EA041781B1 - FLOTATION DEVICE, ITS APPLICATION, INSTALLATION AND METHOD - Google Patents

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to a flotation apparatus and its use, a flotation apparatus and a flotation method for separating valuable metal-containing ore particles from ore particles suspended in pulp.

The essence of the invention

The device, made in accordance with the present invention, is characterized by the features presented in paragraph 1 of the claims.

The use of a flotation device made in accordance with the present invention is characterized by the features presented in paragraph 52 of the claims.

The flotation plant according to the present invention is characterized by the features set forth in claim 55 of the claims.

The flotation process according to the present invention is characterized by the features set forth in claim 66 of the claims.

A flotation device for processing mineral ore particles suspended in the pulp is proposed. The device contains flotation chambers for separating the pulp into a lower product and an upper product. Separation is carried out using flotation gas. The device comprises a primary flotation line containing at least two primary flotation cells connected in series, each subsequent primary flotation cell being configured to receive bottom product from the previous primary flotation cell. The device also contains the first secondary flotation line, containing the secondary flotation cell, which is in fluid communication with at least one first primary flotation cell and is configured to obtain a primary top product from said at least one first primary flotation cell to recover the first concentrate. In addition, downstream of the first secondary flotation line, the apparatus comprises an additional secondary flotation line, wherein the additional secondary flotation line comprises a secondary flotation cell in fluid communication with the additional primary flotation cell and configured to obtain a primary overhead product from the additional primary flotation cell for recovery. first concentrate. The device is characterized in that the bottom product from the secondary flotation line can flow into the last chamber from the specified at least one primary flotation cell, from which the primary upper product was obtained, or into the primary flotation cell downstream of the last chamber from the specified at least one primary flotation cell from which the primary overhead product was obtained.

The use of a flotation device according to the present invention is intended to be used in the recovery of mineral ore particles containing a valuable mineral.

The flotation plant according to the invention comprises a flotation device according to the present invention.

A flotation method for treating mineral ore particles suspended in a pulp comprises treating the pulp in at least two primary flotation stages, sequentially to separate the pulp into a primary bottom product and a primary overhead product, wherein the primary bottom product from the primary flotation stage is sent to a subsequent additional stage. primary flotation. After the primary flotation stage, at least one first primary overhead product is sent to at least one first secondary flotation stage to recover the first concentrate. After the additional primary flotation stage, at least one additional primary overhead product is sent to at least one additional secondary flotation stage to recover the first concentrate. The flotation process is characterized in that the bottom product from the secondary flotation stage is sent to primary flotation at the last of at least one primary flotation stage from which the primary overhead product was obtained, or to a downstream primary flotation stage.

With the invention described herein, the goal of pulp treatment can be shifted to effectively separating the non-value fraction from the ore particles and recovering the maximum amount of valuable particles. In other words, ore particles containing very little or even minimal amounts of valuable material can be recovered for further processing/treatment. This can be especially useful for low grade ores, i.e. ores with very little valuable material, such as from poor mineral deposits that may previously have been considered economically too insignificant to justify their use. When the bottoms product from the secondary flotation cells is returned downstream to the primary flotation line in the direction of the slurry flow by gravity or by means of a low head pump, energy consumption can be reduced while still achieving very efficient recovery of the valuable mineral. It is possible to achieve a high grade for a portion of the pulp stream and at the same time obtain a high recovery for the entire pulp stream passing through the flotation device. By directing the underflow from the secondary flotation line downstream, energy-intensive pumping can be avoided. Thus, the re-treatment of the pulp stream in a number of adjacent flotation cells ensures efficient recovery of minerals without any significant increase in energy consumption, since the pulp streams do not need to be pumped in energy-intensive ways, but are controlled using the natural hydrostatic head of the descending pulp streams inside the flotation device and flotation plant. The slurry is returned for further processing to a location in the flotation device where a similar slurry is already being processed.

Thus, at the beginning or at the front end of the flotation device, high-grade ore particles containing a valuable mineral can be recovered, while at the end of the flotation device, as many ore particles as possible containing even a small amount of valuable mineral can be recovered. The grade of the top product is increased through the use of secondary flotation lines, while the primary flotation line in particular ensures efficient complete recovery of ore particles containing the valuable mineral. The flotation device makes it possible to increase the grade without the use of high-energy pumping, which provides significant advantages over the current state of the art.

The proposed flotation device, its application, the flotation plant and the flotation method provide a technical result that makes it possible to universally extract particles of various sizes, as well as to effectively extract ore particles containing a valuable mineral from low-grade ore raw materials with a relatively low initial amount of a valuable mineral. The advantages provided by the design of the flotation line allow the design parameters of the flotation line to be fine-tuned to suit the desired valuable material in each plant.

By treating the pulp in accordance with the present invention, as defined in this specification, the recovery of valuable particulate material can be increased. The initial material recovery may be lower, but the material (ie pulp) is also thus easily prepared for further processing, which may include, for example, regrinding and/or refining.

Arranging the flotation lines so that at least some or all of the flotation cells (ie, flotation cell bottoms) are at the same level increases construction speed, simplifies planning and construction, and thus reduces costs. This so-called uniplanarity of the flotation cells or flotation lines can provide benefits by reducing investment costs, as less excavation and less space is required to build the plant. This can be especially advantageous when the size of the flotation cell is increased. This again may be desirable in terms of optimizing the throughput of the process while reducing the capital cost of the investment. In the case where the flotation cells are arranged in a uniplanar manner, the flow of pulp from the flotation cell to the subsequent flotation cell can be achieved by pumping, for example, using low head pumps.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the flotation lines may also be staggered so that at least some of the flotation cells (i.e., flotation cell bottoms) in either the primary flotation line or the secondary flotation line are located at different levels: for example , the bottom of the first priming cell may be located above the bottom of the next additional priming cell and/or above the bottom of the first secondary flotation cell into which the overhead product from the first priming cell is directed. Thus, the pulp surface level of at least some of the flotation cells following the first primary flotation cells is lower, thereby creating a step between any two subsequent flotation cells directly fluidly connected to each other. The step created in this way makes it possible to achieve a hydrostatic head or a hydrostatic pressure difference (pressure gradient) between two successive flotation cells, whereby a slurry flow from one cell to another can be created by gravity without any separate pumps. The pressure gradient forces the slurry flow to the tailings outlet or flotation line outlets. This may reduce the need for additional pumping. In addition, pumping power requirements can be reduced as the flow of material is directed downward in the direction of gravity due to the difference in the level of the slurry surface. This can even be applied to embodiments where the pulp surface levels of adjacent flotation cells in the flotation line are at the same level. Reducing the need for energy-intensive pumping results in savings in energy consumption, as well as simplification of the flotation process and reduced building space requirements.

By directing said at least one first primary overhead product directly to at least one first secondary flotation stage to recover the first concentrate, it is meant that between the primary flotation stage and the secondary flotation stage, the process does not include a grinding stage. By eliminating the grinding step, the hydrostatic head of the pulp flow between any two successive stages is not lost, and only gravity can be used to move the pulp flow. Thus, the first primary top product can be separated from the additional lower quality primary top product.

The first primary overhead product can be floated separately from the additional primary overhead product, which increases the recovery of ore particles containing the valuable mineral.

In this description, the following definitions are used with respect to flotation. Flotation includes phenomena related to the relative buoyancy of objects. Flotation is the process of separating hydrophobic materials from hydrophilic materials by adding a flotation gas such as air to the process. Flotation may be based on natural hydrophobic/hydrophilic differences, or on the basis of hydrophobic/hydrophilic differences resulting from the addition of a surfactant or chemical collector. The gas can be added to the feed to be floated (slurry or slurry) in several different ways.

In fact, flotation is aimed at extracting a concentrate from ore particles containing a valuable mineral. By "concentrate" is meant herein the portion of the pulp recovered in the overflow or in the underflow withdrawn from the flotation cell. A valuable mineral is any mineral, metal or other material that has a commercial value.

Flotation includes phenomena related to the relative buoyancy of objects. The term flotation includes all flotation methods. The flotation may be, for example, froth flotation, dissolved air flotation (DAF) or induced gas flotation. Froth flotation is the process of separating hydrophobic materials from hydrophilic materials by adding a gas such as air to the process. Froth flotation may be based on natural hydrophilic/hydrophobic differences or on the basis of hydrophilic/hydrophobic differences arising from the addition of a surfactant or chemical collector. The gas can be added to the feed to be floated (slurry or slurry) in several different ways.

A flotation device is herein understood to mean an assembly containing a plurality of at least two flotation blocks or two flotation cells that are in fluid communication with each other to provide either gravity or pumpable slurry flow between the flotation cells to form a flotation line. The device is designed for processing mineral ore particles suspended in the pulp by flotation. Thus, valuable metal-containing ore particles are recovered from the ore particles suspended in the pulp. The slurry is fed through the inlet to the first flotation cell of the flotation line to initiate the flotation process. The flotation device may be part of a larger flotation unit containing one or more flotation devices. Therefore, a number of different pre- and post-treatment devices may be operatively connected to the components of the flotation unit, as will be known to those skilled in the art.

By flotation line in this document is meant a part of a flotation device in which several flotation cells are located in fluid connection with each other, so that the bottom product of each previous flotation cell is sent to the subsequent flotation cell in the form of feed up to the last flotation cell of the flotation line, from which bottom product is sent out of the line as tailings or effluent.

The flotation chambers in the flotation device are fluidly connected to each other. The flow connection can be achieved by piping, such as pipes or tubes, of various lengths, the length of the piping being dependent on the overall physical design of the flotation device.

Alternatively, the flotation cells may be located in direct connection with each other. By direct cell connection is meant herein an arrangement in which the outer walls of any two subsequent flotation cells are connected to each other such that the outlet of the first flotation cell can be connected to the inlet of the subsequent flotation cell without any separate piping. Direct contact reduces the need for piping between two adjacent flotation cells. Thus, it reduces the need for components in the construction of the flotation line, speeding up the construction process. In addition, it can reduce deposit formation and simplify flotation line maintenance.

The flow connection between the flotation cells and the flotation blocks may be direct, i.e. two flotation cells (belonging to the same or different flotation lines) may be directly adjacent to each other. Alternatively, the two flotation cells may be spaced apart and connected through a pipe, channel, or other means known in the art. The flow connection between the flotation cells may contain various control mechanisms.

By adjacent, adjacent or adjacent flotation cell is meant herein a flotation cell that follows immediately or after any one flotation cell, either downstream or upstream, or in the primary flotation line, in the secondary flotation line, or the relationship between the flotation cell of the primary flotation line and the flotation cell of the secondary flotation line, into which the overhead product from the flotation cell of the primary flotation line is directed.

Under the flotation cell in this document is meant a tank or vessel in which the stage of the flotation process is performed. The flotation cell is typically cylindrical in shape, the shape being determined by the outer wall or outer walls. Flotation cells usually have a circular cross section. As known to the person skilled in the art, flotation cells can also have a polygonal, for example rectangular, square, triangular, hexagonal or pentagonal or other radially symmetrical cross section. The number of flotation cells may vary depending on the specific flotation scheme and/or operation for processing a particular type and/or grade of ore. In connection with the flotation process carried out in accordance with the present invention, the flotation step in this document refers to a flotation process occurring in a single flotation cell.

The flotation cell may be a froth cell, such as a mechanically agitated or reservoir cell, a column flotation cell, a Jameson cell, or a twin flotation cell. In a dual flotation cell, the cell contains at least two separate tanks: a first mechanically agitated pressure tank with an impeller and a flotation gas inlet, and a second tank with a tailings outlet and an overflow froth outlet configured to produce an agitated slurry from the first tank.

The flotation cell may also be an overflow flotation cell operating with a constant pulp overhead product. In the overflow flotation cell, the slurry is treated by introducing bubbles of flotation gas into the slurry and creating a continuous upward flow of slurry in the vertical direction of the first flotation cell. At least a portion of the ore containing the valuable metal adheres to the gas bubbles and rises up due to buoyancy, at least a particles of ore containing valuable metal rises up with a continuous upward flow of pulp. The ore particles containing valuable metals are recovered by creating a continuous upward flow of pulp from at least one overflow flotation cell in the form of a pulp overhead. Because the overflow cell operates with virtually no froth depth or froth layer, in fact on the surface of the slurry, no foam zone is formed at the top of the flotation cell. The foam in the chamber may be intermittent. The result of this is that more valuable mineral particles can be entrained in the concentrate stream and the overall recovery of valuable material can be increased.

Depending on its type, the flotation cell may contain an impeller to agitate the pulp to keep it in suspension. By impeller in this document is meant any suitable means for mixing the pulp in the flotation cell. The impeller may be a mechanical agitator. The mechanical agitator may comprise a rotor-stator with a motor and a drive shaft, the rotor-stator structure being located at the bottom of the flotation cell. The chamber may have auxiliary impellers located higher in the vertical direction of the chamber in order to provide a sufficiently strong and continuous upward flow of the slurry.

Under the top product in this document means that part of the pulp, which is collected in the overflow trough of the flotation cell and, thus, leaves the flotation cell. The top product may contain foam, foam and pulp, or in some cases only or most of the pulp. In some embodiments, the overhead product may be a product stream containing valuable material particles collected from the slurry. In other embodiments, the overhead product may be an effluent. This is the case when the flotation process, flotation unit and/or process is used with reverse flotation.

Under the bottom product in this document refers to the fraction or part of the pulp, which does not float to the surface of the pulp during flotation. In some embodiments, the underflow may be an effluent leaving the flotation cell through an outlet, which is typically located at the bottom of the flotation cell. Eventually, bottoms from the last flotation cell of a flotation line or flotation plant may leave the entire device as tailings or final waste from the flotation plant. In some embodiments, the underflow may be a product stream containing valuable mineral particles. This is the case when the flotation apparatus, plant and/or process is used with reverse flotation.

Reverse flotation is used herein to refer to the reverse flotation process commonly used to recover iron. In this case, the flotation process is aimed at collecting an insignificant part of the pulp flow into the overhead product. The overhead of the iron backflotation process usually contains silicates, while the valuable iron-bearing mineral particles are collected.

- 4 041781 in the lower product. Reverse flotation can also be used for industrial minerals i.e. geological minerals mined for their commercial value, which are not fuels, and metal sources such as bentonite, silica, gypsum and talc.

Downstream herein refers to a direction parallel to the pulp flow (forward flow, indicated by arrows in the drawings), and upstream herein refers to a direction opposite or against the pulp flow.

Concentrate in this document refers to the floating part or fraction of the pulp of ore particles containing a valuable mineral. The first concentrate may contain ore particles containing one valuable mineral, while the second concentrate may contain ore particles containing another valuable mineral. Alternatively, the first, second distinguishing terms may refer to two ore particle concentrates comprising the same valuable mineral, but two distinctly different particle size distributions.

Under the main processing and/or subsequent processing and/or additional processing is meant, for example, grinding, attrition, separation, screening, classification, fractionation, stripping or cleaning, which are all common processes known to a person skilled in the art. Further processing may also include at least one of the following: an additional cell secondary flotation, which may be a traditional cell cleaning flotation, recovery cell, rougher unit or control flotation cell.

In one embodiment of the flotation unit, the flotation cell of the first secondary flotation line and/or the flotation cell of the additional secondary flotation line are in direct fluid communication with the first primary flotation cell from which they are configured to receive an overhead product.

By direct flow communication is meant herein that any two adjacent or adjacent or adjoining flotation cells are connected in such a way that there are no additional process steps, such as grinding, carried out between any two flotation cells or flotation steps. This should not be confused with the above definition of direct camera connection.

In some cases of the conventional froth flotation process, the first flotation cell overhead may be initially sent to a regrind or other additional processing step before it is sent to the secondary flotation cell.

In the flotation device, plant and method which are made in accordance with the present invention, such an additional processing step can be omitted, while the primary cell, from which the overhead product is directed to the secondary flotation cell, and this secondary flotation cell can, thus , be in direct flow communication with each other. A similar direct flow communication may also be provided between any two other flotation cells of the flotation device.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the underflow from the secondary flotation line may flow into a primary flotation cell, after which there are at least two more primary flotation cells in the primary flotation line.

With this type of flotation, a high degree of recovery of ore particles containing a valuable mineral still present in the pulp can be achieved.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the primary flotation line comprises at least three primary flotation cells, or 3 to 10 flotation cells, or 4 to 7 flotation cells.

The presence of a sufficient number of primary flotation cells allows you to get a high-grade part of the concentrate and at the same time provide a high degree of recovery of the required valuable mineral in the entire primary flotation line, thereby preventing any valuable mineral from entering the tailings stream. The maximum possible number of ore particles containing a valuable mineral can be buoyant, while minimizing the required pumping energy to achieve this goal.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the first secondary flotation line comprises 1 to 4 secondary flotation cells or 1 to 2 secondary flotation cells or one secondary flotation cell.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the additional secondary flotation line comprises 1 to 4 secondary flotation cells, or 1 to 3 secondary flotation cells, or 1 to 2 secondary flotation cells.

Even a small number of secondary flotation cells may be sufficient to clean the top product from the primary flotation cells to a reasonable level, i.e. to increase the content of the concentrate recovered from the primary flotation line. The bottom product, even from a small number of secondary flotation cells, has a large enough volume so that it can

- 5 041781 be sent for additional processing to the primary flotation line to further increase the recovery.

In one embodiment of the flotation apparatus, the number of reflotation chambers in series in the additional reflotation line is the same as or greater than the number of reflotation chambers in series in the first reflotation line.

The overhead from the primary cell or cells sent to the first secondary line may be of higher quality (i.e., higher grade) than the upper product from the later primary cells sent to the secondary secondary line. This additional secondary flotation line may therefore require a larger volume for efficient pulp handling. In addition, overtreatment in the first secondary flotation line can lead to increased pumping requirements, resulting in an undesirable increase in energy consumption. The effect of this embodiment is that with minimal pumping to inject pulp streams, at least a portion of the concentrate can be recovered in very high grade.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the additional secondary flotation line is configured to produce primary overhead product from 1-3 primary flotation cells, or from 1 and 2 primary flotation cells.

Thus, the top products from the various primary flotation cells are not mixed to a very high degree. Each top product can then be processed in the best possible way to provide sufficient processing, with only a small number of secondary flotation cells acting as recovery cells required to produce a high grade concentrate.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the first flotation cell of the first secondary flotation line has a larger volume than the first flotation cell of the additional secondary flotation line.

The first cells in their overhead may have a higher grade concentrate than the later cells in the primary line. The overheads from these later primary cells can then be processed in smaller flotation cells, thus reducing flotation time. This type of design can provide a higher grade concentrate also from an additional secondary flotation line.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the first primary flotation chamber has a volume of at least 100 m ³ , or at least 500 m ³ , or at least 1000 m ³ .

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the second primary flotation chamber has a volume of at least 100 m ³ , or at least 300 m ³ , or at least 500 m ³ .

The use of flotation cells with a volume size of at least 400 m ³ increases the likelihood of collisions between gas bubbles created in the flotation cells, for example, using a rotor, and particles containing valuable mineral, thereby improving the recovery of valuable mineral, as well as the overall efficiency of the flotation device. . Larger flotation cells have higher selectivity as more collisions between gas bubbles and ore particles can occur due to the longer residence time of the slurry in the flotation cell. Therefore, most ore particles containing a valuable mineral can float. In addition, the settling of floating ore particles may be higher, which means that ore particles containing very little valuable mineral fall back to the bottom of the flotation cell. Thus, the grade of overhead and/or concentrate from larger flotation cells can be higher. These types of primary cells act as a sort of rougher cell, providing high grades, while the later flotation cells in the primary flotation line operate somewhat similarly to traditional cleaner flotation cells.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the volume of the second primary cell is equal to or less than the volume of the first primary cell is the volume of the first primary cell.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the flotation cell of the first secondary flotation line, in fluid communication with the primary flotation cell, has a volume of 100 to 1000 m ³ or a volume of 400 to 1000 m ³ .

The use of flotation cells with a volume size of at least 400 m ³ increases the likelihood of collisions between gas bubbles created in the flotation cells, for example, using a rotor, and particles containing valuable mineral, thereby improving the recovery of valuable mineral, as well as the overall efficiency of the flotation device. . As mentioned above, larger flotation cells have higher selectivity as more collisions between gas bubbles and ore particles can occur due to the longer residence time of the slurry in the flotation cell. Therefore, most ore particles containing a valuable mineral can float up. In addition, the settling of floating ore particles may be higher, which means that ore particles containing very little valuable mineral fall back to the bottom of the flotation cell. Thus, the grade of overhead and/or concentrate from larger flotation cells can be higher.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the flotation cell of the additional secondary flotation line in fluid communication with the primary flotation cell has a volume of 100 to 1000 m ³ or a volume of 300 to 1000 m ³ .

The use of flotation cells with a volume size of at least 300 m ³ increases the likelihood of collisions between gas bubbles created in the flotation cells, for example by means of a rotor, and particles containing a valuable mineral, thereby improving the recovery of a valuable mineral, as well as the overall efficiency of the flotation device. .

In a plant that has a secondary flotation line that cleans the primary flotation cell overflow, and in which the bottom product from that secondary flotation line is sent back to a later primary flotation cell downstream, it is important to obtain a higher flotation cell overhead product. grade than to obtain a high degree of extraction of ore particles containing a valuable mineral. This is because the bottom product from the secondary flotation line can be recycled to the primary flotation line, where any remaining ore particles containing the valuable mineral are then recovered. While some valuable material is sent back to the priming line, the energy required to pump the underflow back to the priming line is not critical, as the later priming cells ensure recovery is complete. Therefore, very large flotation cells up to 1000 m ³ can be used. The use of flotation cells larger than 1000 m ³ is not preferred because it is difficult to achieve effective mixing in such a large cell. Without effective mixing, ore particles containing a relatively small amount of valuable mineral fall back to the bottom of the flotation cell, which negatively affects the recovery rate.

When using a flotation device made in accordance with the above embodiments, it may be possible to create or recover at least some of the concentrate with a very high content.

When the first flotation cells are relatively large in volume, large subsequent flotation cells may not be necessary, but rather, the (primary or secondary) flotation cells downstream of the first cell or flotation cells may be smaller and therefore , more efficient. In flotation processes for some minerals, a significant portion of the ore particles containing a valuable mineral with a high grade can easily float. In this case, downstream in the primary flotation line, it is possible to have smaller volume flotation cells and still achieve a high recovery.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the volume of the flotation cell of the first secondary flotation line in fluid communication with at least one primary flotation cell is from 2 to 50% of the total volume of said at least one primary flotation cell, or from 3 to 30% of the total the volume of said at least one primary flotation cell.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the volume of the flotation cell of the additional secondary flotation line in fluid communication with at least one primary flotation cell is from 2 to 50% of the total volume of said at least one primary flotation cell, or from 3 to 30% of the total volume of said at least one primary flotation chamber.

In such embodiments, a portion of the concentrate is produced in high grade. When the flotation cells of the secondary flotation line or lines are smaller, the residence time of the ore particles inside the flotation cell is shorter, i.e. less time to float the required concentrate.

Thus, the concentrate obtained in this way has a higher grade.

The construction of the flotation cell or cells of the secondary flotation lines in the direction of pulp flow, smaller(s) than the size of the flotation cell or cells in the primary flotation unit, can provide an increase in efficiency. The effect can be particularly pronounced if the flotation cell or flotation cells in the secondary flotation line are at least 10% smaller than those in the primary flotation line. For example, it is possible that said at least one flotation cell of the secondary flotation line is at least 20% or 30% smaller than said at least one flotation cell of the primary flotation line.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the slurry flow is moved by gravity, or by one or more low head pumps, or by gravity and one or more low head pumps.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the slurry flow into and/or out of the secondary flotation cell is moved by gravity, or by one or more

- 7 041781 low head pumps, or by gravity and with the help of one or more low head pumps.

In yet another embodiment of the flotation device, the slurry flow into and/or out of the two secondary flotation chambers is moved by gravity, or by one or more low head pumps, or by gravity and one or more low head pumps. pressure.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the primary overflow from the primary cell is moved by gravity, or the primary overhead from at least two primary cells is moved by gravity.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the overflow from the secondary flotation cell is moved by gravity, or the overhead from at least two secondary flotation cells is moved by gravity.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the top product from each secondary flotation chamber is moved by gravity.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the underflow from the primary cell is moved by gravity, or the underflow from at least two primary cells is moved by gravity.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the bottom product from the secondary flotation cell is moved by gravity, or the bottom product from at least two secondary flotation cells is moved by gravity.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the underflow from each primary flotation cell is moved by gravity.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the bottoms product from each secondary flotation chamber is moved by gravity.

Due to the fact that the slurry flow moves under the influence of gravity, savings in energy consumption can be achieved, since no additional pumping is required to pump the slurry downstream.

By avoiding energy-intensive pumping in the flotation device, significant energy savings can be achieved while ensuring efficient recovery of valuable mineral material from low-grade ores, i.e. containing too little valuable mineral to start the process. It may be possible to obtain some of the high grade concentrate while still having a good overall recovery of the required valuable mineral. Only a small amount of the valuable mineral can end up in the tailings stream.

The present invention is directed to improving the mineral recovery process while reducing the energy consumption of the process. This is made possible by the use of internal pulp flows in the process, i.e. by moving the pulp stream for re-treatment to the downstream flotation cells. By arranging the flotation process in this way, it is possible to direct the slurry flow by gravity, or only by pumping at low power, or by a suitable combination of the two. For example, the slurry flow can be controlled by a low head or gravity pump where the bottoms from the secondary flotation line can flow into the last priming cell from which the primary overhead product was obtained, or into the priming cell downstream. from the last of said at least one primary flotation cell from which the primary overhead product was obtained.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the primary overhead product from the primary flotation cell is moved by a low head pump, or the primary overhead product from at least two primary flotation cells is moved by a low head pump.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the overflow from the secondary flotation cell is moved by a low head pump, or the overhead from at least two secondary flotation cells is moved by a low head pump.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the overhead product from each secondary flotation cell is moved by a low head pump.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the bottoms product from the primary flotation cell is moved by a low head pump, or the bottoms product from at least two primary flotation cells is moved by a low head pump.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the bottoms product from the secondary flotation cell is moved by a low head pump, or the bottoms product from at least two secondary flotation cells is moved by a low head pump.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the underflow from each primary flotation cell is moved by a low head pump.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the underflow from each secondary flotation cell is moved by a low head pump.

A low head pump is used herein to mean any type of pump that generates low pressure to move a stream of slurry downstream. As a rule, a low head pump produces a maximum head of up to 1.0 m, i.e. can be used to move slurry flow between two adjacent flotation cells with a difference in slurry surface level of less than 30 cm. A low head pump can usually have an impeller to create axial flow.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the bottom product between two primary cells moves under the action of gravity, the top product from the two primary cells can flow to different secondary flotation lines, and the level of the pulp surface in these primary cells is different.

The surface level of the pulp in this document means the height of the surface of the pulp inside the flotation tank, measured from the bottom of the flotation cell to the overflow edge of the flotation cell. In fact, the height of the pulp is equal to the height of the overflow edge of the flotation cell, measured from the bottom of the flotation cell to the overflow edge of the flotation cell. For example, any two successive flotation cells may be staggered in the flotation line so that the pulp surface level of such flotation cells is different (i.e. the pulp surface level of the first of such flotation cells is higher than the pulp surface level of the second of such flotation cells) . This difference in pulp surface levels is defined herein as the step between any two successive flotation cells. The step or difference in the level of the pulp surface is the difference that allows the pulp flow to move under the influence of gravity or gravity, creating a hydrostatic head between two successive flotation cells.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the top product from at least one primary flotation cell, into which the bottom product from the additional secondary flotation cell is directed, can flow into a subsequent processing stage.

Post-treatment as used herein refers to any suitable process step, such as a grinding step or a chemical addition step, or any other process step commonly used in connection with a flotation device and known to those skilled in the art.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the combined overhead product from said at least one primary flotation cell, to which the bottom product is directed from an additional secondary flotation cell, and from at least one primary flotation cell located downstream of said at least one the flotation cell to which the underflow from the additional secondary flotation cell is directed can flow into an additional processing stage.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the additional processing step includes a grinding step.

The grinding step may comprise at least one mill, which may be any suitable mill known to those skilled in the art.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the additional processing stage comprises an additional secondary flotation cell in fluid communication with at least one primary flotation cell and configured to obtain a primary overhead product from at least one primary flotation cell. The bottom product from the additional secondary float cell may flow into the primary float cell upstream of said at least one primary cell from which the primary upper product was obtained, or with the possibility of being discharged from the flotation device.

In yet another embodiment of the flotation apparatus, the additional secondary flotation cell is configured to produce primary overhead product from at least two primary flotation cells or from at least three primary flotation cells.

In yet another embodiment of the flotation device, an additional secondary flotation cell is located downstream of said at least one first secondary flotation line and said at least one additional secondary flotation line.

An additional secondary flotation cell can act as a recovery cell. In fact, this type of device can prevent valuable mineral-containing ore particles from entering the tailings stream, further ensuring good recovery of the desired concentrate.

By using an optional secondary flotation cell, it is possible to ensure that all of the available valuable mineral is recovered from the primary flotation line slurry stream into an overhead product or concentrate. The loss of ore particles containing the valuable mineral can be minimized, further improving the recovery efficiency from the flotation device and the flotation plant. Similarly, when using a flotation device in reverse flotation, as many valuable ore particles as possible can be recovered from the primary flotation line in the bottom product. The bottom product from the additional secondary flotation cell may also be sent to a regrinding circuit or stage to ensure the recovery of valuable mineral-containing ore particles from this slurry stream.

By allowing bottoms to pass from the secondary secondary cell to the upstream primary cell, the flotation plant can be made even more efficient as the bottoms product is returned back to the head of the primary flotation line, thus ensuring that as much as possible is recovered. valuable material. In addition, the need for pumping can be simultaneously reduced as the bottoms from the secondary flotation lines become efficiently recycled. After this operation, with an additional secondary flotation chamber acting as a reduction chamber, a significant portion of the ore particles containing the valuable mineral may actually float. From the primary flotation line, where the high grade concentrate has already been removed, sufficient primary overhead can still be collected to effectively remove the desired concentrate. In addition, the bottom product from the additional secondary flotation cell can be sent to an additional processing stage. The bottom product may be particularly suitable for an additional grinding step.

An additional secondary flotation cell in this document refers to a flotation cell from which the top product is directed from the flotation device, for example, directly to an additional processing stage, such as a grinding stage or a frothing stage, and not back to the downstream flotation cells of the primary flotation line , as is done in connection with secondary flotation cells. In other words, the overhead from the additional secondary cell is not sent to the primary cell from which the upper product for that cleaner was obtained, nor to the primary cell downstream. The bottoms product from the additional secondary cell may be sent back upstream to the first cell of the primary cell, or to the primary cell upstream of the primary cell from which the overhead was obtained, to the additional secondary cell, or from flotation device, either as a tailings stream sent for further processing outside the flotation device, for example, regrinding, or as a feed to another flotation device to recover additional concentrate.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the bottom product from the second flotation cell of the secondary flotation line may flow into the primary flotation cell downstream of the primary flotation cell from which the primary overhead product was obtained.

In a further embodiment of the flotation device, there is one primary cell located between the last primary cell from which the primary overhead product was obtained from the secondary flotation line and the primary cell into which the bottom product from the second secondary cell can flow.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the bottoms product from the first flotation cell of the secondary reflotation line may flow into the primary cell downstream of the last primary cell from which the primary overhead product was produced to the secondary flotation line.

In fact, any pumping required to control the flow of the slurry can be minimized while the slurry is still going through several stages of processing in the flotation device. In addition, pulp fractions with similar or identical properties can be combined for further processing. The primary bottom product combined with the secondary bottom product can have very similar properties, such as the number of ore particles still containing a valuable mineral, or ore particles with the same size distribution. Thus, the operation of the flotation process can be optimized.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the underflow from each secondary flotation cell in direct fluid communication with the primary flotation cell may flow into a downstream primary flotation cell.

Because there are no steps in this type of flotation line, it is possible to maximize the use of gravity to move the slurry flow.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the primary overhead product from the primary flotation cell may flow into two parallel secondary flotation cells.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the flotation device comprises two primary flotation lines, and the first secondary flotation line is configured to produce top product from the first primary flotation cells of both primary flotation lines.

In yet another embodiment of the flotation device, the additional secondary flotation line is configured to produce top product from the second primary flotation cells of both primary flotation lines.

In such devices it may be possible to have a larger volume of pulp inlet flow to the secondary flotation line. Therefore, it may be advantageous to use larger volume flotation cells also in the secondary flotation line, the advantages mainly related to efficiency already mentioned earlier in this description.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the primary flotation cells and/or the secondary flotation cells comprise froth flotation cells.

In one embodiment of the flotation apparatus, the flotation cell, where the slurry is separated into an overhead product and an underflow product, is fed with flotation gas.

In an additional embodiment of the flotation device, the flotation gas is fed into a preparatory flotation chamber in which the impeller is installed.

By preparatory flotation cell is meant herein a flotation tank in which the slurry can be prepared for flotation, typically by introducing flotation gas and mechanical agitation, before the slurry is directed to a second tank where the actual flotation process takes place. The preparatory flotation cell may, for example, be the first tank of the dual flotation cell described earlier in this document.

In one embodiment of the flotation device, the mineral ore particles contain Cu or Zn or Fe or pyrite or a metal sulfide such as gold sulfide.

One embodiment for the use of the flotation device according to the invention is in particular for recovering mineral ore particles containing a valuable mineral from low-grade ore.

One embodiment of the flotation apparatus according to the invention is for recovering Cu containing mineral ore particles from low grade ore.

In one embodiment of the flotation plant, the plant comprises at least two or at least three flotation devices made in accordance with the invention.

In one embodiment of the flotation plant, the plant comprises at least one flotation device for recovering a first concentrate and at least one flotation device for recovering a second concentrate.

In one embodiment of the flotation plant, the flotation cells of the primary flotation line of said at least one flotation device for recovering the first concentrate and the flotation cells of the primary flotation line of said at least one flotation device for recovering the second concentrate are arranged in series.

In one embodiment of the flotation plant, the plant further comprises a device for further processing the mineral ore particles suspended in the slurry so that the second concentrate differs from the first concentrate.

In one embodiment of the flotation plant, the device for additional processing of mineral ore particles suspended in the pulp includes a grinding stage located between the first flotation device and the second flotation device.

In this case, the second concentrate recovered from the second flotation device may have the same mineralogical composition as the first concentrate recovered from the first flotation device, but the particle size distribution in the pulp sent to the second flotation device after the grinding step may be different. .

In one embodiment of the flotation plant, the plant for post-treatment of mineral ore particles suspended in the slurry includes a device for adding flotation agents located between the first flotation device and the second flotation device.

In this case, the second concentrate recovered from the second flotation device may have a different mineralogical composition from the mineralogical composition of the first concentrate recovered from the first flotation device, with the use of the flotation chemicals used determined by the naturally required valuable mineral to be recovered by the second flotation device. .

In one embodiment of the flotation plant, the primary flotation line contains 10 primary flotation cells, while the top product from the last of the primary flotation cells can flow into the secondary flotation line containing an additional secondary flotation cell, while the bottom product from the additional secondary flotation cell can flow back in 1-4 first flotation cells of the primary flotation line.

In one embodiment of the flotation plant, the flotation device is designed to recover mineral ore particles containing Cu and/or Zn and/or pyrite and/or metal from a sulfide such as gold.

In one embodiment of the flotation plant, the flotation device is configured to recover Cu containing mineral ore particles from low grade ore.

For example, when extracting copper from low-grade ores derived from poor mineral ore deposits, the amount of copper can be as low as 0.1% of the mass of the input stream, i.e. the incoming pulp flow into the flotation device. A flotation device according to the invention can be very practical for recovering copper since copper is a so-called floating mineral. By separating copper-containing ore particles, it may be possible to obtain a relatively high grade from the first primary flotation cells without any additional pumping between the flotation cells.

Through the use of a flotation device according to the present invention, the recovery of such low amounts of a valuable mineral such as copper can be efficiently increased and even poor deposits are used economically. As known rich deposits have been exploited to an increasing degree, there is a perceived need to process even less favorable deposits that may previously have been left untreated due to the lack of suitable technology and processes to recover valuable material at very low levels in the ore.

In an additional embodiment of the flotation plant, the flotation device is designed to recover Fe by reverse flotation.

In reverse flotation, mineral ore particles containing unwanted material are removed from the slurry by allowing gas bubbles to adhere to these particles and remove them from the flotation cell in the upper product, while valuable mineral material containing ore particles is recovered in the lower product, inverting such in the manner of a conventional received flotation stream to an overhead product and an effluent flotation stream to an underflow product. As a rule, in iron reverse flotation, significant problems in the control of the flotation process can be caused by a large yield of worthless material, most often silicates. Some mineral ore particles containing valuable Fe inevitably end up in the top product (especially fine, light particles). By directing this overhead product to the secondary flotation line for re-treatment, at least some mineral ore particles containing Fe can be redirected to the bottom product of the secondary flotation line and thus recovered.

Similarly, slurry processing to recover industrial minerals such as bentonite, silica, gypsum or talc can be improved by using reverse flotation in the same manner as for Fe. In the recovery of industrial minerals, the purpose of flotation may be, for example, to remove dark particles in the effluent overflow and to recover white particles in the resulting underflow. In this kind of process, some of the lighter, finer white particles can get into the top product. These particles can be effectively removed using the invention, made in accordance with the present description.

In one embodiment of the flotation process, the pulp is subjected to at least three priming stages, or 3 to 10 priming stages, or 4 to 7 priming stages.

In one embodiment of the flotation process, at least one primary overhead product is sent to 1-4 first reflotation stages, or to 1 and 2 first reflotation stages, or to one first reflotation stage.

Under the stage of secondary flotation in this document refers to the flotation process occurring in the flotation cell of the line of secondary flotation.

In one embodiment of the flotation process, said at least one additional primary overhead product is sent to 1-4 second refloat stages, or to 1 and 2 second refloat stages, or to one second refloat stage.

In one embodiment of the flotation process, the slurry flow is directed from one flotation stage to a subsequent flotation stage by gravity or one or more low head pumps, or by gravity and one or more low head pumps.

In one embodiment of the flotation process, at least one primary overhead product is sent to at least one further processing stage.

In one embodiment of the flotation process, the post-treatment step includes a grinding step.

In one embodiment of the flotation process, said at least one post-treatment stage includes an additional secondary flotation stage. The bottom product from said at least one additional secondary flotation stage is sent to the primary flotation stage upstream of said at least one primary flotation stage from which the primary overhead product was obtained, or out of the flotation stages.

In one embodiment of the flotation process, the primary overhead product from at least two primary flotation stages is sent to an additional secondary flotation stage, or the primary overhead product from at least three primary flotation stages is sent to an additional secondary flotation stage.

In one embodiment of the flotation process, the underflow from the second secondary flotation stage is sent to a primary flotation stage downstream of the primary flotation stage from which the overflow was sent to the second secondary flotation stage.

- 12 041781

In one embodiment of the flotation process, the underflow from the first secondary flotation stage is sent to a primary flotation stage downstream of the last primary flotation stage from which the primary overhead product was sent to the first secondary flotation stage.

In one embodiment of the flotation process, the underflow from the second secondary flotation stage is sent to a primary flotation stage downstream of the last primary flotation stage from which the primary overhead product was sent to the second secondary flotation stage.

In one embodiment of the flotation process, the primary overhead from the primary flotation stage is sent to two parallel secondary flotation stages.

In one embodiment of the flotation process, froth flotation is used.

Brief description of the drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and which form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, help to explain the principles of the present invention. In the drawings of FIG. 1a and 1b illustrate flowcharts for embodiments of the invention;

fig. 1c is a simplified schematic perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1a;

fig. 1d and 1e are simplified views showing the placement of the flotation cells as viewed from the side of the secondary flotation cells shown in FIG. 1a or 1b;

fig. 2a illustrates a flowchart for an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 2b is a simplified schematic perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2a;

fig. 2c is a simplified view showing the relative vertical placement of the flotation cells as viewed from the side of the secondary flotation cells shown in FIG. 2a;

fig. 2d is a simplified view showing the relative position of the flotation cells when viewed against the flow direction of the primary flotation line shown in FIG. 2a;

fig. 3a illustrates a flowchart for an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 3b is a simplified schematic perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3a;

fig. 3c is a simplified view showing the relative vertical placement of the flotation cells as viewed from the side of the secondary flotation cells shown in FIG. 3a;

fig. 4a illustrates a flowchart for an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 4b is a simplified schematic perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4a;

fig. 4c is a simplified view showing the relative vertical placement of the flotation cells as viewed from the side of the secondary flotation cells shown in FIG. 4a;

fig. 5a illustrates a flowchart for an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 5b is a simplified schematic perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5a;

fig. 5c is a simplified view showing the relative vertical placement of the flotation cells as viewed from the side of the secondary flotation cells shown in FIG. 5a;

fig. 6a illustrates a flow chart for an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 6b is a simplified schematic perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6a;

fig. 6c is a simplified view showing the relative vertical placement of the flotation cells as viewed from the side of the secondary flotation cells shown in FIG. 6a;

fig. 7a illustrates a flowchart for an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 7b is a simplified schematic perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7a;

fig. 7c is a simplified view showing the relative vertical placement of the flotation cells as viewed from the side of the secondary flotation cells shown in FIG. 7a;

fig. 8a illustrates a flowchart for an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 8b is a simplified schematic perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8a;

fig. 8c is a simplified view showing the relative vertical placement of the flotation cells as viewed from the side of the flotation cells shown in FIG. 8a;

fig. 9a illustrates a flowchart for an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 9b is a simplified schematic perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9a;

fig. 9c is a simplified view showing the relative vertical placement of the flotation cells as viewed from the side of the secondary flotation cells shown in FIG. 9a;

fig. 10a illustrates a flowchart for an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 10b is a simplified schematic perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10a;

fig. 10c is a simplified view showing the relative vertical placement of the flotation cells as viewed from the side of the secondary flotation cells shown in FIG. 10a;

fig. 11a illustrates a flowchart for an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 11b is a simplified schematic perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 11a;

fig. 11c is a simplified view showing the relative vertical placement of the flotation cells as viewed from the side of the secondary flotation cells shown in FIG. 11a;

fig. 12 illustrates a block diagram for an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 13a illustrates a flowchart for an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 13b illustrates a flowchart for another embodiment of the invention;

fig. 14a illustrates a flowchart of another embodiment of a flotation plant in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 14b is a simplified view showing the relative vertical placement of the flotation cells as viewed from the side of the secondary flotation cells shown in FIG. 14a;

fig. 15 is a simplified schematic perspective view of a flotation tank.

Detailed description

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The following description discloses some embodiments in such detail that a person skilled in the art can use the apparatus, apparatus, and method based on the present description. Not all steps of the embodiments are discussed in detail, as many of the steps will be apparent to a person skilled in the art based on this description.

For the sake of simplicity, in the following illustrative embodiments, in the case of repeated components, the position numbers will be preserved.

The attached Figs. 1a-13c of the drawings illustrate the flotation device 1, and FIG. 14a, 14b of the drawings schematically illustrate a flotation unit 9. FIG. 15 shows the flotation cell in some detail. The figures of the drawings are not shown in proportions, while many elements of the flotation chamber, flotation device 1 and flotation device 9 are not shown for clarity. The direct direction of the pulp flow is shown in the drawings by arrows.

Although flotation is disclosed in the following examples with reference mainly to froth flotation, it should be noted that the principles according to the invention can be implemented regardless of the particular type of flotation, i.e. the flotation process may be any of the flotation methods known per se, such as froth flotation, dissolved air flotation or induced gas flotation.

The basic principle of operation of the flotation device 1 is shown in Fig. 1a-1e and FIGS. 2a-2d. When reading the following description, reference is generally made to these figures of the drawings, unless otherwise indicated.

To separate the pulp into bottom product 40 and top product 51a, the first flotation cell 110a of primary flotation line 10 receives a pulp stream, i.e. an incoming slurry stream 11 containing ore particles, water and, in some cases, flotation agents such as chemical collectors and flotation reagents not intended to be collectors. A typical flotation cell 110, 210, 300 is shown in FIG. 15. The flotation cell may include an impeller 78 in the form of a mechanical agitator, as shown in FIG. 15, or any other suitable impeller for accelerating collisions between flotation gas bubbles and ore particles. In one embodiment, flotation gas may be fed or introduced into a flotation cell where the slurry separates into an overhead product and an underflow product. In one embodiment, the flotation gas may be supplied to the part of the flotation cell where the impeller is installed, i. e. into the preparatory flotation cell preceding the flotation cell, in which the ore particles float and thus are separated

- 14 041781 for the upper product and the lower product.

In a flotation process using conventional flotation reagent flotation, a similar froth flotation process takes place: chemical collector molecules adhere by adsorption to surface areas on ore particles having a valuable mineral. The valuable mineral acts as an adsorbent while the chemical collector acts as an adsorbate. The molecules of the chemical collector on the surface of the ore particles form a film on the areas of the valuable mineral. The chemical collector molecules have a non-polar part and a polar part. The polar parts of the collector molecules are adsorbed on the surface areas of the ore particles that have valuable minerals. The non-polar parts are hydrophobic and therefore repel water. The repulsion causes the hydrophobic tails of the collector molecules to stick to the flotation gas bubbles. An example of a flotation gas is atmospheric air pumped into a flotation cell. A sufficient amount of adsorbed collector molecules on sufficiently large surface areas of the valuable mineral on the ore particle can cause the ore particle to be attached to the flotation gas bubble. It is also possible that the flotation process can be carried out without flotation agents. It is also possible to carry out the flotation process as reverse flotation. Further, most of the examples are disclosed in terms of conventional flotation, unless indicated that the examples specifically refer to reverse flotation. All of the above embodiments and examples can, however, be implemented in the back flotation process.

Ore particles attach or adhere to gas bubbles, forming gas bubble agglomerates of ore particles. These agglomerates rise to the surface of the flotation cells 110a, 110b, 210a, 210b at the very top of the cell, due to the buoyancy of the gas bubbles, as well as the continuous upward flow of pulp, which can be caused either by mechanical agitation or by feeding the pulp into the cell 110a, 110b, 210a, 210b.

Gas bubbles can form a layer of foam. The foam collected on the surface of the pulp in the flotation cell 110a, 110b, 210a, 210b, containing gas bubble agglomerates of ore particles, is discharged from the flotation cell 110a, 110b, 210a, 210b through the overflow edge 76 and into the trough 75. It is also possible that the flotation cells were used as so-called overflow flotation cells, in which a continuous coherent layer of foam is not formed on the surface of the pulp, but in fact the pulp containing ore particles with valuable minerals floating in the flotation cell is driven over the overflow edge 76.

From the surface of the slurry at the top of the primary flotation chamber 110a, 110b, ore particles containing the valuable mineral flow over the overflow edge 76 of the flotation chamber to be collected in the trough 75. product, while the ore particles containing the valuable mineral are recovered by the underproduct.

This pulp fraction is referred to as primary overhead product 51a, 51b. From the secondary flotation chamber 210a, 210b, the top product 50 is collected in a similar manner. By overflow edge 76 is herein meant the peripheral edge of the flotation cell 110a, 110b, 210a, 210b at the top of the cell, over which the frothy top product with valuable material particles flows into the chute 75.

The overhead product 50 from the secondary flotation lines 21, 22 is recovered as a first concentrate 81. The first ore particle concentrate 81 containing a valuable mineral is in the form of a fluid that is sent to additional flotation lines or stages in accordance with embodiments of the invention or for other additional processing in accordance with solutions known in the art.

From the area near the bottom 71 of the flotation cell, the primary flotation cell 110a is discharged as bottom product 40, rock or part of the pulp containing ore particles that do not rise to the surface of the pulp. The bottom product 40 is fed to the subsequent primary cell 110b, which receives the bottom product 40 as feed from the previous primary cell 110a. The slurry is processed in the subsequent primary cell 110b in a manner similar to the first primary cell 110a in a manner well known to the person skilled in the art.

Line 10 primary flotation may contain at least three cameras 110a-110c primary flotation (Fig. 3a-3c, 4a-4c). Alternatively, the primary flotation line 10 may comprise from 3 to 10 primary flotation cells 110 (FIGS. 5a-10c and 12 show embodiments in which there are five primary flotation cells 110a-110e, and FIGS. 11a-11c show a variant implementation with six chambers 110a-110f primary flotation). Alternatively, the primary flotation line 10 may comprise 4 to 7 primary flotation chambers 110a-110g. Embodiments of the invention, containing a different number of flotation chambers in line 10 primary flotation, are presented in the Examples section of this description.

These two primary flotation chambers 110a, 110b are connected in series. A flow connection can be implemented using conduit 500 (pipe or tube as shown in

- 15 041781 drawings), so that successive primary flotation chambers are located at some distance from each other. Alternatively, the two primary flotation cells 110a, 110b can be directly connected, so that no separate piping (not shown in the drawings) is required between the two flotation cells 110a, 110b. In embodiments of the invention in which the primary flotation line 10 comprises more than two primary cells 110a-110f, all adjacent or subsequent flotation cells of the flotation line may be located in fluid connection with conduits 500 located between the flotation cells to direct the underflow 40 from one flotation cell to a subsequent flotation cell. Alternatively, all flotation cells 110a-110f may be located in direct cell junction with adjacent flotation cells. Alternatively, some of the adjacent flotation cells 110a-110f may be located in direct connection with adjacent flotation cells, while other adjacent flotation cells may have conduit 500 for fluid connection. The location and design of the primary flotation line 10 may depend on the overall requirements of the process and on the physical location of the flotation device 1.

In addition, the flotation cell 210a of the first secondary flotation line 21 as well as the flotation cell 210b of the additional secondary flotation line 22 may be located in direct flow connection with the first primary flotation cell 110a, 110b, from which the secondary flotation cell 210a, 210b receives the top product 51a , 51b, i.e. there are no additional processing steps, such as a grinding step or a conditioning step, located between the primary flotation line 10 and the secondary flotation lines 21, 22.

From the last flotation cell 110b of the flotation line 10, the bottom product 40' (which may be a conventional flotation effluent or a reverse flotation product) exits the flotation device 1 as a tailings stream 83, which may be further processed by any suitable method known in the art. in this field of technology.

The first flotation chamber 110a of the primary flotation line 10 has a volume of at least 100 m ³ . Alternatively, the first primary flotation chamber 100a may have a volume of at least 500 m ³ . Alternatively, the first cell 110a primary flotation may have a volume equal to at least 1000 m ³ .

The volume of the second primary cell 110b or any one of the subsequent primary cells 110b-110f downstream of the first primary cell 100a is at least 100 m ³ . Alternatively, the second primary cell 110b or any of the subsequent primary cells 110b-110f downstream of the first primary cell 100a may have a volume of at least 300 m ³ . Alternatively, the second primary cell 110b or any of the subsequent primary cells 110b-110f downstream of the first primary cell 100a may have a volume of at least 500 m ³ .

In embodiments of the invention, the second primary cell 110b, some of the second primary cells 110b-110f, or all of the second primary cells 110b-110f may have a volume equal to that of the first primary cell 110a. In embodiments of the invention, the second primer 110b, some of the second primers 110b-110f, or all of the second primers 110b-110f may have a volume smaller than the volume of the first primer 110a (see FIGS. 10a-10c).

The primary overhead product 51a from the first primary flotation chamber 110a is sent to the first secondary flotation line 21. The first chamber (db line) secondary flotation contains at least one chamber 210a secondary flotation, which is directly flow-through communicated with at least one first chamber 110a primary flotation. The first secondary flotation cell 210a is configured to receive primary overhead product 51a from said at least one first primary flotation cell 110a as an input stream to recover a first concentrate 81 containing ore particles with a valuable mineral or minerals. The first refloat cell 210a, like any other refloat cell, operates on standard flotation principles as described earlier in this description. The overhead 50 from the first secondary flotation cell is collected as a first concentrate 81 which may then be sent to any suitable further processing step known in the art.

The first line 21 secondary flotation may contain more than one camera 210a secondary flotation. The top product 50 from the first reflotation cell 210a can be directed to an additional flotation cell in the first reflotation line 21 (this embodiment is not shown in the drawings), and from this additional flotation cell to the next one in the first reflotation line 21, if in The flow connection has more than two chambers to form a flotation line. The first line 21 secondary flotation may contain from 1 to 4 chambers of the secondary flotation, fluidly communicating with each other. In one embodiment, the first line 21 secondary flotation may contain two cells 210a secondary flotation. In another embodiment, the first reflotation line 21 may comprise three refloat chambers 210a (not shown in the drawings).

- 16 041781

The subsequent flotation cells 210a of the first secondary flotation line 21 may be located in direct connection of the cells with each other, or they may be located in fluid connection with each other via a pipeline or pipelines 500. In one embodiment, all adjacent flotation cells 210a of the first line 21 secondary flotation can be located in the direct connection of the chambers with each other. Alternatively, all adjacent refloat cells 210a may be located in flow connection via conduits 500. Alternatively, some of the adjacent refloat cells 210a may be located in direct connection of the cells, while others may be located so that there is a pipeline between them. 500, similar to what was described in connection with the line 10 primary flotation.

In one embodiment shown in FIG. 1a, the bottom product 42a from the first secondary flotation line 21 may flow into the primary flotation cell 110a from which the primary overhead product 51a was obtained. In one embodiment, bottoms 42a may flow into primary flotation cell 110b downstream of primary flotation cell 110a from which primary overhead 51a was obtained (see FIGS. 3a-3c). The bottom product 42a may flow directly into the priming chamber 110a or into a conduit 500 (not shown in the drawings) preceding the priming chamber 110a.

Bottom product 42a is to be understood as meaning bottom product 42a from the last of the flotation cells of the first secondary flotation line 21. Therefore, in this document, the bottom product 42a is meant interchangeably either the bottom product from one flotation cell 210a of the first secondary flotation line 21, or the bottom product from the entire first secondary flotation line 21, directed from the last of the flotation cells 210a of the first secondary flotation line 21 for additional processing in line 10 primary flotation.

The flotation cell 210a of the first secondary flotation line 21 in fluid communication with the primary flotation cell 110a has a volume of 100 to 1000 m ³ . Alternatively, the flotation cell 210a of the first secondary flotation line 21 in fluid communication with the primary flotation cell 110a has a volume of 400 to 1000 m ³ .

The volume of the flotation chamber 210a of the first secondary flotation line 21 in fluid communication with at least one primary flotation chamber 110a is between 2 and 50% of the total volume of said at least one primary flotation chamber 110a. Alternatively, the volume of the flotation cell 210a of the first secondary flotation line 21 in fluid communication with the at least one primary flotation cell 110a may be between 3% and 30% of the total volume of said at least one primary flotation cell 110a (see FIG. 2a). -2c).

Under the total volume in this document refers to the total volume of cells 110a primary flotation, from which the cell 110b secondary flotation receives the top product 51a. For example, additional cell 210a secondary flotation may receive the top product 51a from more than one flotation cell 110a line 10 primary flotation. In this case, the total volume is the total volume of the primary flotation chambers 110a.

At least one additional line 22 secondary flotation is located downstream of the first line 21 secondary flotation. Said additional secondary flotation line 22 comprises at least one secondary flotation chamber 210b directly in fluid connection with another flotation cell 110b of the primary flotation line 10. The flotation cell 210b of the additional secondary flotation line 22 is configured to obtain primary overhead product 51b from the additional primary flotation cell 110b. Additional secondary flotation cell 210b is configured to receive primary overhead product 51b from at least one additional primary flotation cell 110b as an input stream to recover a first concentrate 81 containing ore particles with a valuable mineral or minerals. The operation of the additional reflotation cell 210b, like any other reflotation cell, is based on standard flotation principles as described earlier in this description. The overhead product 50 from the secondary flotation cell 210b is collected as a first concentrate 81, which can then be sent to any suitable further processing step known in the art.

Additional line 22 secondary flotation may contain more than one camera 210b secondary flotation (see Fig. 9a, 9b). The top product 50 from the first flotation cell 210b of the additional reflotation line 22 may be directed to an additional refloat cell in the additional refloat line 22 and from this additional refloat cell to the next one in the additional refloat line 22 if there are more than two cells. flow-through connected to each other to form a flotation line.

Additional line 22 secondary flotation may contain from 1 to 4 cells of the secondary flotation, which are in fluid communication with each other. In one embodiment, the additional line 22 secondary flotation may contain two cells 210b secondary flotation. In another embodiment, the additional line 22 secondary flotation may contain three cameras 210b auto

- 17 041781 rich flotation (not shown in the drawings).

The number of flotation cells 210b in the additional secondary flotation line 22 may be equal to the number of flotation cells 210a in the first secondary flotation line 21. In some embodiments, the number of flotation cells 210b in the additional secondary flotation line 22 may be greater than the number of flotation cells 210a in the first secondary flotation line 21. For example, the first reflotation line 21 may have one refloat cell 210a, and the additional refloat line 22 may have two or three refloat cells 210b. In one embodiment, the first reflotation line 21 may have two refloat cells 210a, and the additional refloat line 22 may have four refloat cells 210b.

Flotation cell 210b additional line 22 secondary flotation, directly flow-through connected to the cell primary flotation, such as cell 110b primary flotation, has a volume of 100 to 1000 m ³ . Alternatively, the flotation cell 210b of the additional secondary flotation line 22 directly in fluid communication with the primary flotation cell, such as the primary flotation cell 110b, has a volume of 300 to 1000 m ³ .

The volume of the flotation chamber 210b of the additional secondary flotation line 22 in fluid communication with the at least one primary flotation chamber 110b is between 2 and 50% of the total volume of said at least one primary flotation chamber 110b. Alternatively, the volume of the flotation cell 210b of the additional secondary flotation line 22 in fluid communication with the at least one primary flotation cell 110b is between 3% and 30% of the total volume of said at least one primary flotation cell 110b (see FIG. 2a- 2d).

Under the total volume in this document refers to the total volume of cells 110 primary flotation, from which cell 110b secondary flotation receives the top product 51. For example, additional cell 210b of the secondary flotation may receive the top product 51b, 51c from the flotation cells 110b, 110c line 10 primary flotation ( see Fig. 11a-11c). In this case, the total volume is the total volume of the primary flotation chambers 110b, 110c.

Additional secondary flotation line 22 may be configured to produce primary overhead 51b-51d from 1-4 primary flotation cells 110b-110d. In one embodiment, additional secondary flotation line 22 may be configured to produce primary overhead 51b-51d from 1 and 2 primary flotation cells 110b-110c. An embodiment in which the secondary reflotation line 22 receives primary overhead 51b, 51c from two refloat cells 110b, 110c is shown in FIG. 11a and 11b. An embodiment in which additional refloat line 22 receives primary overhead 51b from one refloat cell 110b is shown, for example, in FIG. 1a and 1b.

In one embodiment, the first flotation cell 210a of the first secondary flotation line 21 has a larger volume than the first flotation cell 210b of the additional secondary flotation line 22.

Subsequent additional flotation cells 210b of additional secondary line 22 may be located in direct connection of the cells to each other, or they may be located in fluid connection with each other via conduit or conduits 500. In one embodiment, all of adjacent flotation cells 210b of additional line 22 secondary flotation can be located in the direct connection of the chambers with each other. Alternatively, all adjacent refloat cells 210b may be located in fluid connection through conduits 500. pipeline 500, similar to what was described in connection with the line 10 primary flotation and the first line 21 secondary flotation.

In one embodiment shown in FIG. 1a, the bottom product 42b from the additional secondary flotation line 22 may flow into the additional primary cell 110b from which the primary overhead product 51b was obtained. In one embodiment, underflow 42b may flow out of additional reflotation line 22 as a tailings stream 83 (FIG. 1b). In one embodiment, bottoms 42b may flow into primary flotation cell 110c downstream of primary flotation cell 110b from which primary overhead 51b was obtained (see FIGS. 3a-3c). The bottom product 42b may flow directly into the primary cell 110b, 110c or into the conduit 500 preceding the primary cell 110b, 110c.

The term bottoms 42b should be understood to mean bottoms 42b from the last of the flotation cells of the additional secondary flotation line 22. Therefore, in this document, the bottom product 42b is meant interchangeably either the bottom product from one additional flotation cell 210b of the additional secondary flotation line 22, or the bottom product from the entire first secondary flotation line 22, directed from the last of the flotation cells 210b of the additional secondary flotation line 22, for additional processing in line 10 primary flotation.

- 18 041781

The slurry flows (overhead, underflow) between the various flotation cells (primary flotation cells, secondary flotation cells) can be organized in any suitable way, depending on the requirements of the flotation process and the physical characteristics of the location where the flotation device is installed. The following are some examples of possible implementations. The list is not exhaustive, and it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that other combinations are possible within the scope of the invention. Various embodiments may be combined to provide suitable devices.

In one embodiment (FIGS. 9a, 9b), bottoms 42c from second flotation cell 210c of secondary flotation line 22 may flow into primary flotation cell 110d downstream of the primary flotation cell from which primary overhead 51a, 51b was obtained. In this case, also between the last flotation cell 110a from which the primary overhead product 51a was obtained and the primary flotation cell 110b into which the bottom product 42b from the second secondary flotation cell passes, one primary flotation cell 110 may be provided.

In one embodiment, bottoms 42b from first flotation cell 210b of additional secondary flotation line 22 may flow into priming cell 110c downstream of the last priming cell 110b from which primary overhead product 51b was produced in secondary flotation line 22 (see FIG. Fig. 9a).

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the underflow 42a, 42b from each secondary float cell 210a, 210b directly in fluid connection with the primary float cell 110a, 110b may flow into a downstream primary float line 10.

In one embodiment, the primary overhead product 51a from the primary flotation cell 110a may flow into two parallel secondary flotation cells 210a. This embodiment is not shown in the drawings. Such an embodiment can be easily implemented, for example in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3a by positioning the second refloat cell 210a near or adjacent to the first refloat cell 210a in the first refloat line 21 and directing the overhead product 51a through a collection line to two parallel refloat cells. The first concentrate 81 in the form of an overhead product 50 from both two parallel refloat cells 210a is separately collected and sent further, while the bottom products 42a from both two parallel refloat cells 210a can be collected and sent downstream back to the primary flotation line through collection conduit 510, similar to that shown, for example, in FIG. 5a.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the flotation device 1 may comprise two primary flotation lines 10a, 10b. The first secondary flotation line 21 may receive the top product 51a, 52a from the first priming chambers 110a, 120a of both primary flotation lines 10a, 10b (see FIG. 12). In one embodiment, there may also be an additional secondary flotation line 22 that can receive the top product 51b, 52b from the second priming cells 110b, 120b of both primary flotation lines 10a, 10b.

The slurry streams, in particular the bottoms 40, 42a-42d, can be moved by gravity. In this case, at least some of the flotation cells 110a-110f, 210a-210d may be staggered with respect to the level of the ground on which the flotation device is installed. Alternatively, the overflow edges 76 of the flotation cells, such as the primary cells 110a-110c, may be located at different heights (see FIG. 14b).

As can be seen in FIG. 1e, a step provided between any adjacent flotation cells results in a difference in pulp surface level 70 between the two adjacent flotation cells. In this case, the step is located between the two flotation cells of the primary flotation line 10. It is also possible for the step to be located between the flotation cell of the primary flotation line and said at least one flotation cell of the first flotation line or additional flotation line, or between adjacent flotation cells of the secondary flotation line. For a person skilled in the art it is obvious that the vertical arrangement of the various flotation cells can be best implemented, taking into account the requirements of the flotation process and the structural arrangement of the flotation device 1.

The gravitational flow of the slurry is achieved by a pressure gradient between any two flotation cells with different slurry surface levels, implemented by a step between the flotation cell bottoms 71, as can be seen in FIG. 1e, 3c, 4c, 5c, 6c, 7c, 8c, 9c, 10c and 11c, or with a step between the overflow edges, as can be seen in FIG. 14, and as explained earlier in the Summary of the Invention section of this specification.

Alternatively, the slurry streams may be moved by one or more low head pumps located between any two adjacent flotation cells, or in conduit or conduits 500, as can be seen in FIG. 1c, or directly between adjacent flotation cells, in the case where the adjacent cells are located in direct connection of the cells to each other. When the flotation cells or some of the flotation cells are located in the same plane, i.e. the bottoms of the cells 70 are at the same level relative to the ground level (see, for example, Fig. 1d, 2c, 2d), pumping may be required, and the level of the pulp surface of two adjacent flotation cells may be more or less the same, and then a pressure gradient is created, at least not sufficient to move the pulp flow under the action of gravity.

In one embodiment, the slurry flows can be moved by gravity between some of the adjacent flotation cells, and by low head pump or pumps 60 between some of the adjacent flotation cells in the flotation device 1.

In one embodiment, the flow of slurry into and/or out of the secondary flotation cell 210a may be moved by gravity. In one embodiment, the flow of pulp into and/or out of the two secondary flotation chambers 210a, 210b can be moved by gravity (see FIGS. 2b, 4b). In one embodiment, the flow of pulp into and/or out of the secondary flotation cell 210a may be moved by one or more low head pumps 60. In one embodiment, the flow of pulp into and/or out of the two secondary flotation chambers 210a, 210b may be moved by one or more low head pumps 60. In one embodiment, the flow of pulp into and/or out of the secondary flotation cell 210a may be moved by gravity and by one or more low head pumps 60 . In one embodiment, the flow of slurry into and/or out of the two secondary flotation chambers 210a, 210b may be moved by gravity and by two or more low head pumps 60 (see, for example, FIG. 2b).

In one embodiment, the primary overhead 51a from the primary flotation cell 110a may be moved by gravity. In one embodiment, the primary overhead product 51a, 51b from at least two primary flotation chambers 110a, 110b can be moved by gravity.

In one embodiment, the top product 50 from the secondary flotation cell 210a can be moved by gravity. In one embodiment, the top product 50 from the at least two reflotation cells 210a, 210b can be moved by gravity.

In one embodiment, the top product 50 from each refloat cell 210a, 210b can be moved by gravity.

In one embodiment, the bottom product 40 from the primary flotation cell 110a can be moved by gravity. In one embodiment, bottom product 40 from at least two primary flotation cells can be moved by gravity.

In one embodiment, the bottom product 42a from the secondary flotation cell 210a can be moved by gravity. In one embodiment, the bottom product 42a, 42b from at least two reflotation chambers 210a, 210b can be moved by gravity.

In one embodiment, bottoms 40 from each primary flotation cell 110a-110f may be moved by gravity.

In one embodiment, the underflow 42a, 42b from each reflotation cell 210a, 210b can be moved by gravity.

In one embodiment, the primary overhead 51a from the primary flotation cell 110a may be moved by a low head pump 60 . In one embodiment, primary overhead products 51a, 51b from at least two primary flotation chambers 110a, 110b may be moved by low head pumps 60.

In one embodiment, the top product 50 from the secondary flotation cell can be moved using a pump 60 with low head. In one embodiment, the top product 50 from the at least two refloat cells 210a, 210b can be moved by a low head pump 60.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the top product 50 from each reflotation chamber 210a, 210b can be moved by a low head pump 60.

In one embodiment, bottom product 40 from primary flotation cell 110a may be moved by low head pump 60. In one embodiment, bottom product 40 from at least two primary flotation chambers 110a, 110b may be moved by a low head pump 60.

In one embodiment, bottoms 42a from reflotation cell 210a may be moved by low head pump 60. In one embodiment of the invention, the underflow 42a, 42b from the at least two reflotation chambers 210a, 210b can be moved by a low head pump 60.

In one embodiment, bottom product 40 from each primary flotation cell 110a-110f may be moved by a low head pump 60.

In one embodiment, bottoms 42a, 42b from each reflotation chamber 210a, 210b may be moved by a low head pump 60.

- 20 041781

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the bottom product 40 between the two priming chambers 110a, 110b can be moved by gravity, the top product 51a, 51b from the two priming chambers 110a, 110b can flow to different secondary flotation lines 21, 22, with In this case, the level 70 of the pulp surface in the primary flotation chambers 110a, 110b can be different.

The flotation device 1 may also contain an additional stage 62 processing. The top product 51c from the at least one primary flotation chamber 110c to which the bottom product 42b from the additional secondary flotation line 22 is directed can be directed to flow into this additional processing stage 62. In one embodiment, the total overhead from said at least one primary flotation cell 110c to which the bottom product 42b is directed from an additional secondary flotation line 22, and from at least one primary flotation cell 110d downstream of said at least one chamber 110c primary flotation, which is directed to the bottom product 42b from the additional line 22 secondary flotation, can be sent to flow in additional stage 62 processing. In FIG. 14a and 14b show a flotation device 10b in which the overhead products 51c 51d, 51e from the primary flotation cells 110c, 110d, 110e described above are combined and sent to an additional processing stage 62 via a collection line 500. Said additional processing stage may include a grinding stage.

Said additional processing stage may comprise an additional secondary flotation chamber 300 in fluid communication with at least one primary flotation chamber 110b (see, for example, FIGS. 5a-5c). Additional secondary flotation chamber 300 is configured to produce primary overhead 51b from at least one primary flotation chamber 110b. The bottoms product 43 from the secondary refloat cell 300 may flow into the primary cell 110a located upstream of the last of said at least one primary cell 110b from which the primary overhead product 51b was obtained into the secondary secondary cell 300. In one embodiment, the bottom product 43 from the secondary refloat cell 300 may exit the flotation device 1 as a tailings stream 83, as shown, for example, in FIG. 10a-10c and 11a-11c and 14a, 14b.

In one embodiment, the additional secondary flotation cell 300 may be configured to produce primary overhead 51b, 51c from at least two primary flotation cells 110b, 110c (this embodiment is not shown in the drawings). In one embodiment, conventional cleaning cell 300 may be configured to produce primary overhead 51c, 51d, 51e from at least three primary flotation cells 110c, 110d, 110e (see FIGS. 7a-7c).

In one embodiment, the additional reflotation chamber 300 may be located downstream of said at least one first refloat line 21 and said at least one additional refloat line 22 (see, for example, FIGS. 7a, 8a , 9a, 10a).

The flotation device 1 described herein is particularly suitable, but not limited to, for use in the extraction of valuable minerals containing ores, where the mineral ore particles contain copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), pyrite or sulfide. metal such as gold sulfide. The flotation device is suitable for use in recovering mineral ore particles containing a valuable mineral, especially from low-grade ore. The flotation device is particularly suitable for recovering Cu-containing mineral ore particles from low-grade ore.

The flotation device 1, as detailed above, may be part of the flotation unit 9 (FIGS. 14a, 14b). The flotation unit 9 may comprise at least one flotation unit 1. In one embodiment, the flotation unit 9 comprises at least two flotation units 1. In one embodiment, the flotation unit comprises at least three flotation units 1.

The flotation unit 9 may include a flotation device 1 configured to recover Cu. Alternatively or additionally, the flotation plant 9 may comprise a flotation device 1 configured to recover Zn. Alternatively or additionally, the flotation plant 9 may comprise a flotation device 1 configured to recover pyrite. Alternatively or additionally, the flotation plant 9 may comprise a flotation device 1 configured to recover a metal, such as gold, from a sulfide.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the flotation plant 9 may include a flotation device 1 configured to recover Cu containing mineral ore particles from low grade ore.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the flotation plant 9 may comprise a flotation device 1 configured to recover Fe by reverse flotation.

- 21 041781

According to one embodiment of the invention, the flotation unit 9 may comprise at least one flotation device 1a for recovering the first concentrate 81 and at least one flotation device 1b for recovering the second concentrate 82. In one embodiment, the flotation cells 110 of the primary flotation line 10a of said at least one flotation device 1a to recover the first concentrate 81 and the flotation cells 120 of the primary flotation line 10b of said at least one flotation device 1b to recover the second concentrate 82 are arranged in series (see Fig. 14a, 14b).

The flotation unit 9 may further comprise an apparatus for post-treatment of the mineral ore particles suspended in the pulp such that the second concentrate 82 differs from the first concentrate 81. In one embodiment, the apparatus for the further treatment of the mineral ore particles may be a grinding stage 64 located between the flotation device 1a and a second flotation device 1b. In one embodiment, the mineral ore particle post-treatment device may be a flotation agent addition device 65 located between the first flotation device 1a and the second flotation device 1b.

In one embodiment, the flotation plant includes a primary flotation line containing 10 primary flotation cells. The overhead product from the last of the primary cells may flow into a secondary flotation line containing an additional secondary flotation cell. The bottoms product from the additional secondary cell can flow back to the first 1-4 cells of the primary flotation line.

In the flotation process for treating mineral ore particles suspended in pulp according to the present invention, the pulp is subjected to at least two primary flotation stages in succession to separate the pulp into a primary underflow 40 and a primary overflow 51a, 51b. Primary bottoms 40 from the primary flotation stage is sent to a subsequent additional primary flotation stage. After the primary flotation stage, at least one first primary overhead product 51a is sent directly to at least one first secondary flotation stage to recover the first concentrate 81. After the additional primary flotation stage, at least one additional primary overhead product 51b is sent directly to at least one additional secondary flotation stage to recover the first concentrate 81. The bottom product 42a, 42b from the secondary flotation stage is sent to primary flotation in the last of said at least one primary flotation stage from which the primary overhead product was obtained. In one embodiment, the underflow 42a, 42b from the secondary flotation stage may be sent to the downstream primary flotation stage.

The pulp may be subjected to at least three stages of primary flotation. In one embodiment, the pulp may be subjected to 3 to 10 primary flotation stages. In one embodiment, the pulp may be subjected to 4 to 7 stages of primary flotation.

Said at least one primary overhead product 51a may be sent to stages 1-4 of the first secondary flotation. In one embodiment, said at least one primary overhead product 51a may be sent to stages 1 and 2 of the first secondary flotation. In one embodiment, said at least one primary overhead product 51a may be subjected to one stage of first secondary flotation.

Said at least one additional primary overhead product 51b may be sent to stages 1-4 of additional secondary flotation. In one embodiment, said at least one additional primary overhead product 51b may be sent to stages 1 and 2 of additional secondary flotation. In one embodiment, said at least one additional primary overhead product 51b may be sent to one additional secondary flotation stage.

In a flotation process, the slurry flow may be directed from one flotation stage (primary or secondary) to a subsequent flotation stage (primary or secondary) by gravity. In one embodiment, the pulp flow may be directed from one flotation stage (primary or secondary) to a subsequent flotation stage (primary or secondary) using one or more low head pumps 60. In one embodiment, the slurry flow may be directed from one flotation stage (primary or secondary) to a subsequent flotation stage (primary or secondary) by gravity and by one or more low head pumps 60.

In accordance with one embodiment of the method, said at least one primary top product 51b is sent to at least one further processing stage 62. Stage 62 additional processing 62 may include, for example, stage or stage of grinding. In one embodiment, the post-treatment stage includes an additional secondary flotation stage. The bottoms product 43 from said at least one additional secondary flotation stage is sent to a primary flotation stage upstream of the last of said at least one primary flotation stage from which the primary overhead product 51b was obtained. In one embodiment, the underflow 43 from said at least one additional secondary flotation stage may be removed from the flotation process as a tailings stream.

In one embodiment, the primary overhead 51b, 51c from at least two primary flotation stages is sent to an additional secondary flotation stage, or the primary overhead product from at least three priming stages is sent to an additional secondary flotation stage.

The bottom product 42b from at least one second secondary flotation stage may be sent to the last of the primary flotation stages from which the primary overhead product 51b was obtained to the second secondary flotation stage. In one embodiment, the bottoms product 42b from the second secondary flotation stage may be sent to the downstream primary flotation stage.

The bottom product 42a from at least one first secondary flotation stage may be sent to the primary flotation stage downstream of the last primary flotation stage from which the primary overhead product 51a was obtained to the first secondary flotation stage.

The bottoms product from the at least one second secondary flotation stage may be sent to a primary flotation stage downstream of the last primary flotation stage from which the primary overhead product 51b was produced to the second secondary flotation stage.

The overhead product 51a from the primary flotation stage can be sent to two parallel secondary flotation stages.

Examples

Further embodiments of the invention are presented with reference to the figures of the drawings, as indicated.

Example 1

In one embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3a-3c, a flotation device 1 comprising a primary flotation line 10 with a first primary flotation cell 110a is introduced with an incoming pulp stream 11 to be divided into an underflow 40 and an overflow 51a.

The bottoms product 40, which may contain some mineral ore particles containing a valuable mineral, from the first priming cell 110a is sent via conduit 500 to an adjacent second priming cell 110b connected in series with the first primary flotation cell 110a, for further separation into the bottom product. 40 and top product 51b.

The bottom product 40, which may still contain some mineral ore particles containing a valuable mineral, from the second priming cell 110b is sent via conduit 500 to an adjacent third priming cell 110c connected in series with the second primary flotation cell 110b, for further separation into bottom product 40 and top product 51c.

The bottom product 40' is removed from the flotation device 1 as a tailings stream 83 . The tailings stream 83 contains a slurry stream from which the valuable mineral-containing ore particles collected as the first concentrate have been largely recovered. This tailings stream 83 may additionally be sent to another flotation device 1 to recover a second concentrate.

The top product 51c is collected as the first concentrate 81 for further processing by any suitable method known in the art. The apparatus described up to this point is a conventional apparatus for conventional froth flotation.

The overhead 51a from the first primer 110a is sent to the first refloat line 21 with the refloat 210a through the conduit 500 to be separated into the top 50 and the bottom 42a in the refloat 210a. The top product 50 is sent from the first secondary flotation line 21 as a first concentrate 81 for further processing in any suitable manner. This part of the flotation circuit is similar to any conventional froth flotation device.

However, unlike the conventional cascade flotation process, the bottom product 42a, which may contain some mineral ore particles containing a valuable mineral, from the first secondary flotation cell 210a is sent to the second primary flotation cell 110b for further processing in order to recover any remaining mineral ore particles, containing a valuable mineral, thereby increasing the recovery of this mineral in the flotation device 1. This so-called short-joint flotation is very advantageous for recovering ore particles containing a valuable mineral from pulps containing low-grade ores.

Similarly, from the second priming cell 110b, to the additional secondary flotation line 22 with the secondary flotation cell 210b, the top product 51b is sent through the pipeline 500, which in the secondary flotation cell 210b is to be separated into the upper product 50 and the bottom product.

- 23 041781 item 42b. The top product 50 is sent from the additional secondary flotation line 22 as a first concentrate 81 for further processing in any suitable manner. The concentrates 81 from the first secondary flotation line 21, the primary flotation line 10 and the additional secondary flotation line 21 may be combined prior to further processing.

Bottom product 42b, which may still contain some mineral ore particles containing valuable mineral, from additional secondary flotation cell 210b is sent to third primary flotation cell 110c for further processing to recover any remaining mineral ore particles containing valuable mineral, further increasing , thus, the degree of extraction of this mineral in the flotation device 1.

The priming chambers 110a, 110b and 110c are staggered so that there is a difference in pulp surface level 70 between each successive priming chamber 110a, 110b, 110c. In this particular example, as shown in FIG. 3c, each successive primary cell 110b, 110c has a bottom 71 located at a lower level than the bottom of the previous flotation cell 110a, 110b, creating a step between the flotation cells. The difference in the level 70 of the pulp surface, of course, can be realized by placing the overflow edges 76 of each successive priming chamber 110, 110b, 110c at different heights.

At the same time, a similar step may be provided between the reflotation chambers 210a, 210b, as well as between the first primary chamber 110a and the reflotation chamber 210a, and between the second priming chamber 110b and the secondary flotation chamber 210b.

Through these steps, the pulp surface level 70 of each successive downstream flotation cell is below the pulp surface level 70 of the previous flotation cell, which creates a suitable hydrostatic head between the cells to allow gravity to move the pulp streams. This can lead to savings in energy consumption as no energy is required for pumping. In addition, the structure of the flotation device can be simplified.

Example 2

In FIG. 4a-4c show another embodiment of the flotation apparatus 1. In an embodiment otherwise similar to that of Example 1, the secondary flotation cells 210a, 210b have a smaller volume than the primary flotation cells 110a, 110b, 110c.

By using secondary flotation cells smaller in volume than the primary flotation cells, from which the secondary flotation cells receive the top product, the secondary flotation lines 21, 22 can be more efficient in recovering particles containing less valuable mineral, i.e. which are more difficult to surface and foam for recovery as an overhead resulting in a higher grade 81 concentrate. This further increases the recovery of the flotation device 1.

Example 3

In one embodiment of the flotation device shown in FIG. 5a-5c, a flotation device 1 comprising a primary flotation line 10 with a first primary flotation chamber 110a is fed an incoming pulp stream 11 to be divided into an underflow 40 and an overflow 51a.

The bottom product 40, which may contain some mineral ore particles containing a valuable mineral, from the first priming cell 110a is sent to an adjacent second priming cell 110b, connected in series with the first primary flotation cell 110a, via conduit 500, for further separation into the lower product 40 and top product 51b.

The bottom product 40, which may still contain some mineral ore particles containing a valuable mineral, from the second priming cell 110b is sent to an adjacent third priming cell 110c connected in series with the second primary flotation cell 110b via conduit 500 for further separation into bottom product 40 and top product 51c.

The bottom product 40, which may still contain some mineral ore particles containing a valuable mineral, from the third priming cell 110c is sent to an adjacent fourth priming cell 110d, connected in series with the third primary flotation cell 110c, via conduit 500, for further separation on the bottom product 40 and the top product 51d.

The bottom product 40, which may still contain some mineral ore particles containing a valuable mineral, from the fourth priming cell 110d is sent to an adjacent fifth priming cell 110e, connected in series with the fourth primary flotation cell 110d, via conduit 500, for further separation on the bottom product 40 and the top product 51e.

The bottom product 40' is removed from the flotation device 1 as a tailings stream 83 . The tailings stream 83 contains a slurry stream from which the valuable mineral-containing ore particles collected as the first concentrate have been largely recovered. This flow of 83 tails can be

- 24 041781 additionally sent to another flotation device 1 to extract the second concentrate.

The overhead 51a from the first primer 110a is sent to the first refloat line 21 with the refloat 210a through the conduit 500 to be separated into the top 50 and the bottom 42a in the refloat 210a. The secondary flotation chamber 210a may be smaller in volume than the first primary flotation chamber 210a (db 110a). The top product 50 is sent from the first secondary flotation line 21 as a first concentrate 81 for further processing in any suitable manner.

The bottom product 42a, which may contain some mineral ore particles containing a valuable mineral, from the first secondary flotation cell 210a is sent to the second primary flotation cell 110b for further processing in order to recover any remaining mineral ore particles containing a valuable mineral, thereby increasing the degree of recovery of this mineral in the flotation device 1. The underflow 42a can only be sent back to the primary flotation line by gravity, as shown in FIG. 5b, or with a low head pump 60, which can reduce the energy consumption of the flotation process.

As described above, the volume of the secondary flotation chamber 210a may be smaller than the volume of the primary flotation chamber 110a.

The overhead products 51b, 51c, 51d, 51e from the primary flotation cells 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e are first collected in collection line 510 and sent together as one inlet stream to an additional secondary flotation line 22 with an additional secondary flotation cell 300 where these upper products should be divided into top product 50 and bottom product 43.

The bottom product 43 may flow back upstream to the first primary flotation cell 110a to be further processed to recover any mineral ore containing valuable mineral still present in the stream. The bottom product 43 may first be sent to the regrinding stage. However, the goal is still to recover the first concentrate 81, since the grinding step can be considered as part of the flotation device 1 to recover the first concentrate 81.

The top product 50 is sent from the additional secondary flotation cell 300 as a first concentrate 81 for further processing in any suitable manner. The concentrates 81 from the first secondary flotation line 21, the primary flotation line 10 and the additional secondary flotation line 22 may be combined for further processing.

The volume of the additional secondary flotation cell is chosen to accommodate the total volume of the top products 51b, 51c, 51d, 51e. However, it may be smaller in volume than the total volume of the primary flotation cells 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e.

The primary flotation chambers 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d and 110e are arranged in a staggered manner as previously described. Similarly, the secondary flotation cell 210a is a step above the primary flotation cell 110b into which the underflow 42a is directed. There is also a step between the additional secondary flotation chamber 300 and at least the primary flotation chambers 110b, 110c, 110d. Therefore, gravity can be used to control the flow of pulp between these flotation cells. The staging naturally means that one or more low head pumps 60 may be required to direct the underflow 43 out of the additional secondary flotation cell 300 to direct the slurry flow back to the first primary flotation cell 110a.

Example 4

In FIG. 6a-6c show an embodiment similar to that of Example 3. The bottom product 42a from the secondary flotation cell 210a is returned back to the primary flotation cell 110a from which the secondary flotation cell 110a (db 210a) received the upper product 51a, creating a flotation with short circulation between the first chamber 110a primary flotation and the camera 210a secondary flotation.

Example 5

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7a-7c, there are five primary flotation cells connected in series in the primary flotation line 10, with the bottom products 40 treated in the same way as described above in connection with example 3. Also, the first secondary flotation line is similar to the line from example 3, obtaining the top product 51a from the first priming chamber 110a. The bottom product 42a may flow into the second primary flotation cell 110b and the top product 50 is collected as the first concentrate 81 as in Example 3.

However, the secondary refloat line 22 with the refloat cell 210b is configured to receive the top product 51b from the second primary float cell 110b. The top product 50 from the secondary flotation cell 210b is collected as the first concentrate 81 and the bottom product 42b may flow into the third primary flotation cell 110c for further processing.

The volume of the secondary flotation chambers 210a, 210b may be smaller than the volume of the primary flotation chambers 110a, 110b, as described above.

- 25 041781

The top products 51c, 51d, 51e from the third, fourth, and fifth primary flotation cells 110c, 110d, 110e are first collected in collection line 510 and sent together as one inlet stream to an additional secondary flotation line 23 with an additional secondary flotation cell 300 where these top products should be divided into top product 50 and bottom product 43.

The volume of the additional secondary flotation chamber 300 is chosen to accommodate the total volume of the top products 51c, 51d, 51e. However, it may be less than the total volume of the primary flotation cells 110c, 110d, 110e.

The bottom product 43 may flow back upstream to the first primary flotation cell 110a where it must be further processed to recover any mineral ore containing valuable mineral still present in the stream. The slurry stream can be moved by one or more low head pumps, while other streams can be moved by gravity if suitable steps are installed between adjacent flotation cells fluidly connected to each other (see Fig. 7b).

The top product 50 is sent from the additional secondary flotation cell 300 as a first concentrate 81 for further processing in any suitable manner. The concentrates 81 from the first secondary flotation line 21, the second secondary flotation line 22, the secondary secondary flotation line 23 and the primary flotation line 10 may be combined for further processing.

Example 6

In FIG. 8a-8c show an embodiment similar to that of Example 5. The bottom product 42b from the second secondary flotation line 22 with the secondary flotation cell 210b is returned back to the primary flotation cell 110b from which the secondary flotation cell 210b received the upper product 51b, creating flotation with short circulation between the second chamber 110a primary flotation and the chamber 210b secondary flotation.

Example 7

In FIG. 9a-9c shows another embodiment similar to example 5. The additional secondary flotation line 22 instead of one secondary flotation cell 210b comprises two secondary flotation cells 210b, 210c arranged in series.

In this embodiment, the overhead from the second primer 110b is sent to an additional secondary flotation line 22 with a first refloat 210b from which the bottoms 42b is sent downstream to a third primer 110c, similar to what has been shown in the examples. 5 and 6.

The top product 50 from the first reflotation cell 210b of the secondary refloat line 22 is sent to the second refloat cell 210c for further processing. In the top product 50 of the second secondary flotation cell 210c, the first concentrate 81 is recovered, and the bottom product 42c is sent to the fourth priming cell 110d (the bottom product 42c may equally be sent to the third priming cell 110c) for further processing.

The overhead products 51c, 51d, 51e from the third, fourth and fifth primary flotation cells 110c, 110d, 110e are first collected in collection line 510 and sent together as one inlet stream to an additional secondary flotation line 23 with an additional secondary flotation cell 300 for separation to the top product 50 and bottom product 43 as in example 5.

Example 8

In one embodiment of the invention (FIGS. 10a-10c), the primary flotation line 10 also includes five primary flotation chambers 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e. The first two primary flotation chambers 110a, 110b have a larger volume than the last three flotation chambers 110c, 110d, 110e. However, the flotation process in the primary flotation line 10 is similar to that described in connection with examples 3-7.

These two secondary flotation lines 21, 22 operate similarly to that described in connection with example 5. The volume of the flotation cells 210a, 210b is smaller than the volume of the first flotation cells 110a, 110b.

The flotation apparatus 1 also includes a third secondary flotation line 23 with an additional secondary flotation cell 300 configured to obtain combined top products 51c, 51d, 51e from the last three priming cells 110c, 110d, 110e via collection line 510. Since the total volume of the last three Since the primary flotation chambers 110b, 110c, 110d are smaller in this embodiment, the volume of the additional secondary flotation chamber 300 may also be smaller, as can be seen in FIG. 10a and 10b.

The bottom product 43 from the additional secondary flotation chamber 300 exits the flotation device 1 as a tails stream 83 which can be combined with the tails stream 83 of the primary flotation line 10. The total tailings stream can, for example, be sent to another flotation device 1 to recover the second concentrate 82.

The top product 50 of the secondary flotation chamber 300 contains the recovered first concentrate 81 for further processing in a manner similar to that described in connection with others.

- 26 041781 examples and embodiments.

Example 9

In FIG. 11a-11c show another embodiment of the flotation apparatus 1. In this embodiment, the primary flotation line 10 comprises six primary flotation cells 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e, 110f. The process of flotation in line 10 primary flotation is similar to that described in connection with examples 3-8.

The overhead 51a from the first primer 110a is sent to the first refloat line 21 with the refloat 210a through the conduit 500 to be separated into the top 50 and the bottom 42a in the refloat 210a. The secondary flotation chamber 210a may be smaller in volume than the first primary flotation chamber 210a. The top product 50 is sent from the first secondary flotation line 21 as a first concentrate 81 for further processing in any suitable manner.

The bottom product 42a, which may contain some mineral ore particles containing a valuable mineral, from the first secondary flotation cell 210a is sent to the second primary flotation cell 110b for further processing in order to recover any remaining mineral ore particles containing a valuable mineral, thus increasing the degree extraction of this mineral in the flotation device 1.

The overheads 51b, 51c from the second and third priming cells 110b, 110c are first collected in collection line 510 and sent together as one inlet stream to an additional secondary flotation line 22 with a secondary flotation cell 210b to be separated into an overhead 50 and underflow 42b. The volume of the secondary flotation cell 210b of the additional secondary flotation line 22 may be less than the combined volume of the two primary flotation cells 110b, 110c from which the top products 51b, 51c were obtained.

The top product 50 from the secondary flotation cell 210b is collected as the first concentrate 81 and the bottom product 42b may flow into the fourth primary flotation cell 110d for further processing.

The flotation apparatus 1 further comprises a third secondary flotation line 23 with an additional secondary flotation cell 300 configured to receive combined top products 51d, 51e, 51f from the last three primary flotation cells 110d, 110e, 110f through collection line 510.

The bottom product 43 from the additional secondary flotation chamber 300 exits the flotation device 1 as a tails stream 83 which can be combined with the tails stream 83 of the primary flotation line 10 . The combined tailings stream may, for example, be sent to another flotation device 1 to recover the second concentrate 82.

The overhead 50 from the additional reflotation chamber 300 contains the recovered first concentrate 81, which must be further processed in a manner similar to that described in connection with other examples and embodiments.

Example 10

In FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the flotation device 1. In this embodiment, there are two primary flotation lines 10: a first primary flotation line 10a and a second primary flotation line 10b, each containing five primary flotation cells 110a-110e, 120a-120e. The primary flotation lines 10a, 10b are arranged to treat the pulp stream in a manner similar to that described, for example, in connection with examples 3 and 4.

However, the primary overhead products 51a, 52a from the first priming chambers 110a, 120a of both priming lines 10a, 10b are configured to flow into a single secondary flotation line 21 comprising a secondary flotation cell 210a. The top product 50 from the secondary flotation cell 210a is recovered as the first concentrate 81. The bottom product 42a is sent downstream to both the second priming cell 110b of the first priming line 10a and the second priming cell 120b of the second priming line 10b for additional processing in the respective flotation lines.

The flotation apparatus 1 further comprises a first additional secondary flotation line 22a with an additional secondary flotation cell 300a configured to produce combined top products 51b, 51c, 51d, 51e from the last three priming cells 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e of the first primary flotation line 10a through the collection pipeline 510; and a second additional secondary flotation line 22b with an additional secondary flotation cell 300b configured to produce combined tops 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e from the last three priming cells 120b, 120c, 120d, 120e of the second priming line 10b via collecting conduit 520 .

Similar to what was described in connection with example 9, the bottom products 43a, 43b from additional cells 300a, 300b of the secondary flotation are removed from the flotation device 1 in the form of a stream 83 of the tails, which can be combined with the stream 83 of the tails of the line 10a, 10b of the primary flotation . The overheads 50a, 50b from additional reflotation chambers 300a, 300b contain the recovered first concentrate 81 for further processing in a manner similar to that described in connection with other examples and embodiments.

Example 11.

In FIG. 13a shows another embodiment of the flotation device 1. In fact, it contains the same structural details as the device in example 9 (see Fig. 11a), but instead of separate flotation cells 110, 210, where the pulp is both aerated and separated into two fractions (upper product and lower product) in one chamber, each flotation line 10, 21, 22, 23 contains the first preparatory flotation cell 111, 211 and the flotation cell 110, 210 adjacent to the preparatory flotation cell through the hydraulic pipeline 41. In the preparatory flotation cell, the slurry stream is aerated either by an agitator having a gas inlet or by an aeration device such as a sprinkler. The adjoining flotation cell operates as a flotation cell without mechanical agitation to ensure the stability of the gas bubble agglomerates of the ore particles and the formation of an undisturbed froth layer.

The incoming pulp stream 11 is first sent to the primary flotation line 10 of the flotation device 1. More specifically, the pulp is sent to the preparation flotation cell 111a for processing as described above. From the pre-flotation cell 111a, the slurry flow is directed through a hydraulic conduit 41 to a flotation cell 110a, from which the overhead product 51a is sent to a first secondary flotation line 21 containing a similar pre-flotation cell 211a and, through a hydraulic conduit 41 adjacent to the flotation cell 210a.

The bottom product 40 from the flotation cell 210a of the primary flotation line 10 is sent further downstream for similar processing in additional preparatory flotation cells and the flotation cells of the primary flotation line 10 until the bottom product 40' from the last flotation cell 110f is discharged to the outside. from the flotation device 1 in the form of a tailings stream 83.

The bottom product 42a from the flotation cell 210a of the first secondary flotation line 21 is sent to the second preparatory flotation cell 111b downstream of the primary flotation unit from which the upper product 51a was obtained to the preparatory flotation cell 211a of the first secondary flotation line 21, back for further processing in line 10 primary flotation.

The top product 50 from the first refloat cell 210a is withdrawn from the first refloat line 21 as a first concentrate 81.

As in example 9, the additional secondary flotation line 22 is configured to produce a combined overhead product 51b, 51c from the second and third priming cells 110b, 110c, which are (both) preceded by a preparation flotation cell 111b, 111c. The combined overhead products 51a, 51b are then sent to additional refloat prep cell 210b via collecting line 510. Bottom product 42b from additional refloat cell 210b is sent back to primary flotation line 10 downstream of the flotation cell 110b, 110c from which it was obtained. the top products 51b, 51c to an additional secondary flotation line 22.

The flotation apparatus 1 also includes an additional secondary flotation line 23 comprising a preparatory flotation cell 301 and a flotation cell 300. The combined top products 51d, 51e, 51f from the additional primary flotation cells 111d, 111e, 111f are sent to the preparatory flotation cell 301 of the additional secondary flotation line 23 through collection line 510. The overhead 50 from the additional refloat line 23, collected as overhead from the flotation cell 300, contains the recovered first concentrate 81. The bottom product 43 from the additional refloat line 23 can be withdrawn from the flotation device 1 as a stream 83 tails.

Example 12.

In FIG. 13b shows another embodiment of the flotation device 1. In essence, it is somewhat similar to the device in example 10 (see Fig. 12), i.e. there are two primary flotation lines 10a, 10b. However, instead of one single secondary flotation cell 210 where the pulp is aerated and separated into two fractions (upper and lower product) in one cell, the secondary flotation lines 21, 22, 23 comprise a preparatory flotation cell 211 and a flotation cell 210 adjacent to the preparatory flotation cell 211 through hydraulic conduit 41. The two primary lines 10a, 10b are exactly the same as the primary line 10 in Example 9 above.

The primary overhead products 51a, 52a from the first priming chambers 110a, 120a of both priming lines 10a, 10b are configured to flow into a single secondary flotation line 21 comprising a preparatory flotation cell 211a and a flotation cell 210a. More specifically, the primary top products 51a, 52a are configured to flow into the preparatory flotation cell 211a of the first secondary flotation line 21. Top product 50 of

- 28 041781 chambers 210a secondary flotation is removed in the form of the first concentrate 81.

The bottom product 42a from the flotation cell 210a of the first secondary flotation line 21 is sent to the second preparatory flotation cell 111b downstream of the primary flotation unit from which the upper product 51a was obtained to the preparatory flotation cell 211a of the first secondary flotation line 21 and back for further processing in line 10 primary flotation.

The top product 50 from the flotation cell 210a of the first reflotation line 21 is withdrawn from the first refloat line 21 as a first concentrate 81.

As in Example 9, additional secondary flotation line 22 is configured to receive combined overheads 51b, 51c from the second and third flotation cells 110b, 110c of first priming line 10a via collection line 510, as well as overheads 52b, 52c from second and of the third flotation cells 120b, 120c of the second primary line 10b via collection line 520. More specifically, there is a secondary secondary line preparatory flotation cell 211b that receives combined overhead products 51b, 51c, 52a, 52b.

The bottoms product 42b from the flotation cell 210b of the secondary refloat line 22 is sent back to the first primary float line 10a downstream of the primary float cell 110b, 110c from which the top products 51b, 51c were obtained into the secondary secondary line 22. The top product 50 from the flotation cell 210b of the additional reflotation line 22 is removed from the additional refloat line 22 as the first concentrate 81.

The flotation apparatus 1 further comprises an additional secondary flotation line 23 comprising a preparatory flotation cell 301 and a flotation cell 300. The combined overhead products 51d, 51e, 51f from the last three flotation cells 110d, 110e, 110f of the first primary flotation line 10a, as well as the overhead product 52e from the second last flotation cells 120e of the second priming line 10b is sent to the preparatory flotation cell 301 of the additional secondary flotation line 23 through the collecting pipeline 510, 520. The overhead product 50 from the additional secondary flotation line 23, collected from the flotation cell 300 as an overhead product, contains the recovered first concentrate 81. The bottom product 43 from the additional secondary flotation line 23 can be removed from the flotation device 1 as a tailings stream 83 .

Example 13

In FIG. 14a and 14b show an embodiment of a flotation plant.

The flotation plant contains two flotation devices 1a, 1b, which are of the type described in example 5. The first flotation device 1a is designed to recover the first concentrate 81, and the second flotation device 1b is designed to recover the second concentrate 82.

The primary flotation chambers 110a-110e of the first flotation device 1a and the primary flotation chambers 120a-120e of the second flotation device 1b are arranged in series.

Since the functions and flow arrangements of the flotation devices 1a, 1b have already been discussed in detail in connection with Example 5, the details of the flotation devices 1a, 1b are no longer discussed here.

The tailings stream 83 collected from the underflow 40' of the last flotation cell 110e of the primary flotation line 10 of the first flotation device 1a is sent to a device suitable for post-treatment of mineral ore particles suspended in the slurry. In one embodiment, the device may be a grinding stage 64 or, in another embodiment, a device 65 for adding flotation reagents. (In Figs. 14a, 14b, the device is shown only as an example, it should be understood that the block (in the drawing) can be either a grinding stage 64 or a device 65 for adding flotation agents, depending on the embodiment.)

In one embodiment, in which the device includes a grinding stage 64, the second concentrate 82 recovered in the second flotation device 1b contains ore particles containing the same valuable mineral as the first concentrate 81 recovered in the first flotation device 1a (i.e. the two concentrates have the same or similar mineralogical composition), but the particle size distribution of the second concentrate 82 differs due to the grinding circuit 62.

Alternatively, the additional processing step may include the recovery of the slurry stream collected as the tailings stream 83 of the first flotation device 1a, i.e. treating the pulp with additional flotation agents to prepare the incoming pulp stream 11b for recovery of the second concentrate 82. In this case, the second concentrate 82 recovered in the second flotation device 1b contains ore particles containing a valuable mineral different from the first concentrate 81 recovered in the first flotation device 1a. Thus, the two concentrates have a different mineralogical composition.

-

Claims (79)

The embodiments described above may be used in any combination with each other. Some of the embodiments may be combined together to form an additional embodiment. The device, method, installation or application to which the invention pertains may comprise at least one of the embodiments described above. One skilled in the art will appreciate that as technology advances, the basic idea of the invention can be implemented in a variety of ways. The invention and its embodiments are thus not limited to the examples described above. On the contrary, they may vary within the scope of the claims. CLAIM 1. Flotation device (1) for processing particles of mineral ore suspended in the pulp, containing flotation chambers (110, 210) for separating the pulp into a lower product (40, 42) and an upper product (50, 51), and the separation is carried out using flotation gas, wherein the device (1) comprises a primary flotation line (10) comprising at least two primary flotation chambers (110a, 110b) connected in series, with each subsequent primary flotation chamber (110b) configured to produce a bottom product ( 40) from the previous chamber (110a) primary flotation; a first secondary flotation line (21) comprising a secondary flotation chamber (210a) in fluid communication with at least one first primary flotation chamber (110a) and configured to produce a primary overhead product (51a) from said at least one first chamber ( 110a) primary flotation to recover the first concentrate (81); an additional secondary flotation line (22) located downstream of the first secondary flotation line (21) and containing a secondary flotation chamber (210b) in fluid communication with another primary flotation chamber (110b) located downstream of said at least one primary flotation cell (110a), from which primary overhead product (51a) enters the first secondary flotation line (21), wherein said secondary flotation cell (210b) is configured to produce primary overhead product (51b) from said further cell ( 110b) primary flotation to recover the first concentrate (81); characterized in that said first secondary flotation line (21) is in flow communication with the bottom product (42a) supplied from it with the last chamber from said at least one first primary flotation chamber (110a), from which into said first line (21) secondary flotation receives primary overhead product (51a), or with primary flotation chamber (110b) downstream of the last chamber from said at least one first primary flotation chamber (110a), from which enters said first secondary flotation line (21) primary top product (51a). 2. The flotation device according to claim 1, wherein the flotation cell (210a) of the first secondary flotation line (21) and/or the flotation cell (210b) of the secondary secondary flotation line (22) are located in direct fluid communication with the first cell (110a, 110b). ) primary flotation, from which they get the top product (51a, 51b). 3. A flotation device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the bottom product (42a) from the secondary flotation line (21) can flow into the primary flotation chamber (110b), after which there are at least two more in the primary flotation line (10) chambers (110c, 110d) primary flotation. 4. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the primary flotation line (10) comprises at least three flotation cells, or 3 to 10 flotation cells, or 4 to 7 flotation cells. 5. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first secondary flotation line (21) comprises 1 to 4 flotation cells, or 1 to 2 flotation cells, or one flotation cell. 6. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the additional secondary flotation line (22) comprises 1 to 4 flotation cells, or 1 to 3 flotation cells, or 1 to 2 flotation cells. 7. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the number of refloat cells connected in series in the additional refloat line (22) is equal to or greater than the number of refloat cells connected in series in the first refloat line (21). 8. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the additional secondary flotation line (22) is configured to produce a primary overhead product (51) from 1 to 3 primary flotation cells or from 1 and 2 primary flotation cells. 9. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first flotation cell (210a) of the first secondary flotation line (21) has a larger volume than the first flotation - 30 041781 one chamber (210b) of the additional line (22) of the secondary flotation. 10. A flotation apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first primary flotation chamber (110a) has a volume of at least 100 m ³ , or a volume of at least 500 m ³ , or a volume of at least 1000 m ³ . 11. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second flotation cell (110b) of the primary flotation line (10) has a volume of at least 100 m ³ , or a volume of at least 300 m ³ , or a volume of at least 500 m ³ . 12. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the volume of the second priming chamber (110b) is equal to or less than the volume of the first priming chamber (110a) of the first priming chamber (110a). 13. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flotation chamber (210a) of the first secondary flotation line (21) in fluid communication with the primary flotation chamber (110a) has a volume of 100 to 1000 m ³ or 400 to 1000 m ³ . 14. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flotation chamber (210b) of the additional secondary flotation line (22) in fluid communication with the primary flotation chamber (110b) has a volume of 100 to 1000 m ³ or 300 to 1000 m ³ . 15. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the volume of the flotation chamber (210a) of the first secondary flotation line (21) in fluid communication with at least one primary flotation chamber (110a) is between 2 and 50% of the total volume of said at least one chamber (110a) primary flotation or from 3 to 30% of the total volume of said at least one chamber (110a) primary flotation. 16. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the volume of the flotation chamber (210b) of the additional secondary flotation line (22) in fluid communication with at least one primary flotation chamber (110b) is between 2% and 50% of the total volume of said at least one primary flotation chamber (110b) or from 3 to 30% of the total volume of said at least one primary flotation chamber (110b). 17. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pulp flow is moved by gravity, or by one or more low head pumps, or by gravity and one or more low head pumps. 18. A flotation apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow of pulp into and/or out of the secondary flotation cell is moved by gravity, or by one or more low head pumps, or by gravity and by one or more more low head pumps. 19. The flotation apparatus of claim 18, wherein the pulp flow into and/or out of the two secondary flotation cells is moved by gravity, or by one or more low head pumps, or by gravity and by one or more low head pumps. 20. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the primary overflow (51a) from the primary flotation chamber (110a) is moved by gravity or the primary overflow (51a, 51b) from at least two chambers (110a, 110b) primary flotation is moved by gravity. 21. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the overflow (50) from the refloat cell (210a) is moved by gravity or the overflow (50) from at least two refloat chambers (210a, 210b) is moved under the action of gravity. 22. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the overhead (50) from each secondary flotation chamber (210) is moved by gravity. 23. The flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom product (40) from the primary flotation chamber (110a) is moved by gravity or the bottom product (40) from at least two primary flotation chambers (110a, 110b) is moved under the action of gravity. 24. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom product (42a) from the secondary flotation chamber (210a) is moved by gravity or the bottom product (42a, 42b) from at least two secondary flotation chambers (210a, 210b) moves under the influence of gravity. 25. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the underflow (40) from each primary flotation chamber (110) is moved by gravity. 26. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the underflow (40) from each secondary flotation chamber (210) is moved by gravity. 27. The flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the primary overflow (51a) from the primary flotation chamber (110a) is moved by a low head pump or the primary overflow (51a, 51b) from at least two chambers (110a, 110b) primary - 31 041781 flotation is moved by a low head pump. 28. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the overflow (50) from the reflotation chamber (210a) is moved by a low head pump or the overflow (50) from at least two reflotation chambers (210a, 210b) is moved by a low pressure pump. 29. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the overhead (50) from each secondary flotation chamber (210) is moved by a low head pump. 30. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom product (40) from the primary flotation chamber (110a) is moved by a low head pump or the bottom product (40) from at least two primary flotation chambers (110a, 110b) is moved by a low pressure pump. 31. A flotation device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom product (42a) from the secondary flotation chamber (210a) is moved by a low head pump or the bottom product (42a, 42b) from at least two chambers (210a, 210b) The secondary flotation is moved by a low head pump. 32. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the underflow (40) from each primary flotation chamber (110) is moved by a low head pump. 33. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the underflow (42) from each secondary flotation chamber (210) is moved by a low head pump. 34. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom product (40) between two primary flotation chambers (110a, 110b) is moved by gravity and the top product (51a, 51b) from said two chambers (110a, 110b) primary flotation can flow to different secondary flotation lines, while the surface level of the pulp in these chambers (110a, 110b) of the primary flotation is different. 35. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the overflow (51c) from at least one primary flotation cell (110c) to which the bottom product (42b) is directed from the additional secondary flotation cell can flow into the additional stage (62 ) processing. 36. The flotation apparatus of claim 35, wherein the combined overhead product from said at least one primary flotation cell (110c) to which the bottom product (42b) is directed from the additional secondary flotation cell, and from the at least one cell (110d) ) primary flotation downstream of said at least one flotation cell (110c), to which the underflow (42b) from the additional secondary flotation cell is directed, may proceed to an additional processing stage (62). 37. A flotation device according to claim 35 or 36, wherein said additional processing step (62) includes a grinding step (64). 38. A flotation device according to claim 35 or 36, wherein said additional processing stage (62) comprises an additional secondary flotation chamber (300) in fluid communication with at least one primary flotation chamber (110b) and configured to produce a primary overhead product (51b) from at least one primary flotation chamber (110b), wherein the bottom product (43) from the additional secondary flotation chamber (300) can flow into the primary flotation chamber (110a) upstream of said at least one chamber ( 110b) the primary flotation from which the primary overhead product (51b) was obtained; or exit the flotation device. 39. The flotation apparatus of claim 38, wherein the additional secondary flotation cell (300) is configured to produce primary overhead product (51) from at least two primary flotation cells (110b, 110c) or from at least three primary flotation cells (110c , 110d, 110e) primary flotation. 40. The flotation device according to claim 38 or 39, in which the additional chamber (300) secondary flotation is located downstream of said at least one first line (21) secondary flotation and said at least one additional line (22) secondary flotation . 41. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the underflow (42c) from the second flotation cell (210c) of the secondary flotation line (22) can flow into the primary flotation cell (110d) downstream of the primary flotation cell from which it was primary top product (51a, 51b) is obtained. 42. The flotation device according to claim 41, wherein there is one primary cell (110) located between the last primary cell (110a), from which the primary overhead product (51a) was obtained by the secondary flotation line, and the primary cell (110c). flotation, which is sent to the bottom product (42b) from the second chamber (210b) secondary flotation. - 32 041781 43. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the underflow (42b) from the first flotation cell (210b) of the secondary secondary line (22) can flow into the primary flotation cell (110c) downstream of the last primary cell (110b). flotation, from which the primary overhead product (51b) was received in line (22) secondary flotation. 44. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the underflow (42a, 42b) from each secondary flotation chamber (210a, 210b) in direct fluid communication with the primary flotation chamber (110a, 110b) can flow into the downstream downstream the primary flotation cell. 45. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the primary overhead product (51a) from the primary flotation cell (110a) can flow into two parallel secondary flotation cells (210a). 46. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising two primary flotation lines (10a, 10b), wherein the first secondary flotation line (21) is configured to receive an overhead product (51, 52) from the first flotation cells (110a, 120a) both lines (10a, 10b) primary flotation. 47. A flotation device according to claim 46, wherein the secondary secondary flotation line (22) is configured to produce overhead (51b, 52b) from the second flotation cells (110b, 120b) of both primary flotation lines (10a, 10b). 48. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the primary flotation chambers (110) and/or the secondary flotation chambers (210) comprise froth flotation chambers. 49. The flotation apparatus of claim 48, wherein the flotation gas is supplied to a flotation cell where the slurry is separated into an overflow (51) and underflow (42). 50. The flotation device according to claim 48, wherein the flotation gas is supplied to the preparatory flotation cell in which the impeller is installed. 51. A flotation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mineral ore particles contain Cu or Zn or Fe or pyrite or a metal sulfide such as gold sulfide. 52. The use of a flotation device according to any one of claims 1 to 51 for extracting mineral ore particles containing a valuable mineral. 53. The use according to claim 52 for extracting mineral ore particles containing a valuable mineral from low-grade ore. 54. Use according to claim 52 for recovering Cu-containing mineral ore particles from low-grade ore. 55. A flotation plant comprising a flotation device according to any one of claims 1-51. 56. A flotation plant according to claim 55, comprising at least two or at least three flotation devices according to any one of claims 1-51. 57. A flotation plant according to claim 55 or 56, comprising at least one flotation device (1a) for recovering a first concentrate (81) and at least one flotation device (1b) for recovering a second concentrate (82). 58. The flotation plant according to claim 57, wherein the flotation cells (110) of the primary flotation line (10a) of said at least one flotation device (1a) for extracting the first concentrate (81) and the flotation cells (120) of the primary flotation line (10b) flotation of said at least one flotation device (1b) for extracting the second concentrate (82) are arranged in series. 59. A flotation plant according to claim 57 or 58, further comprising a device for further processing the mineral ore particles suspended in the pulp so that the second concentrate (82) differs from the first concentrate (81). 60. A flotation plant according to claim 59, wherein the apparatus for post-treatment of mineral ore particles suspended in the pulp comprises a grinding stage (64) located between the first flotation device (1a) and the second flotation device (1b). 61. A flotation plant according to claim 59, wherein the plant for post-treatment of mineral ore particles suspended in the slurry comprises a device (65) for adding flotation agents located between the first flotation device (1a) and the second flotation device (1b). 62. A flotation plant according to any one of claims 55-61, wherein the primary flotation line (10) comprises 10 primary flotation cells, wherein the top product (51) from the last of the primary flotation cells can flow into a secondary flotation line containing an additional secondary flotation cell. flotation, and the bottom product (42) from the additional secondary flotation cell can flow back to the first 1-4 flotation cells of the primary flotation line (10). 63. A flotation plant according to any one of claims 51 to 62, wherein the flotation device is configured to recover mineral ore particles containing Cu and/or Zn and/or pyrite and/or metal from a sulfide such as gold. - 33 041781 64. A flotation plant according to any one of claims 51 to 62, wherein the flotation device is configured to recover Cu containing mineral ore particles from low grade ore. 65. A flotation plant according to any one of claims 51-62, wherein the flotation device is configured to recover Fe by reverse flotation. 66. A flotation method for treating mineral ore particles suspended in a pulp in a flotation device according to any one of claims 1 to 51, wherein said method subject the pulp to at least two primary flotation steps in succession to separate the pulp into a primary bottom product (40) and a primary overhead product (51a, 51b), wherein the primary bottom product (40) from the primary flotation stage is sent to a subsequent additional primary flotation stage; sending at least one first primary overhead product (51a) after the primary flotation stage to at least one first secondary flotation stage to recover the first concentrate (81); and sending at least one additional primary top product (51b) after the additional primary flotation stage to at least one additional secondary flotation stage to recover the first concentrate (81), characterized in that the bottom product (42) from the first secondary flotation stage is sent to the last of said at least one primary flotation stage from which the primary overhead product (51a, 51b) was obtained, or to the downstream primary flotation stage. 67. A flotation process according to claim 66, wherein the pulp is subjected to at least three primary flotation stages, or 3 to 10 primary flotation stages, or 4 to 7 primary flotation stages. 68. The flotation process according to claim 66 or 67, wherein said at least one primary top product (51a) is sent to stages 1-4 of the first secondary flotation, or to stages 1 and 2 of the first secondary flotation, or to one stage of the first secondary flotation. flotation. 69. A flotation process according to any one of claims 66-68, wherein said at least one additional primary top product (51b) is sent to 1-4 additional secondary flotation stages, or to 1 and 2 additional secondary flotation stages, or to one stage of additional secondary flotation. 70. A flotation process according to any one of claims 66-69, wherein the slurry flow is directed from one flotation stage to a subsequent flotation stage by gravity, or by one or more low head pumps, or by gravity and by one or more low head pumps. 71. A flotation process according to any one of claims 66-70, wherein at least one primary overhead product (51b) is sent to at least one post-treatment stage (62). 72. The flotation process according to claim 71, wherein the post-treatment step (62) includes a grinding step (64). 73. The flotation process according to claim 71, wherein said at least one post-treatment stage (62) includes an post-secondary flotation stage, wherein the underflow (43) from said at least one post-secondary flotation stage is sent to the primary flotation stage. upstream of said at least one primary flotation stage from which the primary overhead product (51b) was obtained; or removed from the flotation stages. 74. The flotation process according to claim 73, wherein the primary overhead product (51a) from at least two primary flotation stages is sent to the additional secondary flotation stage, or the primary overhead product (51a) from at least three primary flotation stages is sent to the stage additional secondary flotation. 75. A flotation process according to any one of claims 66 to 74, wherein the bottom product (42b) from the second secondary flotation stage is sent to the primary flotation stage downstream of the primary flotation stage from which the upper product (51b) was obtained to the second stage secondary flotation. 76. A flotation process according to any one of claims 66 to 75, wherein the bottom product (42a) from the first secondary flotation stage is sent to the primary flotation stage downstream of the last primary flotation stage from which the primary overhead product (51a) was obtained in the first stage of secondary flotation. 77. A flotation process according to any one of claims 66-76, wherein the underflow (42b) from the second secondary flotation stage is sent to the primary flotation stage downstream of the last primary flotation stage from which the primary overhead product (51b) was obtained during the second stage of secondary flotation. 78. A flotation process according to any one of claims 66 to 77, wherein the primary overhead product (51a) from the primary flotation stage is sent to two parallel secondary flotation stages. 79. A flotation process according to any one of claims 66-78, wherein froth flotation is used. -