Mineral processing equipment specialist Metso has launched a breakthrough innovation in coarse particle flotation, Sampo Cell, that enhances recovery of coarse particles without compromising fine particle recovery, helping mining companies improve the efficiency, profitability, and sustainability of their operations. 

“Mining companies are under increasing pressure to process more complex ores, improve recovery and reduce their environmental footprint. The Sampo Cell represents a significant leap forward in flotation technology. By expanding the recoverable particle size range and simplifying coarse particle flotation, customers can unlock additional value from existing operations,” says Metso separation senior VP Teemu Kaarniemi.

Traditional flotation circuits typically require extensive grinding to bring particles into an optimal range for efficient recovery. The coarse particle flotation changes this paradigm by expanding flotation performance to significantly coarser and less liberated particle sizes. 

Based on a froth-feeding principle, the Sampo Cell technology gently feeds slurry directly into the froth phase, where separation takes place under low-turbulence conditions. This minimises particle detachment and enables efficient recovery of particles that are typically lost in conventional flotation circuits.

Sampo Cell can be applied for front-end gangue rejection or as a scavenger stage to recover valuable particles from intermediate or final tailings. 

The design also simplifies coarse particle flotation flowsheets compared to other solutions. It operates without feed classification, fluidisation water, or additional concentrate dewatering stages, reducing equipment requirements, and supporting easier integration into existing plants.

The Sampo Cell system uses familiar flotation controls and instrumentation, making implementation straightforward for plant operators. 

Sampo Cell is part of the Metso Plus portfolio, supporting more efficient minerals processing through improved energy and water efficiency and higher resource recovery.

FIELD DEPLOYMENT

Since March, Sampo Cell has been in continuous 24/7 operation in industrial-scale scavenger duty at a copper mine in Chile.

Operated by the customer, Metso says the technology has demonstrated a significant increase in total plant recovery by capturing particles typically lost in conventional flotation cells. "The implementation has proven the value of coarse particle flotation under real operating conditions.

“The industrial-scale operation in Chile has validated both the performance and scalability of the Sampo Cell. The results show how customers can improve overall plant recovery without major changes to the existing flotation circuit,” says Metso flotation VP Antti Rinne.

The launch of the Sampo Cell technology further strengthens Metso’s leadership in flotation technology.

Metso offers one of the industry’s most comprehensive flotation portfolios, covering mechanical flotation, pneumatic flotation, flotation services, process expertise, digital optimisation tools, and aftermarket support.