Discussion - Selective Flocculation-Flotation Of Slimes From Sylvinite Ore – Discussion – Huiatt, J. L.

Insoluble slimes are present in nearly all sylvinite ore bodies and must be removed prior to potash flotation because they adsorb excessive amounts of potash flotation reagents and cause low potash recoveries and grades. The problems associated with insoluble slimes will become more pronounced as high grade-low insol potash ores are depleted and lower grade ores containing high insols are processed. The most common commercial practice for insoluble slimes removal is mechanical desliming (hydroclassification); however, most of these desliming circuits were designed to treat sylvinite ores containing less than 4 percent insoluble slimes. As Mr. Banks mentioned in his presentation, higher insoluble slimes concentrations (>4 pct) in the mill feed overtax the mechanical desliming circuit and result in excessive brine and potash losses. Increasing the capacity of the circuit would require redesigning of the entire potash circuit and additional costly equipment. Because of mineralization and liberation properties of the high insols sylvinite deposits, the expansion of the desliming circuit may not economically maintain high potash grades and recoveries. Selective flocculation-flotation is an excellent alternative for removing insoluble slimes from potash ores. Cominco's ore, containing 4.5 to 8 percent insoluble slimes, is particularly amenable to the slimes flotation process, probably because of the absence of expanding-type clays such as montmorillonite. The overall potash recovery of 86 percent and low slime flocculant and collector dosages of 0.03 to 0.04 pound reagent per ton of feed is good evidence of the success of the process. If appreciable montmorillonite were present, the metallurgy would not be as favorable and reagent consumptions would increase significantly.