Mineral Flotation

The natural floatability of the natural gold and its frequent association with the sulphurs, have conducted very soon to the use of the flotation for the concentration of the minerals of gold.

The flotation of the minerals of gold is placed in action according to a great variety of configurations, illustrating the flexibility of this process well.

Flotation of the minerals of gold accompanied by sulphurs, refractory or not. The concentrate of the flotation, can after be treated by the energy methods to recuperate the maximum of the metal: re-grinding, Cyanidation, eventual burning in the case of refractory minerals.

Sometimes, the residues of the flotation can be submitted to a Cyanidation in complete of the treatment.

Flotation of the sulphurs after that the Cyanidation of the mineral arrives. This complementary stage of treatment, particularly developed in South Africa (Allison) (23), has permitted a supplementary income of gold contained in the pyrites.

Differential flotation permitting the separation of the telures of gold-pyrite or free gold-pyrite.

Finally, the flotation can also be used to separate the carbonized minerals in the head of the Cyanidation.

The reactive used are the same as the ones used for the ditiophosphate xanthenes sulphurs (amy butyl), mercaptans for the collectors, pine oil, cresol acid, phosocresol for the moussants, the dispensers of clay are sometimes used (silicate of sodium).