Investigating alternative water treatment method to improve flotation response

The process water quality has a great impact on mineral flotation performance. The nickel recovery deteriorates every summer in the Kevitsa processing plant, and it has been linked to poor process water quality. The process water quality varies due to seasonal changes in Kevitsa. Methods for improving process water quality to reduce its negative impact on flotation performance during the summer were investigated.

The aim of this study was to find an alternative water treatment method to improve flotation response. The negative impact of poor process water quality was limited by pH control. Lime was used to improve the water quality by precipitating the dissolved metals in the aqueous phase which consequently limits ore oxidation, resulting in improved flotation performance.

The tests showed that the using lime as pH modifier improved the nickel flotation performance. However, too alkaline flotation conditions had a negative impact on the nickel recovery due to excess lime in the flotation limiting the recovery of nickel and iron.