Introduction to Gold Flotation Process

Gold flotation is a beneficiation technology widely used in gold ore processing. Its purpose is to separate gold minerals from gangue minerals by physical and chemical methods, thereby improving the gold recovery rate and concentrate grade.

With the increasing depletion of global gold resources and the improvement of environmental protection requirements, flotation technology plays an increasingly important role in the processing of gold ores.

Basic principles of gold flotation

Gold flotation is based on the differences in the physical and chemical properties of the mineral surface. By adding flotation agents and adjusting the chemical environment of the pulp, the surface properties of gold minerals are changed, making it easy to attach to bubbles, float to the surface of the pulp with bubbles to form foam products, and achieve separation from gangue minerals.

Selection of flotation agents

Floatation agents are one of the key factors affecting flotation effects. Commonly used flotation agents include collectors, frothers and regulators. Collectors such as yellow medicine and black medicine can enhance the hydrophobicity of gold minerals and make them easy to float; foaming agents such as pine oil and toluene are used to form stable foam; and adjusters are used to adjust the pH value of the pulp and improve flotation conditions.

Flotation process

The gold flotation process usually includes the following steps:

Crushing and grinding: crush the gold ore to a suitable particle size to expose the gold minerals.

Pulping: add water and adjusters to the pulp after grinding to adjust the pH value to a suitable range.

Flotation dosing: add collectors and foaming agents for flotation.

Flotation process: through aeration and stirring, the gold minerals are attached to the bubbles and float to the surface to form foam.

Foam enrichment: scrape out the gold-enriched foam as gold concentrate.

Tailings treatment: the remaining pulp is discharged as tailings, which can be further processed or discharged.

Innovation and development of flotation technology

With the advancement of technology, gold flotation technology is also constantly innovating. For example, using high-gradient magnetic separation to pre-treat difficult-to-separate gold ore to improve flotation efficiency; developing new environmentally friendly flotation agents to reduce the impact on the environment; and using biotechnology to improve flotation effects.