PROFLOTE MAGNETIC CONDITIONING

Fine Mineral Recovery

Fine mineral particles can carry valuable metal into flotation tailings. Even when liberated, these particles can have a low probability of colliding with and attaching to air bubbles. ProFlote™ magnetic conditioning is designed to improve recovery by selectively aggregating suitable paramagnetic minerals.

How Magnetic Conditioning Works

ProFlote exposes slurry to a high-gradient magnetic field. Suitable paramagnetic particles become magnetised and form aggregates, increasing their effective size and improving particle–bubble interaction during flotation. This is a conditioning process, rather than magnetic separation.

Where ProFlote Can Be Applied

Units can be installed in conditioning tanks and flotation cells. Suitability depends on the ore mineralogy, magnetic susceptibility, size distribution of metal losses and circuit conditions. Assessment focuses on whether the valuable minerals respond to magnetic conditioning and where the recovery opportunity exists.

Evidence From Operating Plants

The Technical Papers collection includes research and plant trials across copper, zinc and other sulfide flotation circuits. Recent additions cover:

• Atalaya Mining — Magnetic Conditioning In The Rougher Flotation Circuit
• Sandfire MATSA — Magnetic Conditioning In Ultra-Fine Grinding Process Plants
• Escondida — Testing At The Laguna Seca Concentrator

Results are specific to each ore and circuit. The papers describe the trial conditions, analysis and reported performance.

Evaluating A Recovery Opportunity

A plant evaluation considers mineralogy and magnetic response alongside metal distribution by particle size. Paired ProFlote ON/OFF trials can then assess the recovery effect under operating conditions, with the schedule and analysis designed around the circuit’s residence time and recirculating loads.