3.4.3 Flotation
The second stage in concentrating copper consists of separating valuable minerals from worthless minerals.
This stage is done in small tanks called "flotation cells," where agitators create a froth. Ore dust containing valuable minerals clings to the froth.
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To help the dust to float, chemical reagents, or "frothers," are added, causing strong bubbles to form. The froth is recovered and used in the next stage of processing.
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Waste particles sink to the bottom of the cells. They are recovered and undergo grinding and flotation again to recover as much ore as possible.
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