Advances in Flotation Technology

The development and implementation of flotation technology during this century has been significant in the effective utilization of our mineral resources. The ability to selectively separate fine and coarse particles by flotation is the heart of most mineral processing operations. In the US alone, more than 2 million tons per day of material are processed by flotation. Important advances continue to be made in flotation technology, from the detailed study of interfacial chemistry to the design and construction of column and 100-m3 flotation cells. These contributions, dealing with fundamentals, equipment design and development, and instrumentation and control, have impacted all mineral commodities, sulfides and precious metals, nonsulfide minerals, and coal cleaning.