Investigating the Amenability of a PGM-Bearing Ore to Coarse Particle Flotation

Coarse particle flotation (CPF) is one of the strategies employed to reduce energy consumption in mineral-processing circuits. HydrofloatTM (HF) technology has been successfully applied coarse industrial minerals and sulphide middlings. However, this not yet platinum group (PGMs)’ flotation. In paper, amenability CPF was investigated. Extensive testwork conducted optimise hydrodynamic parameters, i.e., bed level, air water flow rates, PGM feed using Hydrofloat. Mineralogical analysis selected products understand reasons for recovery loss valuable minerals. The results showed that HF separator could upgrade ore with particles as +106 − 300 µm. For optimised test, a reasonable Pt, Pd Au 84% achieved at grade 10 g/t 16.5% mass pull, despite being poorly liberated (4.5 vol% fully liberated). demonstrated high efficiencies across 150–300 microns size fraction. therefore able substantially increase upper can be treated by operations. It found an height, rate resulted maximum. A further parameters decline recovery. Hydrofloat outperformed conventional Denver machine following fractions: 150 µm, +150 212 +212 250 µm +250 practical implications findings on modification existing circuits design novel flowsheets processing ores less are discussed.