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Flotation

Flotation is a mineral processing technology used to separate valuable minerals from gangue material based on differences in surface chemistry and hydrophobicity. The process involves grinding ore to a fine particle size and mixing it with water to create a slurry, which is then treated with chemical reagents called collectors, frothers and modifiers. Air is introduced into the slurry, creating bubbles that selectively attach to hydrophobic mineral particles, causing them to rise to the surface as a froth concentrate while hydrophilic gangue particles sink to the bottom as tailings. Flotation is widely employed in the mining industry to concentrate sulphide ores of copper, lead, zinc, nickel and other base metals, as well as precious metals such as gold and platinum-group metals. The technology is also used to process industrial minerals including phosphates, potash and fluorite, and has applications in coal beneficiation and rare-earth element extraction. Modern flotation circuits typically consist of multiple stages including rougher, scavenger and cleaner cells to maximise recovery and grade of the target minerals. The efficiency of flotation depends on factors such as particle size, reagent dosage, pH, pulp density and residence time. Flotation was first developed commercially in the early twentieth century and has since become one of the most important and versatile mineral separation technologies in the global mining sector. Advances in flotation technology continue to focus on improving selectivity, reducing reagent consumption and processing increasingly complex and low-grade ores.

Flotation Updates


Hualilan project area in Argentina
Challenger confirms low-cost startup to Hualilan gold project
18th May 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Challenger Gold has announced Peter Marrone as its chairperson-elect pending shareholder approval in June, the appointment of Yohann Bouchard as COO, an A$85-million private placement... 


An image of the Kabanga project site
Critical minerals mine inching towards construction
15th May 2026 By: Trent Roebeck

The completion of a feasibility study on the Kabanga nickel project, in Tanzania, in July 2025 was a “defining moment” for the project owner, modern metals developer Lifezone Metals, and for the... 


The Omitiomire copper project site
Appian acquires majority stake in Namibia copper project
14th May 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Investment adviser Appian Capital Advisory has acquired a 95% controlling equity interest in the Omitiomire copper project (Omico Copper), in Namibia, and says about $400-million in development... 


Where corrosion meets control
Where corrosion meets control
13th May 2026

(Virtual Showroom) Reliable level measurement is essential in copper and cobalt processing, and at KCC, VEGA Controls (Pty) Ltd is helping ensure uninterrupted operations with robust vibrating... 


An image of the Wicheeda camp
Defense Metals starts pilot flotation test programme at Canada project
13th May 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

TSX-V-listed Defense Metals has started a confirmatory pilot flotation plant test programme for its wholly-owned Wicheeda rare earth project, located near Prince George, British Columbia, Canada.... 


The Rietberg mine
Copper 360 shifts focus to underground development at higher-grade Rietberg
12th May 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Northern Cape-focused copper company Copper 360's board has approved a strategic operational restructuring focused on accelerating the development of its higher-grade ore at the Rietberg mine and... 


An image of Northbound Processing MD Dr Duarte da Silva
Masterclass unpacks global mining waste opportunity
8th May 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

As traditional ore grades continue to decline and global demand for critical minerals increases, historic tailings dams and mine waste deposits present strategic, high-value resource assets, with... 


Rare earths ore
Victory Metals finds ways to lower North Stanmore costs in PFS testwork
4th May 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Victory Metals has finalised key metallurgical testwork inputs for its prefeasibility study (PFS) on the North Stanmore heavy rare earths project, in Western Australia. These final... 


Drill core from the Hope and Gorop project
Hope and Gorob copper/gold project, Namibia – update
10th April 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Bezant Resources announced a new mineral resource estimate for the Hope deposit, part of the wider Hope and Gorob project, on April 8, 2026. 


Image of the FLS Tower Mill
Rising popularity of vertical grinding solutions
2nd April 2026

According to FLS global product line manager for vertical regrind mills Peter Wulff, growing pressure to reduce energy consumption in mining operations is increasing the focus on technologies such... 


Vertical grinding meets demands of decarbonisation, lower grades
Vertical grinding meets demands of decarbonisation, lower grades
13th March 2026

Although vertical mills have long been part of full-flowsheet provider FLS’s comminution portfolio, the company continues to advance this technology to enhance metal recovery and support its... 


Premier concludes contract for Zulu flotation plant
11th February 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Aim-listed Premier African Minerals announces that its subsidiary Zulu Lithium has concluded the procurement, installation and commissioning contract with Xinhai Technology Processing’s... 


Image of US map/flag
Copperwood project, US – update
6th February 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Highland Copper has outlined its 2026 work programme to advance the project towards a construction decision. 


Aerial view of the Lumwana mine
Lumwana superpit expansion project, Zambia – update
23rd January 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Barrick Gold has chosen to use end-to-end mining solutions company Metso’s Concorde Cell flotation technology. 


Lumwana mine, in Zambia
Barrick deploys Metso Concorde Cell tech at Lumwana
19th January 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Global gold and copper producer Barrick Mining Corporation has chosen to use end-to-end mining solutions company Metso’s Concorde Cell flotation technology at its Lumwana expansion project, in... 


Image of Metso OKTOP Conditioner
Improving flotation performance in minerals processing
21st November 2025

Metso has announced the launch of a redefined OKTOP conditioner product series, designed to enhance flotation performance in minerals processing. The conditioners are located before the flotation... 


Southern African coking coal tailings could be profitably reprocessed, study finds
14th October 2025 By: Darren Parker

Southern African coking coal tailings that have been exposed on the surface for more than a decade could be profitably reprocessed, according to a study presented by Enprotec principal technology... 


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