Investigation

of the floatability behaviour of Copper

from Frontier Ore
(On-site testwork 16/09/13 – 17/09/13)

Muhammed Ahmed Vawda

Ryan Barham

Axis House Research & Development

Frontier Date: 03/10/2013

Contents
1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Objective ......................................................................................................................................... 3
3. Experimental Procedure ................................................................................................................. 2
4. Results ............................................................................................................................................. 3
4.1 Iron Depressant....................................................................................................................... 3
4.2 AM2A – Oxide collector .......................................................................................................... 5
5. Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................... 7
6. Acknowledgements......................................................................................................................... 7

List of Figures
Figure 1: Total iron recovery versus grade (cyclone overflow).............................................................. 3
Figure 2: Total copper recovery versus grade (cyclone overflow) ......................................................... 4
Figure 3: Total copper recovery versus grade (dry sample) .................................................................. 5
Figure 4: Acid soluble copper recovery versus grade (dry sample) ....................................................... 6

Frontier Date: 03/10/2013

 1. Introduction

Axis House was on site in February 2013 where test work was carried out in your laboratory
and we assisted your staff in setting up your lab equipment.

In May 2013 we received an ore sample and various tests were carried out at the Axis House
metallurgical lab in Cape Town. Results from extensive testing indicated that the grade of
copper could be increased by depressing iron in the ore. Axis House reconfirmed these
findings on site, with less focus on iron depression as Frontier is currently able to produce a
saleable concentrate. Tests were also conducted on a mixed ore using AM2A.

AM2A is a collector for oxide minerals. It attaches to the surface of minerals like Malachite,
Chrysocolla, Cupride and pseudo malachite without prior- sulphidisation. AM2A is also
known to float tarnished sulfide minerals like Chalcocite, Bornite and Chalcopyrite. In
addition, AM2A is used in conjunction with NaHS and sulphide collectors or fatty acid
collectors in the flotation of oxide minerals. Apart from improving metallurgical
performance, introduction of AM2A at plant level has on many occasions reduced the
consumption of other reagents like frother (by 80-100%) and NaHS (by 15-40%).

2. Objective

The objective of this report is to present the improvement in flotation response of copper
obtained at the Frontier on-site lab facility with respect to the following areas of interest:

 Increasing acid soluble copper recovery/grade with AM2A

 Increasing copper grade using specialised Axis House depressant

Investigation on floatability
 3. Experimental Procedure

Frontier’s standard batch flotation test procedure was followed for all tests. Tests were
carried out on two sets of ore:

1. Cyclone Overflow – fresh from plant (17/09/2013)

TCu: 0.77% TFe: 2.83%
2. Dry Sample – milled for 15 minutes (17/09/2013)
TCu: 0.45% AsCu: 0.13%

A standard was found for each ore sample. Three concentrates and a tail were collected for
each test. Overall reagent dosage is displayed in the table below.

Table 1: Test log sheet data

MX5149 Frother Lime MoDep AM2A

Test
(drps) (drps) (pH) (g/t) (g/t)
Standard - 1 - - -
Cyclone
pH 11 - 1 pH 11 - -
Overflow
pH 11, MoDep - 1 pH 11 400 -
Standard 1 9 - - -
Dry
AM2A: 20 1 6 - - 20
Sample
AM2A: 50 1 4 - - 50

NB: Feed ore samples per day were analysed with respect to the day (i.e. Standard was
repeated each day and compared to test results for that day only)

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 4. Results

4.1 Iron Depressant

Figure 1 below displays the total iron recovery and grade.

Figure 1: Total iron recovery versus grade (cyclone overflow)

Increasing the pH using lime helps reduce the recovery of iron.

This effect is further attained with the addition of MoDep. Iron recovery was thus reduced
by 7.8%.

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Figure 2 below displays the total copper recovery versus grade.

Figure 2: Total copper recovery versus grade (cyclone overflow)

The recovery of Copper when using lime and MoDep at 400 g/t is lower than the standard.
This could be explained by an overdose of MoDep. Previous tests carried out at Axis House
facilities had a higher iron content than that tested on-site hence less depressant would be
required than the established optimum.

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 4.2 AM2A – Oxide collector
Figure 3 below displays the effect of AM2A on the mixed ore containing oxide copper
minerals.

Figure 3: Total copper recovery versus grade (dry sample)

From Figure 3 it is apparent that AM2A increases the grade dramatically. Due to the oxide
content (30%) being higher than anticipated, AM2A and frother were under-dosed. Lack of
froth hindered mobility.

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Figure 4 below displays the acid soluble copper recovery versus grade.

Figure 4: Acid soluble copper recovery versus grade (dry sample)

The same trend is observed in the recovery of acid soluble copper. AM2A made the froth
selective towards AsCu, however more pulling power was required, i.e. more AM2A.

AM2A can be added upfront in the circuit in addition to the normal reagent suite when the
oxide content increases.

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 5. Conclusion

Axis House depressant MoDep has successfully decreased the iron recovery; however the
total copper recovery was affected as well. It is proposed to carry out the test at a lower
dosage to compensate for the lower iron feed grade and find the balance in depressing iron
sulphide minerals without hindering the floatability of copper-iron bearing minerals

AM2A had a positive response in the mixed ore, increasing the grade drastically. Due to the
lower frother dosage, mobility of the froth was reduced therefore keeping recovery
constant. It is recommended to add a higher dose of AM2A at higher oxide feed contents.

6. Acknowledgements

Axis House would like to acknowledge the following staff members of Frontier for their
time, assistance and carrying out the analysis of the lab test samples:

Colin Campbell

Chama Kapambwe

Patrick Chey

Kera Machola

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