2914 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
HydroFloat test P06 products were then selected for
further studies. The products of this test were subject to a
size-by-size analysis as shown in Figure 6. Recoveries higher
than 90% were obtained for Cu and Zn at particle size frac-
tions ranging from 150µm to 425µm. Even at 600×425µm
recovery remained high (88% Cu and 89% Zn). Recovery
dropped at the coarser fraction (600 µm), which would
be mainly related to the poor liberation of the elements
of interest. Recovery values shown in Table 2 and Figure 6
show clear evidence of the good susceptibility of this poly-
metallic material (M4B) to being efficiently processed with
the HydroFloat technology.
It is well known that HydroFloat technology efficiently
recovers coarse particles. However, CPF is a bulk flota-
tion process, meaning it will float all minerals that have
been hydrophobized by the collectors used in the process.
This was one of the main concerns for processing the M4B
ore, since although it was expected that recovery in the
Figure 4. Simplified HydroFloat® CPF test work flowsheet
Figure 5. Size by size deportment of metals in M4B rougher tails used to perform CPF lab test works
HydroFloat test P06 products were then selected for
further studies. The products of this test were subject to a
size-by-size analysis as shown in Figure 6. Recoveries higher
than 90% were obtained for Cu and Zn at particle size frac-
tions ranging from 150µm to 425µm. Even at 600×425µm
recovery remained high (88% Cu and 89% Zn). Recovery
dropped at the coarser fraction (600 µm), which would
be mainly related to the poor liberation of the elements
of interest. Recovery values shown in Table 2 and Figure 6
show clear evidence of the good susceptibility of this poly-
metallic material (M4B) to being efficiently processed with
the HydroFloat technology.
It is well known that HydroFloat technology efficiently
recovers coarse particles. However, CPF is a bulk flota-
tion process, meaning it will float all minerals that have
been hydrophobized by the collectors used in the process.
This was one of the main concerns for processing the M4B
ore, since although it was expected that recovery in the
Figure 4. Simplified HydroFloat® CPF test work flowsheet
Figure 5. Size by size deportment of metals in M4B rougher tails used to perform CPF lab test works