Investigations of Monomineralic Flotation of Galena, Sphalerite, and Pyrite at Different Temperatures

Temperature variations could potentially impact flotation performance, leading to operational and economic issues. Several historical currently operating plants across Canada have reported seasonal metal losses as one of their major challenges. Improvements in efficiency at cold temperatures are important for the sustainable development industry, especially view expanding mining operations north increasing climate change-originated weather extremes on operations. To better understand driving mechanisms metallurgical variation, degree vulnerability froth fluctuations temperature, develop recommendations addressing seasonally driven losses, a series mono-mineral tests were conducted. The observed yield recovery kinetics different sulfide minerals follow similar pattern: higher slower lower temperatures, recoveries faster temperature conditions. Following results tests, foam height stability investigated explain variations. A high correlation between changes behavior properties with was revealed.