Abstract:
Porphyry copper mine from Yunnan is refractory both in grinding and separation. HydroFloat separation method was employed for coarse particle flotation based on the analysis of ore properties. The target minerals are clopyrite and molybdenite, and gangue minerals mainly quartz and sodium/calcium feldspar. After screening, bulk flotation was conducted with HydroFloat to cast away coarse gangue minerals, which subsequently reduce the energy consumption of further grinding. HydroFloat flotation induces air bubbles based on the traditional fluidized beds, where the suspended coarse particles rise along with bubbles under compound force field. With a tailing disposal rate of 48.80%, the grade of copper increased from 0.39% to 0.73% with a recovery of 95.84%, and the grade of molybdenum increased from 0.009% to 0.016% with a recovery of 92.05%.