The copper ore contains 0.80% copper, with chalcopyrite and pyrite as the main metallic minerals and quartz and chlorite as the primary gangue minerals. The processing flowsheet combines crushing, grinding, classification, and multi-stage flotation to produce copper concentrate.
The flotation circuit uses different machine types for roughing, scavenging, and cleaning:
Roughing: XCF/KYF flotation machines recover copper-bearing minerals from the ground ore.
Two-stage scavenging: XCF/KYF flotation machines help recover additional copper minerals remaining after roughing.
Two-stage cleaning: BF flotation machines upgrade the rougher concentrate to improve copper concentrate grade.
This arrangement combines recovery-focused and grade-focused separation stages to suit the ore characteristics.
The ore is crushed to a final particle size of -12 mm and ground to approximately 68.4% passing 200 mesh before flotation. Lime is used as a regulator, together with a specialized collector, to support copper mineral separation.
The flotation circuit consists of one roughing stage, two scavenging stages, and two cleaning stages.
| Parameter | Reported value |
|---|---|
| Feed copper grade | 0.80% |
| Grinding fineness | 68.4% passing 200 mesh |
| Copper concentrate grade | 20.00% |
| Copper recovery | 90.00% |
For low-grade copper ores, flotation circuit design must balance mineral recovery and concentrate quality. Roughing and scavenging focus on recovering copper-bearing minerals, while cleaning stages improve concentrate grade.
Selecting suitable flotation machines for each stage is therefore an important consideration when developing a copper ore processing flowsheet.