Flotation reagents are not an off-the-shelf product. They need to be carefully selected taking into account factors such as coal particle size and flotation equipment, which means the assistance of a reputable and experienced company such as MBE Minerals, official southern African distributor of EKOF Flotation of Germany. Johannes Kottmann, Managing Director of MBE Minerals, says that the special scope for Ekofol locally is because the mining industry is becoming more sophisticated in terms of selecting flotation reagents for specific applications.
Significantly, Ekofol which is a combination collector-frothing reagent achieved an 8% higher recovery rate in laboratory and on-site testing in South Africa than local reagents. Kottmann says that in Germany coal is extracted from depths of up to 1000 to 1200 metres below surface and, for this reason flotation reagents are highly developed to optimise beneficiation and reduce production costs. “The emphasis in this market is maximum recovery without losing selectivity and Ekofol is used extensively in all German coal mines.”
The main advantage when using Ekofol flotation reagents is higher recovery rates which translates into higher quantities of saleable product for coal mines. Ekofol is also 80% biodegradable, meaning added environmental benefits.
Kottmann says that during the sanctions era mining houses developed their own proprietary flotation cells and as a result the local flotation reagent market was traditionally dominated by a single player. “MBE Minerals, through our association with EKOF, is able to offer a holistic solution encompassing both flotation equipment and reagents. It is the only company in the world able to offer such a package,” he says.
The association with EKOF strengthens and complements MBE Minerals’ product offering which includes the Pneuflot® pneumatic flotation cell. EKOF has made steady inroads into such markets as China, India, Russia and Chile, and is now looking at consolidating its presence in the South African market.
Looking at the EKOF product range for coal beneficiation, Kottmann explains that Ekofol 440 is recommended for coals that can be floated normally. In addition to good collective characteristics, this product also exhibits a high degree of selectivity. For coals that can be floated more easily, the more economical Ekofol 452 and Ekofol 452G will produce good results.
For extremely fine-grain pulps and coal compounds that do not lend themselves well to flotation, Ekofol 440 and Ekofol 452 are well-suited. All these products can be mixed with gas oil, kerosene or tar-based oils (creosote), depending on the specific application.
The optimal combination of the kind of reagent and its quantity has to be determined in the laboratory in order to ensure satisfactory performance in the field. EKOF Germany undertakes intensive work with the flotation of various coal types and minerals to determine the best operational parameters.