Development of indigenous column flotation technology at NML for the beneficiation of low-grade ores

Abstract

NML Madras Centre has designed and developed indigenous automated flotation columns as part of its long term R&D program on the utilization of low-grade ores of India. Both laboratory size and semi-commercial flotation columns were extensively field tested in different mineral processing plants owned by Hindustan Copper Limited, Hindustan Zinc Limited, Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited, Sociedade De Fomento Industrial Limited, Bharat Gold Mines Limited, Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Limited and Indian Rare Earths Limited for the beneficiation of copper, lead and zinc, iron, gold, fluorspar and sillimanite. State-of-the-art equipment was incorporated in both laboratory and semi-commercial flotation columns. Advantages of column flotation technology over conventional flotation machines and salient features of the NML flotation column were discussed in the present paper. Flotation test results obtained both by flotation column and conventional cells were compared. The paper also highlights the potential of column flotation technology in achieving better metallurgical results.