Using a flotation column for copper-molybdenum separation can be an effective approach in mineral processing. Flotation columns offer several advantages over conventional flotation cells, including improved selectivity, higher recovery rates, and reduced footprint.

      Flotation columns can provide enhanced separation efficiency for copper-molybdenum ores due to their longer residence time, which allows for better kinetics and improved selectivity. However, the success of using flotation columns depends on factors such as ore mineralogy, particle size distribution, and the specific flotation conditions employed. Additionally, operational parameters such as air flow rate, froth depth, and reagent dosages must be carefully optimized to achieve the desired separation performance.

Below are one of our cases:

A large copper mine in China is a large-scale primary impregnated skarn-type copper deposit, with native sulfide ores accounting for more than 95% of the total ore reserves, and oxide ores and mixed ores accounting for a small proportion.

The main useful components in the ore are Cu, with a grade of 0.71%; followed by Mo, with a content of 0.02%, which can be comprehensively recovered. The main gangue components in the ore are SiO2 and CaO, with contents of 31.90% and 28.60%, respectively.

Due to the high carbonate content in the original ore, secondary slime is easily produced during grinding, which affects flotation, and after analysis and discussion, it is determined that this is the main reason affecting the indicators of molybdenum concentrate. According to the analysis conclusions, the rectification plan is determined as follows: the original copper-molybdenum separation process flowsheet is changed from one roughing, one scavenging, and four cleaning to two cleanings, using two flotation columns instead of the original four cleanings.

After the transformation, the grade of molybdenum concentrate increased from 36% to 46.5%, and the recovery rate increased from about 65% to over 72%, achieving significant economic benefits.