Flash Flotation - Outotec

Output Australia | December 2010 | Page 6Is Flash Flotation right for me?Flash Flotation technology has successfully been applied to the processing of many minerals. WithOutotec’s SkimAir ® , for example, there have been significant successes in applications such as gold,platinum group metals, copper, nickel, lead and silver. So, how do you know if your process willbenefit from Flash Flotation? Firstly, you need to perform laboratory flotation tests. With Outotec’sspecially designed test procedure, if the laboratory float shows high recoveries for the valuablemineral (40% to 80%) with low overall mass yields (less than 5%) then Flash Flotation will most likelybe suitable. Secondly, a good understanding of the ore mineralogy in the cyclone underflow is also anecessity. Lastly, if required, pilot-scale units can be used. Outotec’s pilot-scale units can treatbetween 250 kg/hr and 3 tph of solids. The results can then be modelled using computer simulationsoftware, such as Outotec’s HSC Sim, from which full-scale performance can be predicted.The results speak for themselves..There have been over 200 SkimAir ® units installed in operations world-wide. Some recent casestudies are as follows:Flash flotation – Gold applicationFlash flotation – Gold application

Output Australia | December 2010 | Page 7SummaryFlash flotation - Copper/gold applicationFlash Flotation is not new. The Flash Flotation process is highly complex, so an experienced supplierwith a proven track record can make all the difference. It is an exact science to optimally designFlash Flotation cells to handle such coarse particles with high solids densities, yet still keep themrunning with high availabilities. However for a minimal investment, the performance improvementscan be staggering.____________________________________________________________________________________________Dr Rob Coleman is currently Technology Leader – Flotation for Outotec Pty Ltd in Australia. He has aChemical Engineering degree and a Doctorate in Minerals Processing. Rob has over 15 yearsexperience in the operation, modelling and optimisation of flotation circuits.If you would like more information, click here to contactrob.coleman@outotec.com