This item had to be cut from our November article on flotation (currently going through production). MinAssist has launched its Flotation Health Check, the latest in its suite of off-the-shelf process mineralogy studies that are designed to make it quick, simple and cost effective for the busy plant metallurgist to undertake a circuit health check, and benefit from possible improved recovery, lower operational costs or reduced risk. The texture of particles within a cell play a pivotal role in both mineral recovery and the grade in the flotation concentrate. Theoretical curves can be generated based on particle mineralogy and texture to indicate the maximum grade-recovery possible for a given feed ore.

Comparing this ‘theoretical’ curve to actual grade recovery will provide insight in to the efficiency of the flotation circuit. Inevitably the ‘actual’ curve will plot below the ‘theoretical’; the question is how far below and can that gap be reduced? During day-to-day plant operation, deviation of the actual grade/recovery curve from this theoretical curve can be considered to be the result of either a change in the feed texture and mineralogy, or less than optimal operating conditions. A comprehensive understanding of the controls on this will feed decision-making, help identify potential circuit optimisation and reduce operational risk: the MinAssist Flotation Health Check utilises the theoretical grade recovery curve and process mineralogy to help do this.