Copper minerals flotation in flotation plant of the "Rudnik" mine

Abstract

A unique technology of direct selective flotation is in use in flotation plant of the "Rudnik" mine in order to obtain selective lead, copper and zinc concentrates. Technological process is very sensitive to so-called "selectivity" because loss of individual metals through selective concentrates is present. Copper minerals flotation cycle is especially sensitive to selectivity and sometimes there is a higher content of lead and zinc minerals present in copper concentrate which is penalized. In this paper laboratory research results of lowering galena and zinc content in copper concentrate possibility due to extended time of cleaning are shown. All experiments were carried out on copper concentrate samples taken from the "Rudnik" flotation plant. Copper concentrate mineralogical analysis were carried out before flotation experiments.

Keywords

• selective flotation
• copper minerals
• penalized elements