Modeling of the Mount Isa rougher-scavenger copper flotation circuit usingsize-by-liberation data

A flotation model developed at the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Cen tre was used to predict the performance of copper rougher and scavenger cir cuits at the copper concentrator at Mount Isa Mines. The model describes th e kinetic response of an ore in a flotation cell in terms of ore floatabili ty, cell characteristics and froth recovery. The floatability parameters of the rougher feed ore were obtained directly from a detailed plant survey. Flotation analysis was carried out for twenty different size-by-liberation classes to account for the effects of particle size and liberation on flota tion. This paper investigates the capability of the model to predict the fl otation behavior of 20 different size-by-liberation classes in the rougher and the scavenger banks.