Africa is home to an abundance of natural resources, including platinum, copper, iron, diamonds, silver, gold and uranium; however, mining and processing these resources can be challenging for operators on the continent looking to run efficient mines.

International specialty chemicals company Clariant presented a new study at industry conference Flotation 2019, in Cape Town, South Africa, earlier this month, examining the efficiency of its new range of chemical collectors for metallurgical recovery compared with that of traditional collectors in mineral flotation.

Clariant sulphide ores expert Shani Engelbrecht presented the findings of the research, entitled ‘Reduction of the Negative Effects of Aluminosilicate Minerals on Copper and Gold Flotation by a New Process Route’, at the conference.

The study examined the efficiency of traditional collectors, such as xanthates and dithiophosphates, in gold and copper recovery from high silicate-containing ores, and compared this method of recovery with the performance of Clariant’s newly developed range of reagents.

In particular, the research was aimed at elucidating the mechanisms that would improve the flotation performance of sulphide minerals, such as gold-bearing pyrite, arsenopyrite and chalcopyrite with high aluminosilicate.

Clariant says aluminosilicates make effective mineral processing difficult and expensive with a subsequent negative impact on the environment; processing these high-silicate containing ores produces wastage – both in the form of unprocessed ore and in excessive reagent consumption.

The study demonstrated that the addition of Clariant’s products in the flotation of sulphide ore with high-silicate content achieved a recovery of 80% for gold and increased copper recovery to 90.3%.

Comparative research found that dithiophosphates and xanthates, which are typically used for flotation, do not exceed 40% metallurgical recovery for gold, and approximately 84% for copper from ore with high-silicate content.

These results highlight the efficiency of Clariant products to improve copper and gold recovery even when the minerals are high in aluminosilicate, the company stated.

“This has huge implications for mining operators’ bottom lines, while also being friendlier to the environment, because of reduced reagent consumption. We will continue to innovate with sustainability in mind for the health and wealth of Africa’s mining sector,” said Engelbrecht.