells. This has been observed regu-
larly with the Concorde and described in detail in Yáñez et
al. (2024) and Kupka et al. (2023a).
CONCLUSIONS
The impact of some operating and design parameters on
the metallurgical performance of a Concorde Cell at lab
scale was evaluated in the flotation of complex copper tail-
ings from an African concentrator. Two streams are used
for testing, both tailings of different recleaner cells, one
high grade (HGT) and one low grade (LGT). Copper feed
grades are 6,4 and 4,7% for HGT and LGT respectively,
and SiO2 grades are 55,8 and 57,9% respectively. Particle
size distribution analyses show HGT has a P80 of 21,7 and
P90 of 45,4 µm while LGT has a P80 of 46,2 µm and a
P90 of 86 µm.
The parameters investigated include the air-to-pulp
ratio, froth washing and the presence of a froth crowder. In
general, the metallurgical performance is very dependent
on the stream itself and its associated mineralogy.
For HGT, the reduction in FSA to a slight decrease
in metallurgical performance, with slower kinetics for the
copper-bearing sulphides which is not associated with a
higher grade or a higher selectivity against silica. On LGT,
the reduction in FSA on the contrary leads to a very high
increase in copper recovery (+9%) while maintaining simi-
lar grades. The kinetics are highly accelerated while main-
taining a higher selectivity. For both streams, the slight
increase in APR (+0,2) provided no difference in perfor-
mance, which could indicate that the change in APR was
not significant enough to impact the flotation.
Figure 12. SEM-BSE pictures of the first concentrate of HGT-4 assaying at 57.1%
be able to capture more of the copper sulphide particles. It
should be noted that the reagent dosages were lower in the
mechanical cell tests. The copper grade-recovery curves are
presented in Figure 13.
In HGT, the mechanical cell produces similar recover-
ies than the Concorde for a grade that is 10 to 20% lower.
In LGT, the recovery is lower than in the Concorde Cell
– for the same grade of about 13,5%, the recovery is 13 to
22,5% lower and in general, the grade is lower by 5 to 15%.
Given the fine PSDs involved (22µm for HGT and 46µm
for LGT), it is not surprising that the Concorde Cell out-
performs the mechanical cells. This has been observed regu-
larly with the Concorde and described in detail in Yáñez et
al. (2024) and Kupka et al. (2023a).
CONCLUSIONS
The impact of some operating and design parameters on
the metallurgical performance of a Concorde Cell at lab
scale was evaluated in the flotation of complex copper tail-
ings from an African concentrator. Two streams are used
for testing, both tailings of different recleaner cells, one
high grade (HGT) and one low grade (LGT). Copper feed
grades are 6,4 and 4,7% for HGT and LGT respectively,
and SiO2 grades are 55,8 and 57,9% respectively. Particle
size distribution analyses show HGT has a P80 of 21,7 and
P90 of 45,4 µm while LGT has a P80 of 46,2 µm and a
P90 of 86 µm.
The parameters investigated include the air-to-pulp
ratio, froth washing and the presence of a froth crowder. In
general, the metallurgical performance is very dependent
on the stream itself and its associated mineralogy.
For HGT, the reduction in FSA to a slight decrease
in metallurgical performance, with slower kinetics for the
copper-bearing sulphides which is not associated with a
higher grade or a higher selectivity against silica. On LGT,
the reduction in FSA on the contrary leads to a very high
increase in copper recovery (+9%) while maintaining simi-
lar grades. The kinetics are highly accelerated while main-
taining a higher selectivity. For both streams, the slight
increase in APR (+0,2) provided no difference in perfor-
mance, which could indicate that the change in APR was
not significant enough to impact the flotation.
Figure 12. SEM-BSE pictures of the first concentrate of HGT-4 assaying at 57.1%