FLS has formally launched the coarseAIR™ Flotation Cell for coarse particle recovery in base/precious metals and industrial mineral operations, it says delivering key operational and ESG benefits.
Firstly FLS cites increased plant throughput. “The coarseAIR Flotation Cell reduces milling requirements, effectively increasing throughput in the grinding circuit without significant capital investment.” Next it improves overall recovery. By capturing coarse particles typically lost in conventional flotation circuits, the coarseAIR Flotation Cell raises overall plant recovery rates.
Third it reduces energy consumption. A coarser grind results in significant energy savings per tonne of ROM material processed, reducing operating costs and potentially lowering the plant’s carbon footprint. Finally, it has the potential to enhance tailings and water management. Coarse tailings are easier to dewater, allowing more water to be recovered, reducing water loss, and improving tailings stability.
“In the face of depleting ore grades, mining companies face the prospect of processing larger volumes of material just to maintain – let alone increase – production levels,” said Lance Christodoulou, Global Product Director – REFLUX™ Technologies. “By improving the efficiency of recovery, the coarseAIR Flotation Cell offers important support for mining companies as they seek to meet the demand for metals and minerals economically and sustainably.”
Based on the design of the REFLUX™ Classifier, the coarseAIR cell comprises a low-turbulence, high-density aerated fluidised bed, reducing the probability that coarse mineral particles will travel to the tails. Inclined lamella channels effectively separate ore from gangue by leveraging the boycott effect.
The coarseAIR Flotation Cell captures particles up to 850 µm in sulphide and >1 mm in industrial minerals. FLS says it is ideal for rougher applications to process a coarse ball mill cyclone overflow product. It can also reprocess tailings streams to scavenge valuable coarse particles lost in conventional flotation processes.
The coarseAIR Flotation Cell’s small footprint allows easy integration into existing mineral processing operations. Modular accessory equipment has been specifically designed to facilitate fast and straightforward implementation. No moving internal parts means simpler operation, reduced energy consumption, and lower maintenance requirements than conventional flotation cells.
“We are pleased to add the coarseAIR Flotation Cell to our line of REFLUX flotation technologies,” concluded Christodoulou. “These technologies, which include the REFLUX Classifier® (RC™), GradePro™ Classifier, and REFLUX Flotation Cell (RFC™), are integral to our MissionZero Mine flowsheets of the future, supporting our target to provide zero-emissions mining by 2030 through enhanced ore recovery rates, reduced energy use, and lower water consumption.”
Sizes are offered from the pilot cA-100 unit (100 denoting the diameter in millimetres) then increasing diameters in the commerical units including the cA-850, cA-1450, cA-1750, cA-2000, cA-2350 and cA-3000.
