Anionic Flotation Of Gásgruvan Limestone: A Comparision Of Conventional And Column Flotation

The limestone deposit of Gâsgruvan, Sweden contains around 89.2 per cent of calcite. Conventional and column flotation studies have been carried out using sodium oleate and modified fatty acid collectors in the presence of sodium silicate modifier. The effects of collector and silicate concentrations, and particle size on the flotation response of calcite have been investigated. The results have been discussed in comparision to the performance of conventional and column flotation cells. The feed size is found to be a significant factor to achieve a high grade calcite concentrate either by conventional or by column flotation. The loss of selectivity at fine particle sizes is examined using a modified DLVO theory.