XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 3057
INTRODUCTION
The use of reagents for the copper sulfide flotation process
is highly important, given that mining in countries like
Chile is one of the main economic activities, represent-
ing 9.4% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the
nation in 2019. Additionally, within this percentage, the
contribution of copper mining was 8.4% (SerNaGeoMin,
2020). On the other hand, the devaluation of copper prices
is accompanied by the rising costs of critical inputs such
as water and energy. This compels the mining industry to
design and implement management strategies that priori-
tize cost reduction while maintaining productive efficiency
(CoChilco, 2019) .The collectors used on a large scale in
Chile include sodium isopropyl xanthate, potassium amyl
xanthate, dithiophosphates, thionocarbamates, mercap-
tans, among others. On a commercial level, companies sell
collector mixtures under brand names. (Bulatovic, 2007).
However, in recent years, this sector has been affected by
various issues related to declining mineral grades, high
electricity and water costs, and environmental problems
(Joaquín Villarino, 2015) .The use of collectors, primarily
of ionic nature (such as Xanthates and their derivatives), is
characterized by a hydrophilic polar group linked to a long
hydrocarbon chain, which typically forms the hydrophobic
part of the molecule. The polarity strength depends on the
length of this chain. However, the accumulation of these
Xanthates poses a high risk as it can have significant nega-
tive effects on biology, particularly endangering the health
of the population, mineral species, and animals in contact
(Zhao et al., 2006).
As a result, various researchers have been searching for
many years to find alternative collectors that would be effec-
tive for the concentration of sulfide minerals. In a specific
and case, the use of recycled oils as collectors in froth flota-
tion has been explored, as it has demonstrated economic
and environmental advantages in terms of reusing kitchen
oil, which is classified as waste (Kim et al., 2022). Recent
studies have shown that the use of recycled vegetable oil has
allowed for high copper recoveries from sulfide minerals.
Specifically, the use of canola oil has yielded metallurgical
results equal to or better than those achieved with a conven-
tional collector. Additionally, it reduces the time required
for the flotation process to complete, thereby decreasing the
associated energy consumption (Owusu et al., 2016).
In 2017, Wen B. et al. conducted a review study focused
on increasing the hydrophobicity of lignite-type fossil coal.
Among the findings highlighted by the authors are collec-
tors based on mixtures of alcohols and recycled oils, which
are conditioned through low-temperature pyrolysis meth-
odologies and emulsion formation. The results indicate that
these oleic collectors, with hydrophobic links of the type
-CH3 and CH2, exhibit lignite concentration yields like
those found in collectors of completely pure diesel or kero-
sene (Wen et al., 2017). Regarding biosolid waste, these
compounds have been studied primarily as potential froth-
ers, given that the high protein content in their compo-
sition can promote the formation of surface foam in the
process. It has been demonstrated that the high amount of
proteins, sugars, and negatively charged functional groups
(OH- and -COO-) can produce stable foam comparable
to a commercial frother like MIBC. However, it has been
shown that their utility can extend to other fields, such as
their ability to act as a depressant reagent (Reyes-Bozo et
al., 2014, 2015).
In flotation, surfactants are commonly used to reduce
the size of bubbles and form stable foam by adsorbing at
liquid-air interfaces as frothers. The application of surfac-
tants as frothers in flotation has been extensively researched
and reviewed. Additionally, the effect on the flotation kinet-
ics of copper minerals has been analyzed, aiming to opti-
mize flotation times. It has been defined that these kinetics
depend significantly on the characteristics of the collector
reagent, as well as the surface oxidation state and flotation
medium conditions (Gao &Pan, 2021).
As a result, various researchers have been seeking in
recent years for alternative collectors that would be effec-
tive for the concentration of sulfide minerals. A current
trend involves replacing these collectors with environmen-
tally friendly agents. In this regard, vegetable oils derived
from the food industry emerge as a viable alternative, given
their promising results (Arcos &Uribe, 2021 Brandao
et al., 1994 Greene et al., 2012 Owusu et al., 2016).
Furthermore, exploratory studies propose the utilization of
biosolids as collectors, a material sourced from the waste-
water treatment industry (Reyes-Bozo et al., 2011, 2019).
Biosolids contain a variety of functional groups (mostly
phenolic and alcoholic), as well as humic acids, proteins,
and sugars (Dignac et al., 1998 Murthy et al., 2000). The
utilization of such materials could yield benefits by promot-
ing circular economy principles and fostering interactions
between industries. This work aims to study the potential
benefits of using recycled oils, biosolids waste and their
mixtures as collector reagents of copper sulphide minerals
in the froth flotation process. It also seeks to identify the
most suitable process times a conventional collector (PAX).
The study considered flotation kinetics of ERVOs and BSs
by separated, analysis of metallurgical indexes to use differ-
ent ERVOs/BSs mixtures and compare these results with
those obtained with the conventional collector potassium
amyl xanthate (PAX).
INTRODUCTION
The use of reagents for the copper sulfide flotation process
is highly important, given that mining in countries like
Chile is one of the main economic activities, represent-
ing 9.4% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the
nation in 2019. Additionally, within this percentage, the
contribution of copper mining was 8.4% (SerNaGeoMin,
2020). On the other hand, the devaluation of copper prices
is accompanied by the rising costs of critical inputs such
as water and energy. This compels the mining industry to
design and implement management strategies that priori-
tize cost reduction while maintaining productive efficiency
(CoChilco, 2019) .The collectors used on a large scale in
Chile include sodium isopropyl xanthate, potassium amyl
xanthate, dithiophosphates, thionocarbamates, mercap-
tans, among others. On a commercial level, companies sell
collector mixtures under brand names. (Bulatovic, 2007).
However, in recent years, this sector has been affected by
various issues related to declining mineral grades, high
electricity and water costs, and environmental problems
(Joaquín Villarino, 2015) .The use of collectors, primarily
of ionic nature (such as Xanthates and their derivatives), is
characterized by a hydrophilic polar group linked to a long
hydrocarbon chain, which typically forms the hydrophobic
part of the molecule. The polarity strength depends on the
length of this chain. However, the accumulation of these
Xanthates poses a high risk as it can have significant nega-
tive effects on biology, particularly endangering the health
of the population, mineral species, and animals in contact
(Zhao et al., 2006).
As a result, various researchers have been searching for
many years to find alternative collectors that would be effec-
tive for the concentration of sulfide minerals. In a specific
and case, the use of recycled oils as collectors in froth flota-
tion has been explored, as it has demonstrated economic
and environmental advantages in terms of reusing kitchen
oil, which is classified as waste (Kim et al., 2022). Recent
studies have shown that the use of recycled vegetable oil has
allowed for high copper recoveries from sulfide minerals.
Specifically, the use of canola oil has yielded metallurgical
results equal to or better than those achieved with a conven-
tional collector. Additionally, it reduces the time required
for the flotation process to complete, thereby decreasing the
associated energy consumption (Owusu et al., 2016).
In 2017, Wen B. et al. conducted a review study focused
on increasing the hydrophobicity of lignite-type fossil coal.
Among the findings highlighted by the authors are collec-
tors based on mixtures of alcohols and recycled oils, which
are conditioned through low-temperature pyrolysis meth-
odologies and emulsion formation. The results indicate that
these oleic collectors, with hydrophobic links of the type
-CH3 and CH2, exhibit lignite concentration yields like
those found in collectors of completely pure diesel or kero-
sene (Wen et al., 2017). Regarding biosolid waste, these
compounds have been studied primarily as potential froth-
ers, given that the high protein content in their compo-
sition can promote the formation of surface foam in the
process. It has been demonstrated that the high amount of
proteins, sugars, and negatively charged functional groups
(OH- and -COO-) can produce stable foam comparable
to a commercial frother like MIBC. However, it has been
shown that their utility can extend to other fields, such as
their ability to act as a depressant reagent (Reyes-Bozo et
al., 2014, 2015).
In flotation, surfactants are commonly used to reduce
the size of bubbles and form stable foam by adsorbing at
liquid-air interfaces as frothers. The application of surfac-
tants as frothers in flotation has been extensively researched
and reviewed. Additionally, the effect on the flotation kinet-
ics of copper minerals has been analyzed, aiming to opti-
mize flotation times. It has been defined that these kinetics
depend significantly on the characteristics of the collector
reagent, as well as the surface oxidation state and flotation
medium conditions (Gao &Pan, 2021).
As a result, various researchers have been seeking in
recent years for alternative collectors that would be effec-
tive for the concentration of sulfide minerals. A current
trend involves replacing these collectors with environmen-
tally friendly agents. In this regard, vegetable oils derived
from the food industry emerge as a viable alternative, given
their promising results (Arcos &Uribe, 2021 Brandao
et al., 1994 Greene et al., 2012 Owusu et al., 2016).
Furthermore, exploratory studies propose the utilization of
biosolids as collectors, a material sourced from the waste-
water treatment industry (Reyes-Bozo et al., 2011, 2019).
Biosolids contain a variety of functional groups (mostly
phenolic and alcoholic), as well as humic acids, proteins,
and sugars (Dignac et al., 1998 Murthy et al., 2000). The
utilization of such materials could yield benefits by promot-
ing circular economy principles and fostering interactions
between industries. This work aims to study the potential
benefits of using recycled oils, biosolids waste and their
mixtures as collector reagents of copper sulphide minerals
in the froth flotation process. It also seeks to identify the
most suitable process times a conventional collector (PAX).
The study considered flotation kinetics of ERVOs and BSs
by separated, analysis of metallurgical indexes to use differ-
ent ERVOs/BSs mixtures and compare these results with
those obtained with the conventional collector potassium
amyl xanthate (PAX).