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25-006
Advancements in Frother Optimization for Enhanced PGM and
Sulphide Ore Recovery
Natalie Shackleton
AECI Mining Chemicals, a division of
AECI Mining Ltd, RSA
Vratislav Malysiak
AECI Mining Chemicals, a division of
AECI Mining Ltd, RSA
Belinda McFadzean
Centre of Minerals Research,
University of Cape Town, RSA
Avuyile Wali
Centre of Minerals Research,
University of Cape Town, RSA
Shani Engelbrecht
AECI Mining Chemicals, a division of
AECI Mining Ltd, RSA
ABSTRACT
Frothers play a crucial role in sulphide and PGM ore flo-
tation recovery, and AECI Mining Chemicals studies on
PGM ores have shown significant flotation kinetic increases
with the optimal frother-collector combinations. Using
Senfroth 200 as the industry baseline, remarkable kinetic
increases were observed with AECI Mining Chemicals
developed frothers in the first concentrate. Even in the
worst-case scenarios, 4E PGM recovery increased by 5% at
a slightly higher concentrate grade.
It is important not to limit frother dosage to a fixed
value. Instead, enough frother should be added to main-
tain a stable bench float, measuring the dosages by frother
volume before and after tests. Frothers can be specialized
blends and their importance should not be underestimated.
The results produced by formulating and innovating froth-
ers to address specific industry challenges have been encour-
aging. Testing a frother on a plant scale does not have to be
as daunting as with collectors, enabling the identification
of the best frother-collector combinations at an industrial
scale. AECI Mining Chemicals bench scale testwork has
motivated plant-scale trials that have successfully transi-
tioned to commercialization.
This paper compares the results from metallurgical
and froth stability tests and shows that occasionally froth-
ers that have a less stable froth can have improved valuable
mineral recoveries, while still exhibiting better drainage for
reduced entrainment and mass pull. It was shown that cau-
tion should be used when relying only on simplified froth
stability tests in the evaluation of new frothers.
Keywords: Batch flotation, Plant trials, Frothers, Gangue,
PGM
INTRODUCTION
Froth stability plays an important role in determining
selectivity and recovery in flotation [1]. McFadzean et al.
highlighted that the flotation process consists of two dis-
tinct phases: the pulp and froth phase. In the pulp phase,
the collision between the particle and bubble occurs, the
hydrophobic mineral particles attach to bubble surfaces
and the bubble-particle aggregates transport to the top of
the pulp phase [2]. Mineralized air bubbles accumulate at
the pulp surface where they form a froth phase. One of the
main roles of the froth phase is to create a suitable envi-
ronment for the separation of floatable, valuable minerals
from non-selectively recovered, entrained gangue miner-
als. As a result, the froth phase plays a significant role in
the metallurgical performance of industrial flotation cells.
The importance of the froth phase has been recognised for
many years [1, 2, 3, 4].
25-006
Advancements in Frother Optimization for Enhanced PGM and
Sulphide Ore Recovery
Natalie Shackleton
AECI Mining Chemicals, a division of
AECI Mining Ltd, RSA
Vratislav Malysiak
AECI Mining Chemicals, a division of
AECI Mining Ltd, RSA
Belinda McFadzean
Centre of Minerals Research,
University of Cape Town, RSA
Avuyile Wali
Centre of Minerals Research,
University of Cape Town, RSA
Shani Engelbrecht
AECI Mining Chemicals, a division of
AECI Mining Ltd, RSA
ABSTRACT
Frothers play a crucial role in sulphide and PGM ore flo-
tation recovery, and AECI Mining Chemicals studies on
PGM ores have shown significant flotation kinetic increases
with the optimal frother-collector combinations. Using
Senfroth 200 as the industry baseline, remarkable kinetic
increases were observed with AECI Mining Chemicals
developed frothers in the first concentrate. Even in the
worst-case scenarios, 4E PGM recovery increased by 5% at
a slightly higher concentrate grade.
It is important not to limit frother dosage to a fixed
value. Instead, enough frother should be added to main-
tain a stable bench float, measuring the dosages by frother
volume before and after tests. Frothers can be specialized
blends and their importance should not be underestimated.
The results produced by formulating and innovating froth-
ers to address specific industry challenges have been encour-
aging. Testing a frother on a plant scale does not have to be
as daunting as with collectors, enabling the identification
of the best frother-collector combinations at an industrial
scale. AECI Mining Chemicals bench scale testwork has
motivated plant-scale trials that have successfully transi-
tioned to commercialization.
This paper compares the results from metallurgical
and froth stability tests and shows that occasionally froth-
ers that have a less stable froth can have improved valuable
mineral recoveries, while still exhibiting better drainage for
reduced entrainment and mass pull. It was shown that cau-
tion should be used when relying only on simplified froth
stability tests in the evaluation of new frothers.
Keywords: Batch flotation, Plant trials, Frothers, Gangue,
PGM
INTRODUCTION
Froth stability plays an important role in determining
selectivity and recovery in flotation [1]. McFadzean et al.
highlighted that the flotation process consists of two dis-
tinct phases: the pulp and froth phase. In the pulp phase,
the collision between the particle and bubble occurs, the
hydrophobic mineral particles attach to bubble surfaces
and the bubble-particle aggregates transport to the top of
the pulp phase [2]. Mineralized air bubbles accumulate at
the pulp surface where they form a froth phase. One of the
main roles of the froth phase is to create a suitable envi-
ronment for the separation of floatable, valuable minerals
from non-selectively recovered, entrained gangue miner-
als. As a result, the froth phase plays a significant role in
the metallurgical performance of industrial flotation cells.
The importance of the froth phase has been recognised for
many years [1, 2, 3, 4].