Outotec (St. Petersburg):

Mashevskiy G. N., Chief Process Adviser, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, gennady.mashevsky@outotec.com

Romanenko S. A., Leading Process Engineer, Sergey.Romanenko@outotec.com

The article considers new developments of Outotec in the field of base metals ores flotation technologies. Interrelation between laboratory studies and commercial introduction of solutions on the basis of the latest automation means and mathematical modeling techniques is pointed out. It is noted, that a significant progress in development of the methodologies is achieved owing to the new product of Outotec – Courier^® 8SL analyzer, designed on the basis of the LIBS (laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy) technology. Since lower grade and more difficultlytreated ores are being involved in mining and processing, stage flotation flow sheets are proposed for development with application of flash flotation SkimAir at the head of the process. One of directions for development of the technologies is considered, consisting in elimination of lime application in ore cycle at the head of the process. Examples are given with respect to development of new technologies for the Koktenkolskoye deposit copper-molybdenum ores, Akbastau copper-zinc ores, the named after the 50th October anniversary deposit copperpyrite ores, the Zhairemskoye deposit lead-zinc ores. A significant improvement in metallurgical results is shown. With respect to technologies of selective separation of pyrite and other sulfide minerals in lime medium, a new principle has been developed for lime dosing optimization on the basis of slurry electrochemical potential, controlled by means of Мо-electrode. Expansion of Multi-Sensor Information System for slurry electrochemical control is accomplished through integration of LaF₃-electrode into the system, permitting to significantly expand the system application field in flotation processes optimization.

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