2966 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
each test, the sample was ground targeting the P80=360µm.
Immediately after grinding, the sample was conditioned
and fed to the new flotation cell. Figure 4 illustrates the
new CPF laboratory cell test circuit:
The slurry is conditioned in a conditioning tank and
the froth level is built in the flotation cell. After condition-
ing, the cell is fed continuously until the conditioning tank
is empty. Although the cell is a laboratory scale equipment,
it is operated continuously. Typically, 10kgs of ore is needed
per test. All tests were performed as single run tests.
For the tests performed the CFP flotation cell, the same
collector used at site was considered, however the tests were
performed with a stronger frother, which was Flotanol
CO7. Table 1 summarizes the test conditions for each
test completed with the CPF laboratory cell. All samples
produced were analyzed in bulk, +150µm and –150µm
fractions.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Half Factorial Tests
The target of the factorial tests was to determine which of
the variables had the most significant effect on obtaining a
high Cu recovery with a low mass pull. Minitab (version
18) was used as the statistical tool to evaluate the effect of
collector dosage, frother dosage, froth level and air flowrate
compared to the response variables of overall mass recovery
and Cu recovery as well as mass recovery and Cu recovery
in the +150µm and –150µm fractions.
Effect of Variables on Overall Mass Pull
Figure 5 illustrates the probability plot for the mass pull, in
which Minitab compares the data set using the Anderson-
Darling test where the null hypothesis is that the distribu-
tion is normal:
Figure 4. Metso’s Coarse Particles flotation laboratory testing circuit
Table 1. Summary of tests performed with Metso’s coarse particles flotation lab cell
RunOrder Collector Dosage (g/t) Frother (ppm) Froth Level (mm) Jg (cm/s) Note
1 20 20 250 2 1/2 Factorial
2 20 20 100 1 1/2 Factorial
3 20 40 250 1 1/2 Factorial
4 20 40 100 2 1/2 Factorial
5 40 20 250 1 1/2 Factorial
6 40 40 250 2 1/2 Factorial
7 40 40 100 1 1/2 Factorial
8 40 20 100 2 1/2 Factorial
9 40 40 250 2 Rep Test 6
10 40 40 400 2 Optimized Condition
11 40 40 400 2 Optimized Condition Rep
each test, the sample was ground targeting the P80=360µm.
Immediately after grinding, the sample was conditioned
and fed to the new flotation cell. Figure 4 illustrates the
new CPF laboratory cell test circuit:
The slurry is conditioned in a conditioning tank and
the froth level is built in the flotation cell. After condition-
ing, the cell is fed continuously until the conditioning tank
is empty. Although the cell is a laboratory scale equipment,
it is operated continuously. Typically, 10kgs of ore is needed
per test. All tests were performed as single run tests.
For the tests performed the CFP flotation cell, the same
collector used at site was considered, however the tests were
performed with a stronger frother, which was Flotanol
CO7. Table 1 summarizes the test conditions for each
test completed with the CPF laboratory cell. All samples
produced were analyzed in bulk, +150µm and –150µm
fractions.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Half Factorial Tests
The target of the factorial tests was to determine which of
the variables had the most significant effect on obtaining a
high Cu recovery with a low mass pull. Minitab (version
18) was used as the statistical tool to evaluate the effect of
collector dosage, frother dosage, froth level and air flowrate
compared to the response variables of overall mass recovery
and Cu recovery as well as mass recovery and Cu recovery
in the +150µm and –150µm fractions.
Effect of Variables on Overall Mass Pull
Figure 5 illustrates the probability plot for the mass pull, in
which Minitab compares the data set using the Anderson-
Darling test where the null hypothesis is that the distribu-
tion is normal:
Figure 4. Metso’s Coarse Particles flotation laboratory testing circuit
Table 1. Summary of tests performed with Metso’s coarse particles flotation lab cell
RunOrder Collector Dosage (g/t) Frother (ppm) Froth Level (mm) Jg (cm/s) Note
1 20 20 250 2 1/2 Factorial
2 20 20 100 1 1/2 Factorial
3 20 40 250 1 1/2 Factorial
4 20 40 100 2 1/2 Factorial
5 40 20 250 1 1/2 Factorial
6 40 40 250 2 1/2 Factorial
7 40 40 100 1 1/2 Factorial
8 40 20 100 2 1/2 Factorial
9 40 40 250 2 Rep Test 6
10 40 40 400 2 Optimized Condition
11 40 40 400 2 Optimized Condition Rep