Flotation of Au-Ag

Beard Pyrite Recovery

(From Bacís Mining, Mexico)

Presented by :
Afifa Nur Alya 19/453219/PTK/13165
Anisa Maulidia 19/453223/PTK/13169
Outline

1. Material characterization
2. Principle of flotation
3. Flotation agent
4. Flow sheet
5. Factor affecting
6. Flotation cell
Material characterization

Telluride Metals Auriferous Sulfide

Pyrite

Properties :
Pyrite
Composition Iron sulfide (FeS₂)
Minor Ag, Au, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn
dan Zn
Spesific gravity 5.0 to 5.2
Principle of flotation
What is flotation ?
Flotation is a physic-chemical
separation process that utilises the
difference in surface properties of the
valuable minerals and the unwanted
gangue mineral
The material recovery process by
flotation comprises by three
mechanisms:
1. Selective attachment to air bubbles
2. Entrainment in the water which
passes through the froth
3. Physical entrapment between
particles in the froth attached to air
bubbles
Flotation Agents
Collector
• Kalium amyl xanthate (CH3(CH2)4OCS2K) : 4 g/t

Frother
• Methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC) : 10 g/t

Modifying Agents (not added)

• Activator
• Depressant
• Dispersant
• pH regulator
Collector
Frother

Increasing number of
bubbles

Increasing Surface
Area of Bubble

Decreasing size of bubbles

Making froth stable Decreasing surface Tension

Frother

>> Bubble
>> Surface Tension
<< Surface Area
<< Stable

*Critical Coalescence Concentration

Chemical component on flotation
Block diagram

Rougher I

Scavanger I
Rougher II Rougher III

Scavanger II
 Process Flow Diagram
4 g/t Xanthate (collector)
14 g/t MIBC (frother)
Grinding
Conditioner
30°C Receiving tank Final tails
Screening 30°C
1 atm 30°C
30°C 1 atm Scavanger 2
1 atm
Ore 1 atm 52⁰ C
30% solid
Mineral pH 10

Rougher 1
52⁰ C
pH 10 Scavanger 1
52⁰ C
Middle tails
pH 10
to mills

14 g/t MIBC (frother)

Rougher 2
10 g/t MIBC (frother) 52⁰ C
10 g/t MIBC (frother) pH 10 14 g/t MIBC (frother)
4 g/t xanthate (collector)

Rougher 3
52⁰ C
pH 10

Filter drum
91% solid Thickener
40% solid

Final Concentrate
Factor that affect the flotation
and operating conditions
Temperature 52°C
pH 10
Particel diameter size 75 µm
Density of pulp 30% solid
Reagent dosage • Xanthate : 4 g/t
• MIBC : 10 g/t
Conditioning time Xanthate : 5 min
Flotation time 15 min
Flotation cells
Mechanical flotation cell Coloumn flotation cell

+
 Flotation cells
Type of flotation cell : mechanical-coloumn cell flotation

to thickening

Impeller speed : 180 rpm

Pulp + xanthate
4g/t
Air pressure : 1 kg/cm2

MIBC 10 g/t
References
• Eshraghi, H., Rastad, E., & Motevali, K. (2010). Auriferous sulfides from
Hired gold mineralization, South Birjand, Lut block, Iran. Journal of
Mineralogical and Petrological Sciences, 105(4), 167–174.
https://doi.org/10.2465/jmps.070414b
• Fuerstenau, M. C. (2009) Froth Flotation: A Century of Innovation. 
• Iqbal, T. M. (2015) Flotasi Mineral Sulfida. at:
https://www.academia.edu/19510962/Laporan_Modul_8_Flotasi_Miner
al_Sulfida
• Kouhestani, H., Rastad, E., & Omran, N. R. (2008). Auriferous Sulfides
from the Chah-Bagh Gold Occurrence , Muteh Mining District . 19(2),
125–136.
• Parga, J. R., Valenzuela, J. L. dan Aguayo, S. (2009) “Bacís flotation cell
for gold- And silver-beard pyrite recovery,” Minerals and Metallurgical
Processing, 26(1), hal. 25–29. doi: 10.1007/bf03403414.
THANK YOU