Abstract:
Described herein is a method for the recovery of two major valuable lithium minerals (amblygonite and spodumene), a cesium mineral (pollucite) and quartz. The method comprises a series of direct flotation processes combined with reverse flotation processes that were designed to recover these lithium and cesium concentrates.
Abstract:
A process for treating and dewatering tailings comprising fine clay minerals, fine rock-forming minerals and water is provided, comprising treating the tailings with a sufficient amount of a collector to modify the surface properties of both the fine clays and rock-forming minerals; subjecting the treated tailings to froth flotation to form a fine clays and rock-forming minerals froth layer; and recovering the froth layer and subjecting it to dewatering.
Abstract:
The present invention discloses mining collector compositions containing sodium metabisulfite and a thiocarbonate compound. Flotation processes for recovering molybdenum from a copper-molybdenum concentrate using the collector compositions also are disclosed.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to methods that can be used in the enrichment of metal sulfide ores in desired minerals in cases where the ores have sulfide-containing gangues. The method involves adding an oxidant to slurries prepared from the ores during, or immediately prior to froth flotation.
Abstract:
There is provided methods for separating a target material from a raw material by mixing the raw material with water to form a slurry, adding a collector compound to the slurry to modify a relative hydrophobicity of a surface of the target material, adding a facilitator compound to enhance the modification of the relative hydrophobicity of the surface, and forming a froth including a concentrate of the target material. Disclosed methods may also include adding a facilitator compound to a raw material slurry that has been treated with a collector compound and a reagent for neutralizing the collector compound.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to flotation of sulfidic copper-molybdenum- and gold-containing minerals. More specifically, the invention relates to sulfoxy reagent-assisted floatation for separating of sulfides of copper, molybdenum and gold from pyrite, marcasite, pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite, and other gangue minerals following aerating by an oxidizing gas and contacting by a sulfoxy reagent. To promote collection and flotation the feed mineral materials are preferably not contacted with an externally generated non-oxidizing gas to lower the dissolved molecular oxygen content prior to flotation.
Abstract:
The invention provides methods and compositions for improving a froth flotation type separation. The method uses a microemulsion to improve the effectiveness of a frother. The improvement allows for low dosages of frother to work as well as much greater amounts of non-microemulsified frother.
Abstract:
A clarification system may comprise a channel having an inlet and an outlet, a length, bottom, and a height sufficient to contain a liquid having a depth. The clarification system may include one or more gas injectors disposed within the channel, configured to inject gas bubbles into a suspension flowing in the channel. In some embodiments, at least one gas injector injects gas bubbles having average or median size that does not exceed 100 microns in diameter. Some gas injectors inject bubbles having mean size below 50 microns. Some gas injectors inject gas via the precipitation of gas bubbles from a supersaturated liquid including a dissolved gas. Certain embodiments may be configured to form a quiet zone, typically near the top of the flowing suspension, in which turbulence may be minimized or substantially eliminated. Certain systems include a plurality of gas injectors disposed at different lengths along the channel.
Abstract:
The invention provides a flotation process which includes the steps of providing a flotation mixture containing mineral values to be recovered and adding an activator to the flotation mixture, which activator may comprise a metal complex formed by a coordinating metal ion and a ligand. A particular aspect of the invention relates to the use of the metal complexes as activators. These complexes are stable over a wide pH range, which is not the case with other inorganic compounds of which the applicant is aware, such as zinc sulphate, copper sulphate and manganese sulphate. The ligand may have the structure R—(X)n, in which X may be selected from amines, carboxyls, phosphonates and sulphonates; R may be an organic group; and n may be 1 to 4. The ligand may be selected to be a multidentate ligand. The invention extends to an activator for use in a flotation process.
Abstract:
Wastewater treatment systems and processes for removal of solids, pathogens, nitrogen, and phosphorus from municipal and agricultural wastewater include the simultaneous separation of solids and phosphorus from wastewater and industrial effluents.