The effect of varios methods of conditioning on subsequent flotation performance was reviewed, where complex interactions involving attrition, aggregation, dispersion and surface cleaning were discussed. The present study focussed on the influences of standard laboratory cell conditioning. ultrasonic disperison and high intensity conditioning on copper mineral flotation characteristics. The effect of substituting demineralised water for the WMC plant water was also examined. It was found that higher copper concentrate grades were often obtained using demineralised water, however the use of high intensity conditioning in mill water gave the highest copper recovery and highest flotation rate constant. This process should be considered if the drop is due to surface oxidation of the copper minerals. Other methods of conditioning (cell and ultrasonic techniques) improved the rate of copper floation above that obtained in the virtual absence of conditioning, showing the importance of conditioning on subsequent flotation operaitons.
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