RE: Feeling Positive20 Feb 2026 18:26
The paper summary AI: Key Findings on Fine Recovery ... NOTE: this is for copper ore and sulphite... LWP is mainly ore?
The paper explicitly addresses the challenge of fine copper recovery (specifically particles finer than 38 µm) within the Kansanshi circuit:
Low Initial Recovery: Early mineralogical studies found that while recoveries were stable in the -150 µm to +38 µm range, they were significantly poor for both coarse (+150 µm) and fines (-38 µm).
Rougher Stage Losses: During the initial sulphide pre-flotation (rougher stage), there was poor recovery of the fine fraction despite fairly good mineral liberation.
Sulphidisation Challenges: Even after the first stage of Controlled Potential Sulphidisation (CPS 1), researchers observed "very low recovery in the fines fraction (-38 µm)".
Mineral-Specific Issues: Liberated chalcopyrite (a primary sulphide) and malachite (an oxide) were major contributors to losses in the tails, representing 16% and 28% of total losses respectively, often due to slow floating tendencies or inefficient sulphidisation of these fine particles.
+1
Summary of Circuit Optimization
To combat these losses, FQM implemented a US$19 million expansion and optimization program:
Increased Residence Time: The total flotation volume was increased from 900 m³ to up to 2100 m³, effectively extending residence time from 20 minutes to between 30–60 minutes. This was crucial for capturing "slow-floating" minerals like chalcopyrite.
Additional Sulphidisation Stages: The number of sulphidisation intervals was doubled from two to four stages. This allowed for better recovery of liberated minerals that were previously lost at the end of the circuit.
Cleaning Capacity Expansion: To handle the higher "mass pull" from the extended roughing banks, the cleaner/re-cleaner capacity was increased from 288 m³ to 1220 m³ in 2014, which successfully reduced insoluble impurities in the final concentrate.
Proven Results: Statistical F-tests confirmed that the increased residence time (moving from 20 to 45 minutes) resulted in a 7.45% improvement in recovery with 100% confidence.
Relevance to Your "Jubilee vs. FQM" Thesis
This paper serves as technical evidence for your earlier point: large-scale operators like First Quantum have historically struggled with ultrafine copper recovery (the -38 µm fraction). While FQM successfully optimized their circuit to recover more of the slow-floating minerals through massive scale and residence time, the paper confirms that fines remained a persistent metallurgical challenge. This supports the gap in the market that Jubilee Metals aims to fill with its specialized "fine recovery" modular technology.
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