3
chalcopyrite is free (64.88%), while smaller proportions are
liberated to various extents or locked within other minerals.
Flotation Tests
Thirteen collectors from Clariant’s product range were tested
in laboratory-scale flotation tests. To preserve confidential-
ity, the specific names or chemical compositions of these
collectors were not disclosed. Instead, they were labelled as
C1 to C13 and tested in random order. The summarized
results can be found in Figure 3. The collectors demon-
strating the highest copper recovery rates are C13 (82.4%),
C1 (82.1%), and C8 (80.0%). Collectors C1, C8, C11,
and C13 exhibit copper recovery surpassing the average of
75.2%. A general trend reveals that higher copper recov-
ery rates tend to coincide with elevated copper grades and
moderate mass recoveries. For instance, C13 displays both
a high copper grade (7.1%) and one of the highest copper
recovery rates (82.4%), alongside a mass recovery of 9.1%.
Similarly, C1 showcases a notable copper grade (5.9%),
high copper recovery (82.1%), and substantial mass recov-
ery (10.9%). Collectors C9 (59.6%) and C10 (65.7%)
demonstrate notably lower copper recovery rates compared
to others in the study. Generally, higher copper grades
tend to correspond with elevated copper recovery rates.
Noteworthy examples include C13 (7.1% Cu grade and
82.4% Cu recovery) and C8 (7.5% Cu grade and 80.0%
Cu recovery). Collectors such as C1, C8, C11, and C13
consistently perform well across all metrics, including cop-
per grade, mass recovery, and copper recovery. Collectors
such as C1, C8, C11, and C13 consistently perform well
across all metrics, including copper grade, mass recovery,
and copper recovery.
Cu Distribution by Size in the Tailings
Based on the results of the sieving analysis and chemical
assay of flotation tailings, the following conclusions can be
drawn regarding the collectors with the lowest and greatest
losses of copper distribution in each size fraction. The sum-
marized results can be found in Figure 4. For the –75 μm
size fraction, collectors C9 and C8 exhibit the lowest losses,
with copper distributions of 31.2% and 34.3%, respec-
tively. In the +75 μm size fraction, collector C11 dem-
onstrates the lowest losses, with a copper distribution of
10.1%. Among the +150 μm size fraction, collector C12
presents the lowest losses, with a copper distribution of
12.1%. For the +210 μm size fraction, collector C10 shows
the lowest losses, with a copper distribution of 20.0%.
Figure. 1. Particle size distribution of the flotation feed
Figure 2. Distribution of sulphide minerals in flotation feed: (a) Sulphide mineral
composition, (b) Chalcopyrite liberation
chalcopyrite is free (64.88%), while smaller proportions are
liberated to various extents or locked within other minerals.
Flotation Tests
Thirteen collectors from Clariant’s product range were tested
in laboratory-scale flotation tests. To preserve confidential-
ity, the specific names or chemical compositions of these
collectors were not disclosed. Instead, they were labelled as
C1 to C13 and tested in random order. The summarized
results can be found in Figure 3. The collectors demon-
strating the highest copper recovery rates are C13 (82.4%),
C1 (82.1%), and C8 (80.0%). Collectors C1, C8, C11,
and C13 exhibit copper recovery surpassing the average of
75.2%. A general trend reveals that higher copper recov-
ery rates tend to coincide with elevated copper grades and
moderate mass recoveries. For instance, C13 displays both
a high copper grade (7.1%) and one of the highest copper
recovery rates (82.4%), alongside a mass recovery of 9.1%.
Similarly, C1 showcases a notable copper grade (5.9%),
high copper recovery (82.1%), and substantial mass recov-
ery (10.9%). Collectors C9 (59.6%) and C10 (65.7%)
demonstrate notably lower copper recovery rates compared
to others in the study. Generally, higher copper grades
tend to correspond with elevated copper recovery rates.
Noteworthy examples include C13 (7.1% Cu grade and
82.4% Cu recovery) and C8 (7.5% Cu grade and 80.0%
Cu recovery). Collectors such as C1, C8, C11, and C13
consistently perform well across all metrics, including cop-
per grade, mass recovery, and copper recovery. Collectors
such as C1, C8, C11, and C13 consistently perform well
across all metrics, including copper grade, mass recovery,
and copper recovery.
Cu Distribution by Size in the Tailings
Based on the results of the sieving analysis and chemical
assay of flotation tailings, the following conclusions can be
drawn regarding the collectors with the lowest and greatest
losses of copper distribution in each size fraction. The sum-
marized results can be found in Figure 4. For the –75 μm
size fraction, collectors C9 and C8 exhibit the lowest losses,
with copper distributions of 31.2% and 34.3%, respec-
tively. In the +75 μm size fraction, collector C11 dem-
onstrates the lowest losses, with a copper distribution of
10.1%. Among the +150 μm size fraction, collector C12
presents the lowest losses, with a copper distribution of
12.1%. For the +210 μm size fraction, collector C10 shows
the lowest losses, with a copper distribution of 20.0%.
Figure. 1. Particle size distribution of the flotation feed
Figure 2. Distribution of sulphide minerals in flotation feed: (a) Sulphide mineral
composition, (b) Chalcopyrite liberation