Mining and MineralsFlotation Circuit Operation and Optimisation
Flotation separates valuable mineral from waste using surface chemistry that a small change in water quality or reagent dosage can disrupt, which is why two plants treating the same ore can recover very differently. This course covers running one well. Delegates work through the surface chemistry behind flotation, reagent suites including collectors, frothers, depressants and activators, and the effect of pulp chemistry, pH and water quality. Cell types, hydrodynamics and froth behaviour are covered. Circuit configuration, rougher, cleaner and scavenger duties and their mass balance follow. The course closes on survey work, grade recovery curves and diagnosing a circuit that has lost recovery.
Course objectives
- Explain the surface chemistry that makes flotation work
- Select and dose collectors, frothers, depressants and activators
- Control pulp chemistry, pH and water quality
- Operate cells and interpret froth behaviour
- Configure rougher, cleaner and scavenger duties
- Mass balance a circuit and construct grade recovery curves
- Diagnose a circuit that has lost recovery
Who should attend
- Metallurgists and process engineers
- Flotation plant operators and supervisors
- Laboratory staff running flotation test work
- Reagent suppliers and technical support staff
- Graduate metallurgists in concentrator operations
Course outline
- 01Why two plants recover differently from the same ore
- 02Surface chemistry of flotation
- 03Reagent suites and their functions
- 04Pulp chemistry, pH and water quality
- 05Cell types and hydrodynamics
- 06Froth behaviour and control
- 07Circuit configuration and mass balance
- 08Surveys, grade recovery curves and diagnosis
Scheduled sessions
| Dates | Venue | Format | Price | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 to 6 November 2026 | Harare, Zimbabwe | Classroom | USD 1,325 per delegate | Register Now |
| 4 to 8 January 2027 | Online | Online | R8,500 per delegate | Register Now |
| 25 to 29 January 2027 | Pretoria, South Africa | Classroom | R19,950 per delegate | Register Now |
| 1 to 5 February 2027 | Cape Town, South Africa | Classroom | R19,950 per delegate | Register Now |