AEROPHINE® Flotation Reagents
Maximize the value extracted from every tonne of ore processed
AEROPHINEⓇ is a unique family of collectors for base metal ores and also finds use as reagents for precious metal mining. The AEROPHINEⓇ family offers the best of both worlds: excellent base metal grade and recovery, combined with industry-leading precious metal recovery in the flotation of polymetallic ores. Based on phosphine, which imparts unique properties relative to conventional chemistries, these promoters are a go-to for mines in more than 30 countries. Whether your operation processes complex polymetallic, copper-bearing or nickel-bearing ores, AEROPHINEⓇ - especially AEROPHINEⓇ 3418A - is ideal for mines searching for a step change in performance.
Industry-Leading Precious and Base Metal Ore Collectors
Boost ROI 500% or greater by improving precious metal recovery
Syensqo supports plants in aligning metallurgical targets with revenue goals. AEROPHINEⓇ helps polymetallic mines and copper mines with precious metal content improve silver flotation, with recovery gains of 3 to 5 percent, and increase gold recovery by 1 to 2 percent. These results are often achieved using significantly lower dosages than competing chemistries while delivering a return on investment (ROI) of up to 500 percent or greater, leading to significant metallurgical gains and improvements to Net Smelter Return (NSR) for mining operations.
Deliver a step change improvement in Net Smelter Return (NSR)
A strong understanding of the fundamentals of NSR enables mines to achieve their short- and long-term metallurgical targets and revenue goals. When making decisions based on NSR, reagent chemistry is a key lever metallurgists can pull to maximize their returns. AEROPHINEⓇ improves precious and base metal concentrate grades while minimizing penalty element content, thus enabling maximum value to be extracted from every tonne of ore processed.
Plant Objectives:
- Improve lead circuit performance by increasing lead and silver recovery through flotation, while minimizing sulfide gangue recovery and reducing losses of zinc to the lead concentrate.
- Pb: 3-4%, Zn: 5-7%, Ag: 50-90g/t, Fe: 9-11%
Results:
- Lead and silver recovery increased in the roughers and in the final lead concentrate.
- Pyrite was rejected to a greater extent in the roughers and in the final lead concentrate, while Zn content reporting to the lead concentrate was maintained.
Pb Concentrate | AEROPHINEⓇ 3418A | Xanthate | AEROPHINEⓇ 3418A vs. Xanthate | Confidence of difference |
Dosage (g/t) per %Pb in feed | 28 | 63 | -50% | - |
Pb Rougher Grade (%) | 25 | 22 | +3 | >99% |
Pb Recovery (%) | 77 | 75 | +2 | >99% |
Pb Grade (%) | 51 | 50 | +1 | >95% |
Ag Recovery (%) | 60 | 54 | +6 | >99% |
Ag Grade (g/t) | 705 | 653 | +52 | >95% |
Fe Grade (%) | 10 | 11 | -1 | >99% |
Zn Grade (%) | 9.8 | 9.7 | +0.1 | >90% |
ROI: 926% | Estimated NSR/Year: $8.4M
Plant Objectives:
- Improve lead circuit performance by increasing silver and lead recovery, while minimizing any increases in sulphide gangue recovery and reducing losses of zinc to the lead concentrate.
- Pb: 1.5%, Zn: 2.5%, Ag: 30g/t
Results:
Analysis of metallurgical data comparing pre- and post-trial periods indicated improvements in overall metallurgy, including an increase in lead recovery and grade through lead flotation, and increases in both silver recovery and grade in the lead concentrate through silver flotation. No negative impacts were observed in the Zn circuit.
|
Pb Concentrate |
AEROPHINEⓇ 3410 |
Xanthate |
AEROPHINEⓇ 3410 vs. Xanthate |
Confidence of difference |
|
Dosage (g/t) per %Pb in feed |
5.6 |
7.5 |
-25% |
- |
|
Pb Recovery (%) |
88.5 |
83.5 |
+5 |
>99% |
|
Pb Grade (%) |
56.5 |
53 |
+3.5 |
>80% |
|
Ag Recovery (%) |
64 |
58 |
+6 |
>99% |
|
Ag Grade (g/t) |
831 |
744 |
+86 |
>99% |
|
Zn Concentrate |
AEROPHINE 3410 |
SIPX |
Performance Delta |
Confidence of difference |
|
Zn Recovery (%) |
92.3 |
92.4 |
-0.17 |
61% |
|
Zn Grade (%) |
50.3 |
50.0 |
+0.31 |
18% |
ROI: 3626% | Estimated NSR/Year: $3.2M
Cutting-Edge Mining Reagents for Separations
A step change in separation efficiency for improved metallurgical outcomes
AEROPHINEⓇ promoters offer improved flotation rates and superior selectivity against non-value metals, driving excellent separation efficiency compared to xanthates and DTP collectors. The product family ultimately improves grade and recovery with minimal additional treatment cost.
Notably, AEROPHINEⓇ base metal ore collectors are highly selective for the separation of copper from copper-zinc ores and lead from lead-zinc ores, rejecting iron sulfides, arsenopyrite and penalty element sulfides. Through the use of AEROPHINEⓇ collectors for precious metal flotation, many mines see a step change in separation efficiency and recovery of precious metals, such as silver and gold, into lead and copper concentrates.
AEROPHINEⓇ flotation reagents’ use is increasingly common in copper mines where ores contain high precious metal content (gold and silver), as miners seek to improve their precious metal recovery to copper concentrate.
Easier and safer to handle
AEROPHINEⓇ can be added to different locations within the circuit, and due to its versatility, AEROPHINEⓇ is compatible with a wide range of circuit configurations. Aside from ease of use, AEROPHINEⓇ offers an improved toxicity profile, another distinct advantage over competing chemistries such as xanthates. It is also safer for employees to handle as it does not decompose into byproducts or offgas. And unlike competing products, AEROPHINEⓇ promoters are not considered “dangerous goods” and, therefore, are not subject to Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) requirements.