Flotoclassification of copper ore with convergent trough cleaning of frother products

The paper discusses a flowchart of flotoclassification (size classification while floating) within a closed circuit of grinding, with froth treatment in converging chutes during processing of cupper sulfide ore. The closed circuit of grinding with flotoclassification is analyzed theoretically. A comprehensive description of simulated closed grinding circuit with and without flotoclassification is given. The copper size grading data after wet screening and in flotoclassification are compared. The experimental testing of flotoclassification with froth treatment in converging chutes is presented as a case-study of Elenovskoe copper ore. It is shown that flotoclassification included in the closed grinding circuit produces standard quality copper concentrate, tailings and middlings sent to the next flotation stage, in amount of 60% of initial feedstock, which reduces machine hours, energy usage and capital input in flotation. An innovative flotoclassifier is designed, with jet and electrochemical aerators arranged in a converging chute. The relevance of the flotoclassification within the closed grinding circuit with froth treatment in converging chutes consists in improved performance of the technology thanks to reduced over-grinding of minerals.

Morozov Yu. P., Intogarova T. I., Valieva O. S., Bitimbaev M. Zh. Flotoclassification of copper ore with convergent trough cleaning of frother products. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2021;(11-1):285—292. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2021_111_0_285.

The research was carried out with the financial support of the grant of the Committee of the Science Foundation No. 163-18-GC of the Republic of Kazakhstan «Implementation in production conditions of innovative electrochemical chlorination technology for direct extraction from ore and tailings of non-ferrous and precious metals enrichment».

Morozov Yu. P.¹, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Professor at the Mineral Processing Department, e-mail: tails2002@inbox.ru;
TIntogarova T. I.², Senior Lecturer at the Department of Mining;
Valieva O. S.², Senior Lecturer at the Department of Mining;
Bitimbaev M. Zh.³, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Professor;
¹ Ural State Mining University, ul. Kuibysheva 30, Yekaterinburg, 620144 Russia;
² Mirny Polytechnic Institute, Branch of the Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University, ul. Oyunskogo 14, Mirny, 678174 Russia;
³ Satpayev Kazakh National Research Technical University, ul. Satpayeva 22, Almaty, 050000 Kazakhstan.

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