Conventional flotation processing in mining is a widely used method for separating valuable minerals from the ore. This process primarily relies on the differences in the hydrophobic properties of minerals. Here's a brief overview of how it works:
Crushing and Grinding: First, the ore is crushed and ground into fine particles to liberate the valuable minerals from the waste rock.
Pulp Preparation: The ground ore is then mixed with water and chemical reagents to form a slurry or pulp. These reagents include collectors, frothers, and modifiers.
Conditioning: Reagents are added to the slurry to condition the particles. Collectors enhance the hydrophobic properties of the valuable minerals, while modifiers adjust the pH of the slurry to optimize the interaction between minerals and reagents.
Flotation Cells: The conditioned pulp is introduced into flotation cells, where air bubbles are injected or naturally induced. The hydrophobic minerals attach to the air bubbles and rise to the surface, forming a froth layer.
Froth Removal: The froth, which contains the concentrated valuable minerals, is skimmed off the surface and collected, while the hydrophilic waste rock (gangue) remains in the slurry and is discarded as tailings.
Concentrate Dewatering: The collected froth (concentrate) is then dewatered, typically using filters or thickeners, to produce a higher-grade mineral product for further processing or refining.
Conventional flotation processing is highly effective for sulfide ores, such as copper, lead, and zinc, and can be adapted for a variety of mineral types by adjusting the reagents and operating conditions.
