About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Characterization of Minerals, Metals and Materials 2026 - In-Situ Characterization Techniques
|
| Presentation Title |
Comparison of Bulk and Differential Flotation of Konkola Ore from Zambia under different conditions |
| Author(s) |
Yotamu Hara, Chilombo Henry, Wilfred Mulenga Mwenya, Cornwell Tepa, Rainford Mulenga Hara, Fredrick Chileshe |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Chilombo Henry |
| Abstract Scope |
With the aim of improving recovery of total copper during flotation of Konkola ore from Chililabombwe district of the Copperbelt province of Zambia, bulk and differential flotation of were studied under different conditions such as collector type, collector dosing, pH, slurry concentration, sulphudiser dosing etc. The ore averages 3.0% total copper of which 10% is acid soluble and the main gangue mineral phases are quartz, mica, feldspar and carbonates. Differential flotation yielded high grade (>35% TCu) and low grade (≈ 7 TCu) concentrate while bulk flotation yielded concentrate grade of about 20% TCu. Recovery of TCu is more sensitive to collector dosing, sulphidiser dosing and slurry concentration than pH, particle size. The feed ore and final tailings were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. About 40% of the copper oxide minerals are locked or chemical dissolved in the silicate phases. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Copper / Nickel / Cobalt, Sustainability, |