Clariant, a world leader in speciality chemicals solutions the mining industry, participated in the 8th International Flotation Conference (Flotation ’17). The conference took place from November 13 to 16 at the Vineyard Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa. Clariant Metallurgist for Sub-Sahara Africa Mining Solutions, Linda Mahlangu, presented the research paper: A Revıew of Phosphoric Acid Esters for the Flotation of Oxidised Copper Minerals. The paper featured a research study on phosphoric acid esters as potential alternatives to the sulphidiser-xanthate method currently used by most operations to recover oxide copper. In addition to the presentation, technical experts and business leaders from Clariant Mining Solutions were on site to showcase Clariant’s contribution to froth flotation and mineral processing.

Low-grade oxide copper mineral flotation dates back roughly 70 years. Over the years, using fatty acids to concentrate copper oxides lost popularity, with most operations preferring the controlled potential sulphidisation (CPS) method. In her presentation, Mahlangu demonstrated how Clariant Mining Solutions embarked on a campaign to review phosphoric acid esters as alternative collectors. Phosphoric acid esters are used in iron, titanium, and tin oxide flotation. The specialised collectors are also effective in selectively floating carbonates in the reverse flotation of phosphates, and since malachite is a carbonate mineral, in theory, these collectors will effectively recover copper oxides. Additionally, Mahlangu discussed the flotation performance obtained with three such collectors highlighted within the paper.

Clariant Mining Solutions says it is the only supplier in the mining industry to offer customised chemical solutions for the end-to-end mining process, including leading technology in froth flotation chemistry and explosive emulsifiers. “Clariant’s in-depth technical expertise has over 50 years of proven mining experience concentrating on specific ore applications such as iron ore, phosphate, potash, copper and other sulphide ores, calcite, silica sands and many other industrial minerals, as well as explosive emulsifiers for mining customers worldwide.