Column Flotation: Some Plant Experience and Model Development

Abstract Flotation columns represent an Important addition to flotation practice. Columns have largi replaced conventional machines in molybdenum cleaning in Canada. Columns have been successfully tested on bulk copper/molybdenum cleaning at Gibraltar Mines Ltd. A rougher cleaner/scavenger cleaner combination was shown to be capable of giving higher grades and recoveries compared with three stages of conventional cleaning. A control strategy for the columns has been developed. An interaction between gas holdup and wash water rate has been exploited to control performance.