Column Flotation Studies in Copper Flotation Cleaning Circuit at Eti Bakir A.S. Kure Corporation

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to investigate the possibility of increasing final concentrate grade by using column flotation at Eti Bakır A.Ş. Küre flotation plant. Since pyrite is the main gangue mineral in the concentrate, removing it from the copper concentrate also increases cobalt recovery into pyrite concentrate. For this purpose, experimental studies were performed by using a pilot scale flotation column. The studies were carried out at the first and second cleaning circuits and sampling surveys were performed in these circuits on the same day for the comparison the results with column flotation.

The studies started with the determination of the optimum parameters and the effect of airflow rate, type of bubble generator, feed rate, froth height and wash water rate were investigated. Final tests were conducted in the second cleaning circuit at optimum conditions. Higher concentrate grade was obtained by column flotation than the final copper grade obtained after four stages of cleaning at the process plant. This resulted in a decrease in the amount of cobalt reporting into the copper concentrate.