5
cobaltiferous pyrite flotation in the bulk roughers, depres-
sion in the cleaners, and reactivation in the cleaner-scaven-
gers. The results of this program served as a guide for the
Mantoverde study.
Bulk flotation, copper cleaning, and pyrite scaveng-
ing flotation tests were conducted on samples representing
the four principal ore zones at Mantoverde (Mantoverde
North, Mantoverde South, Manto Ruso, and Celso). The
pyrite scavenging circuit was designed using a series of diag-
nostic open cycle and batch kinetics flotation tests.
Cleaner scavenger tailings from bench scale test work
on the four primary geological zones of Celso, Mantoverde
North, Mantoverde South and Manto Ruso was used as
feed to bench scale pyrite flotation tests. Each test was con-
ducted using the FKT procedure to produce kinetic infor-
mation for pyrite and cobalt, for each zone.
To promote the flotation of pyrite, a low pH of 8.0
was used with potassium ethyl xanthate. Figure 4 presents
cumulative pyrite recovery over time for each of the geo-
logical zones and shows the pyrite is fast floating for most
Figure 3 Aerial view of the Mantoverde sulfide and oxide facilities (excluding leach and tailings). Photo circa May 2024
cobaltiferous pyrite flotation in the bulk roughers, depres-
sion in the cleaners, and reactivation in the cleaner-scaven-
gers. The results of this program served as a guide for the
Mantoverde study.
Bulk flotation, copper cleaning, and pyrite scaveng-
ing flotation tests were conducted on samples representing
the four principal ore zones at Mantoverde (Mantoverde
North, Mantoverde South, Manto Ruso, and Celso). The
pyrite scavenging circuit was designed using a series of diag-
nostic open cycle and batch kinetics flotation tests.
Cleaner scavenger tailings from bench scale test work
on the four primary geological zones of Celso, Mantoverde
North, Mantoverde South and Manto Ruso was used as
feed to bench scale pyrite flotation tests. Each test was con-
ducted using the FKT procedure to produce kinetic infor-
mation for pyrite and cobalt, for each zone.
To promote the flotation of pyrite, a low pH of 8.0
was used with potassium ethyl xanthate. Figure 4 presents
cumulative pyrite recovery over time for each of the geo-
logical zones and shows the pyrite is fast floating for most
Figure 3 Aerial view of the Mantoverde sulfide and oxide facilities (excluding leach and tailings). Photo circa May 2024