Integrated simulation of grinding and flotation application to a lead-silver ore

The paper outlines a procedure to simulate a grinding-flotation plant. Popu lation balance models are used to describe the grinding, classification and flotation processes. In the grinding and classification models particles a re characterized by their size, while in the flotation models particles are characterized by their size and mineral composition. The link between the grinding and flotation circuits is made by an empirical model that generate s the mineral-size particle population from the size distribution of the gr inding circuit product. The simulator is calibrated using plant data collec ted from the Penoles-Fresnillo Pb-Ag concentrator in Mexico. (C) 1999 Elsev ier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.