Flotation: Theory, Reagents and Ore Testing

Flotation has become one of the most important techniques available for mineral processing. This work provides a unique and authoritative review of sulphide mineral collector properties, their manufacture and use with specific ores. Special emphasis is placed on the different flotation mechanisms involved in particle capture of sulphide and non-sulphide minerals and the effect of antagonal mechanisms on reagent selection. The author provides details, some previously unpublished, of the chemical properties, manufacture methods and possible surface active impurities of commercial collectors and frothers. In addition the chemical composition of a broad number of North American and European commercial reagent designations are listed. Ore sampling, sample preparation, testing machines and routines are covered as practical guides to mine laboratory staff. Suggestions to testing procedures, equipment selection and graphical data evaluation methods to multivariable problems are provided.