Challenges and opportunities in the recovery/rejection of trace elements in copper flotation-a review

• Optimum Au recovery in Cu–Au flotation is limited by inherent low grade and fine grain size of the mineralisation.
• Detailed mineralogical characterisation and subsequent collector optimisation are required for improved Au flotation.
• Optimum Au liberation, but not over-grinding is necessary for improved Au flotation.
• Detailed mineralogical characterisation is required to maximise U, As or F rejection.

In most copper sulphide flotation processes, optimising recovery of trace elements such as gold or maximising the rejection of penalty elements such as uranium, arsenic and fluorine remains a major metallurgical challenge. This review looks at the existing and possible strategies of improving gold recovery in porphyry copper ores and rejection of penalty elements such as uranium, arsenic and fluorine in copper flotation concentrates.