XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 2913
obtained only for the M4B ore, which is the polymetallic
(Cu/Zn) ore and one of the most complex ores processed
by Antamina.
HYDROFLOAT LAB TEST WORK
Lab Test Equipment and Procedure
During this project, a wide range of CPF tests have been
carried out from 2021 to 2024. Exploratory tests were con-
ducted in the beginning (stage 1), followed by optimization
and variability tests (stage 3), and then an on-site pilot scale
test campaign (stage 4).
A 6-inch diameter HydroFloat ® cell was used for labo-
ratory testing (Figure 3). Figure 4 shows a general outline of
the procedure used to perform laboratory work.
In the lab test work, after the sample was classified and
conditioned, it was fed into the HydroFloat ® cell using a
vibrating feeder. Water flow, air flow and bed height were
controlled from the skid PLC control system. Upon reach-
ing the steady state, samples were collected to perform
chemical assays and metallurgical balances.
Upon identifying the optimal conditions, samples were
collected to carry out regrinding studies of the HydroFloat
concentrate and then rougher flotation tests on this
reground concentrate in an ESSA lab conventional flotation
cell. Flotation test work on the HydroFloat concentrate was
conducted following Antamina´s standard procedure.
Sample
To carry out the laboratory test work campaign, a compos-
ite sample was taken from the rougher tailings of the con-
centrator. The M4B rougher tailings (conventional plant)
sample, which was the subject of this study had a P80 of
226µm. Figure 5 shows the distribution of Cu, Zn and Fe
by size. This Figure shows what is widely known, in concen-
trator plants that use conventional cells, the greatest losses
of valuable elements occur in the fine fractions (20µm)
and in the coarse fractions (150µm). In this sample it is
observed that 18% of the Cu was lost in the 20µm frac-
tions, while 63% in the 150µm fraction. As for Zn, 33%
was lost in the 20µm fraction and 52% in the 150µm
fraction. 28% of the iron was contained in the 20µm frac-
tion, while only 29% in the 150µm fraction.
CPF Lab Test Works Results
Table 1 shows the results of the classification process. In the
studied sample, the coarse fraction (150µm) had a P80 of
395µm. Upon classification, the coarse fraction was used to
conduct CPF test work. HydroFloat test results are shown
in Table 2. The average metallurgical recovery was 89%
Cu, 90% Zn and 42% Fe. The average enrichment ratio
was around 3 for Cu and Zn, and the average mass pull
(HydroFloat) was 30%.
Figure 3. HydroFloat® CPF skid for laboratory test works
obtained only for the M4B ore, which is the polymetallic
(Cu/Zn) ore and one of the most complex ores processed
by Antamina.
HYDROFLOAT LAB TEST WORK
Lab Test Equipment and Procedure
During this project, a wide range of CPF tests have been
carried out from 2021 to 2024. Exploratory tests were con-
ducted in the beginning (stage 1), followed by optimization
and variability tests (stage 3), and then an on-site pilot scale
test campaign (stage 4).
A 6-inch diameter HydroFloat ® cell was used for labo-
ratory testing (Figure 3). Figure 4 shows a general outline of
the procedure used to perform laboratory work.
In the lab test work, after the sample was classified and
conditioned, it was fed into the HydroFloat ® cell using a
vibrating feeder. Water flow, air flow and bed height were
controlled from the skid PLC control system. Upon reach-
ing the steady state, samples were collected to perform
chemical assays and metallurgical balances.
Upon identifying the optimal conditions, samples were
collected to carry out regrinding studies of the HydroFloat
concentrate and then rougher flotation tests on this
reground concentrate in an ESSA lab conventional flotation
cell. Flotation test work on the HydroFloat concentrate was
conducted following Antamina´s standard procedure.
Sample
To carry out the laboratory test work campaign, a compos-
ite sample was taken from the rougher tailings of the con-
centrator. The M4B rougher tailings (conventional plant)
sample, which was the subject of this study had a P80 of
226µm. Figure 5 shows the distribution of Cu, Zn and Fe
by size. This Figure shows what is widely known, in concen-
trator plants that use conventional cells, the greatest losses
of valuable elements occur in the fine fractions (20µm)
and in the coarse fractions (150µm). In this sample it is
observed that 18% of the Cu was lost in the 20µm frac-
tions, while 63% in the 150µm fraction. As for Zn, 33%
was lost in the 20µm fraction and 52% in the 150µm
fraction. 28% of the iron was contained in the 20µm frac-
tion, while only 29% in the 150µm fraction.
CPF Lab Test Works Results
Table 1 shows the results of the classification process. In the
studied sample, the coarse fraction (150µm) had a P80 of
395µm. Upon classification, the coarse fraction was used to
conduct CPF test work. HydroFloat test results are shown
in Table 2. The average metallurgical recovery was 89%
Cu, 90% Zn and 42% Fe. The average enrichment ratio
was around 3 for Cu and Zn, and the average mass pull
(HydroFloat) was 30%.
Figure 3. HydroFloat® CPF skid for laboratory test works