Studies on column flotation of sulphide ores of Western Australia

Summary

The separation of arsenopyrite Au ores using a 7-cm diameter laboratory scale flotation column, a 20-cm diameter pilot scale column, and for some, a 250-cm industrial flotation column, was compared.

Scale-up considerations were tested using the 20-cm pilot scale column in parallel with the 250-cm plant column at the Harbour Lights gold mine plant. The effects of froth height, superficial air rate, superficial feed rate, feed grade, column diameter and other column variables were studied.

Includes Supplementary Report 141, relating to the study of various column design and operating parameters on entrainment in the froth, which was not included in Report 125.

Keywords: flotation, columns, sulphides, scale-up modelling, operating variables