Metallurgy and Mining: Terms and Concepts

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. A Dictionary of Earth Sciences Further reading

flotation process

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

flotation process in mineral treatment and mining, process for concentrating the metal-bearing mineral in an ore . Crude ore is ground to a fine powder and mixed with water, frothing reagents, and collecting reagents. When air is blown through the mixture, mineral particles cling to the bubbles, which rise to form a froth on the surface. The waste material (gangue) settles to the bottom. The froth is skimmed off, and the water and chemicals are distilled or otherwise removed, leaving a clean concentrate. The process, also called the froth-flotation process, is used for a number of minerals, especially silver.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"flotation process." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"flotation process." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-flotatio.html

"flotation process." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-flotatio.html

Learn more about citation styles

flotation separation

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences | 1999 | | Copyright

flotation separation A concentration process where by finely ground ore is dispersed in water containing a flotation reagent which causes selected minerals to become hydrophobic. Aeration and agitation of the suspension allows hydrophobic particles to float while unaffected minerals sink. The floating particles are skimmed off or overflow the flotation cell.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "flotation separation." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "flotation separation." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-flotationseparation.html

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "flotation separation." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-flotationseparation.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

	On the drift-flux analysis of flotation and foam fractionation processes. Magazine article from: Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering; 8/1/2008
	INVESTEC, the South African financial-services group seeking a dual primary... Newspaper article from: Sunday Business (London, England); 6/9/2002
	Cost of capital with flotation costs.(trends of internal rate of return... Magazine article from: Quarterly Journal of Business and Economics; 6/22/2004