Arsenic-rejection flotation circuit design and selection based on a multiple-objective evaluation

► A shortcut computational method to analyse and compare alternative flotation circuits was developed. ► Several metrics were considered, including Cu and As grade, CO2 emission, income, and water usage. ► An Australian sulphide ore containing chalcopyrite, tennantite, quartz and pyrite was studied. ► This study shows that the flotation stage recoveries can be assumed constant with the aim of selecting the best circuits.