What Are Gold Flotation Steps?

( 3D model of one 1,000tpd flotation plant in Laos )

Gold flotation is a beneficiation method which uses the different physical and chemical properties of the surface of gold minerals to separate minerals. It is more suitable for the treatment of sulfide gold-bearing quartz vein ore and polymetallic gold-bearing sulfide ore with fine gold particles and high floatability. Gold flotation process including 5 important steps, this article will introduce the steps to you.

Before gold flotation, the gold ore must be ground into a certain particle size with a mill, so that the gold and gangue minerals can basically be separated into monomers. For coarse-grained monomer minerals, it must also be ground to a particle size smaller than the upper limit of mineral floatation. For example, the upper limit of flotation particle size of sulfide gold ore is 0.25~0.3mm, the upper limit of flotation particle size of gold-bearing pyrite is 0.20mm, and the upper limit of single gold flotation particle size is 0.25mm. More posts about mill.

( Ball mill for gold flotation plant )

The mill overflow pulp is fed into the stirring tank for stirring and pulping.

To meet the requirements of the large proportion of gold particles, increase the buoyancy of the pulp, and reduce the loss of the coarser single gold in the tailings, gold-bearing ores are usually flotated with relatively high pulp concentrations. However, when dealing with gold-bearing ore with finer embedded particle size, it is still suitable to use a relatively dilute slurry concentration.

In the flotation process, different separating operations have large differences in flotation concentration. The common flotation concentration is 25~45%, and some can be as high as 50% or more. For sweeping operation, due to the mixing of the washing water of the foam tank, the concentration generally decreases slightly, mostly 20~40%; For concentration operation, lower flotation concentration is adopted, which is 15~25%.

( Agitation tank for gold flotation plant )

Flotation reagent can adjust the mineral surface properties and improve the flotation speed and selectivity. In the process of dosing, it is necessary to determine the chemical system, that is, to determine the type, quantity, dosing location, dosing sequence and preparation method of the pharmaceutical.

The types of reagents used in flotation are determined according to the results of ore selectivity research.

The amount of flotation reagent added is determined through experimental research and field experience. During production, the operator adjusts the dosage of the reagent in time according to the flotation situation.

The addition location of the chemical is determined according to the dissolution rate and action time of the drug;

Considering the role of various agents, the order of addition of agents is generally: first add pH adjuster, then add inhibitor or activator, collector, and finally add foaming agent.

Before the flotation, the pulp and the agent are fully attached and mineralized together, which is the fundamental guarantee for the flotation to obtain a higher index. Therefore, the slurry after dosing continues to be stirred by the agitation tank, so that the flotation chemical can be dissolved faster, and the interaction between the reagent and the mineral surface can be ensured.

Flotation process is carried out in flotation machines. Under the action of mechanical stirring and aeration of the flotation machine, the ore particles are in a suspended state, which increases the collision chance of the ore particles and the bubbles and disperses the air, so that the ore particles are quickly carried by the bubbles and float to the liquid surface foam layer, and finally by the flotation The machine scraper scrapes the foam tank to realize the separation of gold minerals. This is working priciple of different models of flotation machines.

( Flotation machine for gold flotation plant )

The gold concentrate and tailings are dewatered by thickeners, filters and filter presses.

( Thickner for gold flotation plant )

This is gold flotation process. The grade of gold concentrate can reach 40~50g/t, and even reach 160g/t after flotation. For gold mines with complex properties, gravity separation, flotation and cyanidation can also be used in combination, which can also get good recivery rate.

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