Geometallurgical modelling of the Collahuasi flotation circuit

The flotation rate constant was modelled as a function of air dispersion properties and the complete feed particle size distribution by using the collision–attachment–detachment approach and introducing a parameter (U) which represents the inherent floatability of the ore. It was found that this parameter U is characteristic of the geometallurgical unit and does not depend on the main operating conditions. The parameter U is dimensionless and can be estimated either from laboratory testwork or directly from an industrial kinetics survey and can be used to predict industrial operation, provided that the other components of the model are evaluated under actual operation conditions. An empirical expression for the maximum achievable recovery – infinite time recovery – is also presented. The complete model, including flotation rate constant and infinite time recovery, was tested showing good correlation at both laboratory and industrial scale. At industrial scale the model was able to predict metallurgical results in a time frame of several weeks at Compañia Minera Doña Inés de Collahuasi SCM, showing an average relative error of less than 2%