Reagent cost reduction in flotation of copper sulphide ores

In this thesis, cost reduction of collector is studied with the use of alternative collectors which can be an alternative to the high-cost copper collector used in Çayeli Bakır İşletmeleri Copper Zinc Sulphide Plant. In the study, two different campaigns processed at the mineral processing plant were used. The first one is classified as the yellow campaign in which primary copper minerals such as chalcopyrite are processed, the other is classified as a clastic campaign with bornite having sphalerite and secondary copper minerals. Within the scope of the study, flotation tests were performed by using seven different collectors. These collectors are Aerofin 3418A, Aero 5100, Aero 3894, Aerofloat 208, D19J, DLQ 468, and sodium isopropyl xanthate. In the kinetic flotation tests, the conditions of the flotation plant were applied as it is as a base condition for all alternative collectors. In later tests, the performances of different dosages and mixtures of collectors were examined to optimise plant recovery and grade. The long-term data collection study was initiated in plant scale using 75% Aeroflot 208 - 25% Aerophine 3418A, which is found to be the optimum condition at batch scale flotation tests. These collected data were analyzed statistically and the economic return of the use is considered as as 224 K USD annually.