Flotation of cobalt bearing minerals from a mixed copper-cobalt oxidized ore

M.Tech. (Extraction Metallurgy)The techniques for the flotation of mixed copper and cobalt bearing oxide ores using the sulphidization method in order to recover the oxidized copper and cobalt bearing minerals have been well documented by previous researchers. These processes have been successfully implemented in many of the metallurgical plant operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The mixed copper and cobalt oxidised ores from this region present significant chal-lenges to metallurgists. Ore grades and gangue mineral constituents can vary quite significantly from one mine to another. Ore grades can also change substantially on an individual mine over a relatively short time period. These rather sudden ore feed grade changes can result in reduced flotation plant efficiency and hence losses in income. The prime objective of the project, to selectively recover and concentrate cobalt oxi-dized minerals by froth flotation, was not fully achieved on the ores tested. Very ac-ceptable cobalt recoveries were however achieved on three of the ores tested but it was invariably with an accompanying high copper recovery as well. Some valuable insights into the behaviour of both the cobalt and copper oxidized minerals in the froth flotation of these oxidized ores were observed and documented