3. What is a flotation optimiser?
The effectiveness of a collector depends on the surface properties of the value and gangue minerals. Usually, the collectors are optimised to adsorb strongly to the value mineral surface to render them hydrophobic. Clay, other sulfide minerals and oxidation processes can change these surface properties and reduce adsorption. Pionera biopolymers disperse these blocking minerals and can make the reagents more effective, resulting in higher recovery.
In other cases, copper-ions are present in the flotation cell due to low-pH processing water or oxidation processes. Pionera products have complexing properties, avoiding the activation of gangue mineral surfaces with copper-ions and, consequently, the adsorption of the collector. Fewer gangue particles will float, resulting in better concentrate grades, specifically in cleaner stages.