RE: Info latest RNSToday 18:38
From the RNS.......
“Whole-of-ore flotation confirms selective recovery of titanium minerals with rejection of more than 90% of unwanted gangue, producing concentrate grades above 34% TiO2.”
I didn't understand this bit so I AI'd it. Answer copied below if anyone else needs it.
Whole‑of‑ore flotation is a mineral‑processing strategy in which the entire ore, without prior removal of waste rock (gangue) through pre‑concentration steps such as gravity separation or optical sorting, is ground and sent directly to flotation.
The core idea is simple: instead of upgrading the ore first and only floating the enriched fraction, everything goes into the flotation circuit.
⚡ Concise takeaway
Whole‑of‑ore flotation means flotation is applied to 100% of the mined ore, relying entirely on chemical conditioning and froth flotation to separate valuable minerals from gangue.
🔍 How it works (based on flotation fundamentals)
Whole‑of‑ore flotation uses the same mechanisms as standard froth flotation:
Ore is crushed and ground to liberate mineral particles.
Slurry is conditioned with collectors, frothers, and modifiers to make target minerals hydrophobic.
Air bubbles are introduced, and hydrophobic particles attach and rise to form a froth.
Froth is skimmed to produce concentrate; hydrophilic gangue remains as tailings.
The difference is not in the mechanism, but in the scope: no pre‑treatment to remove barren material.
🧭 When whole‑of‑ore flotation is used
It is typically chosen when:
Ore grades are low, making pre‑concentration ineffective.
Minerals are finely disseminated, requiring full grinding anyway.
Pre‑concentration methods fail due to similar physical properties between ore and gangue.
High recoveries are essential, even at the cost of higher processing volumes.
📈 Advantages
Maximises recovery of fine or complex mineralisation.
Simplifies flowsheet (no dense‑media separation, no sorting).
Ensures all liberated mineral reaches flotation.
⚠️ Disadvantages / trade‑offs
Higher energy consumption (full‑ore grinding).
Larger flotation circuits required to handle full tonnage.
Higher reagent consumption, since gangue also consumes reagents.
Potentially lower selectivity, because more gangue enters the system.
🧪 Typical applications
Whole‑of‑ore flotation is common in:
Copper porphyries
Gold‑copper systems (e.g., refractory ores)
Polymetallic sulphide deposits
Fine‑grained tungsten, fluorite, and phosphate ores where liberation requires full grinding.
Nice RNS.
GLA
Danno