TECHNOLOGY OF FLOTATION.

There are two mechanisms in the flotation process by which particles are transported from the pulp to the concentrate: bubble-mineral aggregation and entrainment. It is the chemical processes which occur in the pulp which are critical to the success of flotation since they control the floatability of different minerals and the selectivity which can be obtained. The alternative approach to understanding flotation is to examine the behaviour of minerals in industrial flotation processes, to recognise similarities and differences, and to define the 'laws' which appear to apply. Using this approach it has been found that minerals float at a rate which is proportional to their concentration in the pulp, and that the rate of flotation of different minerals is influenced by variables which affect the pulp or the froth phase. The ultimate application of this approach is the use of models for circuit simulation purposes. It is this alternative approach which is the theme of this paper