Bench scale tests utilizing nitrogen were used tostudy flotation of copper and gold ores. In the case the of thecopper ore, the injection of compressed air was also tested and,like nitrogen, proved its effectiveness in flotation whencollectorless or low collector dosages were used. In the case ofthe auriferous ore the introduction of nitrogen in a first stagewas detrimental for gold recovery. For a second stage, thenitrogen enhanced the selectivity, increasing grade and recoveryof gold in comparison to standard tests. The results point out thepossibility of reduction in collector consumption through theintroduction of a collectorless flotation step employing nitrogen.
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