Mineralogical Prediction on the Flotation Behavior of Copper and Molybdenum Minerals from Blended Cu–Mo Ores in Seawater

The copper ore in Chilean porphyry deposits is often associated with molybdenum minerals. This copper–molybdenum (Cu–Mo) sulfide generally mined from various locations the mining site; thus, mineral composition, oxidation degree, particle size, and grade vary. Therefore, operation, it common to blend ores spots then process them using flotation. In this study, floatability of five types Cu–Mo blending these seawater was investigated. degree evaluated, correlation between flotation recovery presented. Furthermore, kinetics each were calculated based on a mineralogical analysis liberation (MLA). A prediction model proposed estimate behavior blended as function ore. results show that decreased increasing oxidization degree. addition, can be predicted via rate equation, maximum (Rmax) coefficient (k) determined before blending. It found Rmax k respective minerals slightly oxidation. Moreover, varied greatly depending species. total strongly affected by fraction upon