Dr Rob Coleman, Outotec’s Flotation Manager – Minerals Processing, explains that the selection of the size, number and type of flotation cells for a particular duty depends on two important factors. The required flotation residence time and the physical constraints of how much concentrate can be recovered for a given froth surface area and concentrate lip length. The residence time is influenced by ore type and characteristics such as liberation, kinetics and reagent dosage. Looking at the amount of concentrate that can be recovered, it also depends on ore type and additional characteristics such as particle size, specific gravity and mineral grade. (more…)