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• Napier-Munn, T
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Minerals 2013, 3(1), 1-15; doi:10.3390/min3010001

Review

Integrated Approaches for the Study of Real Mineral Flotation Systems

Andrea Gerson ^1,*  and Tim Napier-Munn ²

¹ Minerals and Materials Science & Technology, Mawson Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA5095, Australia ² Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre, University of Queensland, QLD 4068, Australia

* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 30 September 2012; in revised form: 16 December 2012 / Accepted: 19 December 2012 / Published: 8 January 2013

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mineral Processing)

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Abstract: It is more common than not, for mineral processing studies to proceed via the examination of model flotation systems with the resulting data often lacking statistical verification. The resultant concentrates and tails may then be subjected to a restricted range of analyses, for diagnosis of the flotation behavior variations observed, that themselves bias the outcomes. For instance surface analysis may be undertaken without reference to solution speciation, or liberation may be studied but surface speciation may not be taken into account. We propose an integrated approach whereby firstly the flotation data are vigorously scrutinized and the mineralogy, liberation, surface and solution speciation are examined in parallel to establish a chemical over view of the system. It is proposed that to make progress in the understanding of flotation systems, in terms of the minerals chemistry, that a multi-dimensional analytical approach is utilized and that the focus shifts towards the analysis of real ores and industrial flotation systems.

Keywords: flotation; statistical analysis; mineralogy; solution speciation; surface analysis

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