Flotation of sulphide minerals from sulphide bearing ore

Claim 2

A PROCESS FOR THE RECOVERY BY FROTH FLOTATION OF MINERALS FROM ORES CONTAINING AT LEAST ONE SULPHIDE MINERAL AND WHEREIN SAID AT LEAST ONE SLPHIDE MINERA IS A MAJOR ECONOMIC COMPONENT OF THE ORE AND WHEREIN A PLUP OF THE ORE HAS BEEN PREPARED CONSISTING OF A PLUP DENSITY SELECTED FROM THE RANGE OF ABOUT 20 TO 60 PERCENT SOLIDS AND SAID OF SAID ORE HAVE BEEN GROUND TO FLOTATION FEED SIZE COMPRISING: SUBJECTING SAID PREPARED PULP OF THE ORE TO CONDITIONING IN AT LEAST ONE AGITATION CONDITIONING CIRCUIT CONSISTING OF AT LEAST ONE ALKALINE AGITATION CONDITIONING STAGE AND AT LEAST THREE AGITATION CONDITIONING STEPS WHEREIN IN SAID AT LEAST THREE ALKALINE AGITATION CONDITIONING STEPS THE CONDITIONING IS CARRIED OUT IN THE PRESENCE OF AN ALKALINE AGENT SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISIING OF LIME OR CALCIUM HYDROXIDE, SDIUM HYDROXIDE, SODIUM CARBONATE, ND AMONIUM HYDROXID AND WHEREIN THE PH OF THE PULP IS AT AT LEAST ONE OPTIMUM PH POINT WIITHIN THE PH RANGE OF ABOUT 8.0 TO 12.0 AND WHEREIN AT LEAST THE FINAL AGITATION CONDITIONING STEP PRIOR TO FLOTATION A SUFFICIENT CONCENTRATION OF COLLECTOR SELECTED FROM THE GROUP OF SULFHYDRYL AMIONIC COLLECTORS IS PRESENT AND SAID CONCENTRATION OF COLLECTOR IS IN THE RAGE OF ABOUT 0.02 TO 0.40 POUNDS PER TON OF ORE AND WHEREIN SAID PULP IS AGITATION CONDITIONED WITH AGITATION CON-

Claim 3

The process of claim 1 wherein said prepared pulp of the ore is the remaining pulp following one or more flotation stages.

Claim 4

The process of claim 1 wherein said prepared pulp of the ore is the slimes product produced in a sands-slime

Claim 5

The process of claim 1 wherein said agitation conditioning circuit contains at least three agitation conditioning steps and wherein in at least two of said steps said sufficient power consumption per ton of ore treated is employed to produce heavy agitation of at least the one said sulphide mineral to achieve high recovery of said at least one sulphide mineral in said at least one subsequent froth flotation stage.

Claim 6

The process of claim 1 wherein there is a dispersing agent present in the pulp in at least the last agitation conditioning step prior to flotation.

Claim 7

The process of claim 1 wherein said at least one agitation conditioning stage in the pH range of about 8.0 to 12.0 is preceeded by at least one agitation conditioning stage in the pH range of about 1.2 to 7.9.

Claim 8

The process of claim 1 wherein said at least one agitation conditioning stage in the pH range of about 8.0 to 12.0 is preceeded by at least one agitation conditioning stage in the pH range of 12.0 to 12.3.

Claim 9

The process of claim 1 wherein there are at least two agitation conditioning stages in the pH range of about 8.0 to 12.0.

Claim 10

The process of claim 1 wherein said agitation conditioning steps are arranged in series.

Claim 11

The process of claim 1 wherein there is a sulphidizing agent present in the pulp in at least the last agitation conditioning step prior to flotation and the sulphidizing agent has been selected from the group consisting of hydrogen sulphide, sodium sulphide, calcium sulphide, and sodium hydrogen sulphide.

Claim 12

The process of claim 1 wherein in addition to treating said prepared pulp of the ore a scavenger flotation concentrate produced from said froth flotation is fed to at least one step of said agitation conditioning circuit.

Claim 13

The process of claim 1 wherein in addition to treating said prepared pulp of the ore at least part or all of one or more cleaner tailings produced from said froth flotation is returned to at least one step of said agitation conditioning circuit.

Claim 14

The process of claim 1 wherein in addition to treating said prepared pulp of the ore at least one flotation cleaner tailing produced from said froth flotation is subjected to agitation conditioning in at least one independent agitation conditioning step prior to being returned to at least one step in said agitation conditioning circuit.

Claim 15

The process of claim 1 wherein in addition to treating said prepared pulp of the ore at least one flotation cleaner tailing produced from said froth flotation is subjected to agitation conditioning in at least one independent agitation conditioning step prior to being fed to a flotation stage.

Claim 16

The process of claim 1 wherein said at least one agitation conditioning stage in the pH range of about 8.0 to 12.0 is preceeded by an acid conditioning stage wherein the pH of the pulp has been lowered by an acid agent selected from the group consisting of sulphuric acid, sulphurous acid, and sulphur dioxide to within the pH range of abOut 1.2 to 6.5.

Claim 17

The process of claim 15 wherein said acid agent is sulphuric acid and is control added to the pulp of the ore on a pounds per ton of ore basis.

Claim 18

The process of claim 15 wherein said acid agent is sulphuric acid and is control added to the pulp of the ore on a ''''pounds per ton or ore-density of the pulp'''' basis.

Claim 19

The process of claim 15 wherein said acid agent is sulphuric acid and is control added to the pulp of the ore to maintain an optimum pH point.

Claim 20

The process of claim 1 wherein said at least one alkaline agitation conditioning stage consists of at least two agitation conditioning steps and said power consumption of said agitation conditioning mechanisms is in range of about 0.17 to 0.53 kilowatt hours per ton of ore treated per 5 minutes residence time of the ore in the said at least one agitation conditioning stage.

Claim 21

The process of claim 1 wherein said at least one alkaline agitation conditioning stage consists of at least two agitation conditioning steps and said power consumption of the agitation conditioning mechanisms is in the range of about 0.22 to 0.82 kilowatt hours per ton of ore treated per 8 minutes residence time of the ore in said at least one agitation conditioning stage.

Claim 22

The process of claim 1 wherein said at least one alkaline agitation conditioning stage consists of at least three agitation conditioning steps and said power consumption of the agitation conditioning mechanisms is in the range of about 0.23 to 0.65 kilowatt hours per ton of ore treated per 6 minutes residence time of the ore in said at least one agitation conditioning stage.

Claim 23

The process of claim 1 wherein said at least one alkaline agitation conditioning stage consists of at least three agitation conditioning steps and said power consumption of the agitation conditioning mechanisms is in the range of about 0.28 to 0.94 kilowatt hours per ton of ore treated per 9 minutes residence time of the ore in said at least one agitation conditioning stage.

Claim 24

The process of claim 1 wherein said at least one alkaline agitation conditioning stage consists of at least four agitation conditioning steps and said power consumption of the agitation conditioning mechanisms is in the range of about 0.34 to 1.06 kilowatt hour per ton of ore treated per 10 minutes residence time of the ore in said at least one agitation conditioning stage.

Claim 25

A process for the recovery by froth flotation of copper minerals from copper bearing ores containing at least one sulphide copper mineral and wherein said at least one sulphide copper mineral is a major economic component of the ore wherein a pulp of the ore has been prepared consisting of a pulp density selected from the range of about 20 to 60 percent solids and wherein said solids of said ore have been ground to flotation feed size comprising: subjecting said prepared pulp of the ore to conditioning in at least one agitation conditioning circuit consisting of at least one alkaline agitation conditioning stage and at least three agitation conditioning steps wherein in said at least three alkaline agitation conditioning steps the conditioning is carried out in the presence of an alkaline agent selected from the group consisting of lime or calcium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate and ammonium hydroxide and wherein the pH of the pulp is at at least one optimum pH point within the pH range of about 8.0 to 12.0 and wherein in at least the final agitation conditioning step prior to flotation a sufficient concentration of collector selected from the group of sulfhydryl anionic collectors is present and said concentration of collector is in the range of about 0.04 to 0.40 pounds per ton of ore and wherein said pulp is agitation conditioned with agitation conditioning mechanisms with sufficient power consumption per ton of ore treated said power consumption being in the range of about 0.12 to 0.40 kilowatt hours per ton of ore per 4.0 minutes residence time of the ore in said at least one agitation conditioning stage and for a sufficiently long period of time and wherein said period of time is in the range of about 4.0 to 30 minutes to produce heavy activation of said at least one copper mineral to achieve high recovery of said at least one copper mineral in at least one subsequent froth flotation stage subsequently in the presence of a suitable frother subjecting said agitation conditioned pulp to froth flotation to produce at least one flotation concentrate enriched in said at least one copper mineral and a tailings impoverished in said at least one copper mineral.

Claim 26

A process for the recovery by froth flotation of copper minerals from copper bearing ores containing at least one sulphide copper mineral and wherein said at least one sulphide copper mineral is a major economic component of the ore wherein a pulp of the ore has been prepared consisting of a pulp density selected from the range of about 20 to 60 percent solids and wherein said solids of said ore have been ground to flotation feed size comprising: subjecting said prepared pulp of the ore to conditioning in at least one agitation conditioning circuit consisting of at least one alkaline agitation conditioning stage and at least three agitation conditioning steps wherein in said at least three alkaline agitation conditioning steps the conditioning is carried out in the presence of an alkaline agent selected from the group consisting of lime or calcium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate and ammonium hydroxide and wherein the pH of the pulp is at at least one optimum pH point within the pH range of about 8.0 to 12.0 and wherein in at least the final agitation conditioning step prior to flotation a sufficient concentration of collector selected from the group of sulfhydryl anionic collectors is present and said concentration of collector is in the range of about 0.04 to 0.40 pounds per ton of ore and wherein said pulp is agitation conditioned with agitation conditioning mechanisms with sufficient power consumption per ton of ore treated said power consumption being in the range of about 0.12 to 0.40 kilowatt hours per ton of ore per 4.0 minutes residence time of the ore in said at least one agitation conditioning stage and for a sufficiently long period of time and wherein said period of time is in the range of about 4.0 to 30 minutes to produce heavy activation of said at least one copper mineral to achieve high recovery of said at least one copper mineral in at least one subsequent froth flotation stage subsequently in the presence of a suitable frother subjecting said agitation conditioned pulp to froth flotation to produce at least one flotation concentrate enriched in said at least one copper mineral and a tailings impoverished in said at least one copper mineral.

Claim 27

The process of claim 24 wherein said prepared pulp of the ore is the remaining pulp following one or more flotation stages.

Claim 28

The process of claim 24 wherein said prepared pulp of the ore is the slimes product produced in a sands-slime split of the ore.

Claim 29

The process of claim 24 wherein said agitation conditioning circuit contains at least three agitation conditioning steps and wherein in at least two of said steps said sufficient power consumption per ton of ore treated is employed to produce heavy activation of said at least one copper mineral to achieve high recovery of said at least one copper mineral in said at least one subsequent froth flotation stage.

Claim 30

The process of claim 24 wherein there is a dispersing agent present in the pulp in at least the last agitation conditioning step prior to flotation.

Claim 31

The process of claim 24 wherein said at least one agitation conditioning stage in the pH range of about 8.0 to 12.0 is preceeded by at least one agitation conditioning stage in the pH range of about 1.2 to 7.9.

Claim 32

The process of claim 24 wherein said at least one agitation conditioning stage in the pH range of about 8.0 to 12.0 is preceeded by at least one agitation conditioning stage in the pH range of 12.0 to 12.3.

Claim 33

The process of claim 24 wherein there are at least two agitation conditioning stages in the pH range of about 8.0 to 12.0.

Claim 34

The process of claim 24 wherein said agitation conditioning steps are arranged in series.

Claim 35

The process of claim 24 wherein there is a sulphidizing agent present in the pulp in at least the last agitation conditioning step prior to the flotation and the sulphidizing agent is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen sulphide, sodium sulphide, calcium sulphide, and sodium hydrogen sulphide.

Claim 36

The process of claim 24 wherein in addition to treating said prepared pulp of the ore, a scavenger flotation concentrate produced from said froth flotation is fed to at least one step of said agitation conditioning circuit.

Claim 37

The process of claim 24 wherein in addition to treating said prepared pulp of the ore at least part or all of one or more cleaner tailings produced from said froth flotation is returned to at least one step of said agitation conditioning circuit.

Claim 38

The process of claim 24 wherein in addition to treating said prepared pulp of the ore at least one flotation cleaner tailing produced from said froth flotation is subjected to agitation conditioning in at least one independent agitation conditioning step prior to being fed to a flotation stage.

Claim 39

The process of claim 24 wherein at least one flotation cleaner tailing is subjected to agitation conditioning in at least one independent agitation conditioning step prior to being fed to a flotation stage.

Claim 40

The process of claim 24 wherein said at least one agitation conditioning stage in the pH range of about 8.0 to 12.0 is preceeded by an acid conditioning stage wherein the pH of the pulp has been lowered by an acid agent selected from the group consisting of sulphuric acid, sulphurous acid, and sulphur dioxide to within the pH range of about 1.2 to 6.5.

Claim 41

THe process of claim 37 wherein said acid agent is sulphuric acid and is control added to the pulp of the ore on a pounds per ton of ore basis.

Claim 42

The process of claim 39 wherein said acid agent is sulphuric acid and is control added to the pulp of the ore on a ''''pounds per ton of ore-density of the pulp'''' basis.

Claim 43

The process of claim 38 wherein said acid agent is sulphuric acid and is control added to the pulp of the ore to an optimum pH point of the pulp of the ore.

Claim 44

The process of claim 24 wherein said at least one alkaline agitation conditioning stage consists of at least two agitation conditioning steps and said power consumption of the said agitation conditioning mechanisms is in range of about 0.17 to 0.53 kilowatt hours per ton of ore treated per 5 minutes residence time of the ore in said at least one agitation conditioning stage.

Claim 45

The process of claim 24 wherein said at least one alkaline agitation conditioning stage consists of at least two agitation conditioning steps and said power consumption of the agitation conditioning mechanisms is in the range of about 0.22 to 0.82 kilowatt hours per ton of ore treated per 8 minutes residence time of the ore in said at least one agitation conditioning stage.

Claim 46

The process of claim 24 wherein said at least one alkaline agitation conditioning stage consists of at least three agitation conditioning steps and said power consumption of the agitation conditioning mechanisms is in the range of about 0.23 to 0.65 kilowatt hours per ton of ore treated per 6 minutes residence time of the ore in said at least one agitation conditioning stage.

Claim 47

The process of claim 24 wherein said at least one alkaline agitation conditioning conditioning stage consists of at least three agitation conditioning steps and said power consumption of the agitation mechanisms is in the range of about 0.28 to 0.94 kilowatt hours per ton of ore treated per 9 minutes residence time of the ore in said at least one agitation conditioning stage.

Claim 48

The process of claim 24 wherein said at least one alkaline agitation conditioning stage consists of at least four agitation conditioning steps and said power consumption of the agitation conditioning mechanisms is in the range of about 0.34 to 1.06 kilowatt hours per ton of ore treated per 10 minutes residence time of the ore in said at least one agitation conditioning stage.

Claim 49

The process of claim 24 wherein said at least one alkaline agitation conditioning stage consists of at least two agitation conditioning steps and said total power consumption of said agitation conditioning mechanisms is in the range of 0.24 to 1.5 kilowatt hours per ton of ore treated and the residence time of the ore in said at least one agitation conditioning stage is in the range of about 8.0 to 20 minutes.

Claim 50

The process of claim 24 wherein said collector is an alkali metal xanthate and said sufficient concentration of collector is a minimum of about 0.10 lbs. per ton of ore treated.

Claim 51

The process of claim 24 wherein said collector is selected from the group consisting of thiols, thiocarbonates, monosubstituted thioureas, and thiophosphates and said sufficient concentration of collector is a minimum of 0.03 lbs. per ton of ore treated.

Claim 52

The process of claim 24 wherein said collector is a combination of alkali metal xanthate and collector selected from the group consisting of thiols, thiocarbonates, monosubstituted thioureas, and thiophosphates and said sufficient concentration of collector is a minimum of 0.05 lbs. per ton of ore treated.

Claim 53

A process for the recovery by froth flotation of nickel minerals from nickel bearing ores containing at least one sulphide nickel mineral and wherein said at least one sulphide nickel mineral is a major economic component of the ore and wherein a pulp of the ore has been prepared consisting of a pulp density selected From the range of about 20 to 60 percent solids and said solids of said ore have been ground to flotation feed size comprising: subjecting said prepared pulp of the ore to conditioning in at least one agitation conditioning circuit consisting of at least one alkaline agitation conditioning stage and at least three agitation conditioning steps wherein in said at least one alkaline agitation conditioning stage the conditioning is carried out in the presence of an alkaline agent selected from the group consisting of lime or calcium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, and ammonium hydroxide and wherein the pH of the pulp is at at least one optimum pH point within the pH range of about 8.0 to 12.0 and wherein in at least the final agitation conditioning step prior to flotation a sufficient concentration of collector selected from the group of sulfhydryl anionic collectors is present and said concentration of collector is in the range of about 0.03 to 0.40 pounds per ton of ore and wherein said pulp is agitation conditioned with agitation conditioning mechanisms with sufficient power consumption per ton of ore treated said power consumption being in the range of about 0.12 to 0.40 kilowatt hours per ton of ore per 4.0 minutes residence time of the ore in said at least one agitation conditioning stage and for a sufficiently long period of time and wherein said period of time is in the range of about 4.0 to 40 minutes to produce heavy activation of said at least one sulphide nickel mineral to achieve high recovery of said at least one nickel mineral in at least one subsequent froth flotation stage: subsequently in the presence of a suitable frother subjecting said agitation conditioned pulp to froth flotation to produce at least one flotation concentrate enriched in said at least one sulphide nickel mineral and a tailings impoverished in said at least one sulphide nickel mineral.

Claim 54

A process for the recovery by froth flotation of nickel minerals from nickel bearing ores containing at least one sulphide nickel mineral and wherein said at least one sulphide nickel mineral is a major economic component of the ore and wherein a pulp of the ore has been prepared consisting of a pulp density selected From the range of about 20 to 60 percent solids and said solids of said ore have been ground to flotation feed size comprising: subjecting said prepared pulp of the ore to conditioning in at least one agitation conditioning circuit consisting of at least one alkaline agitation conditioning stage and at least three agitation conditioning steps wherein in said at least one alkaline agitation conditioning stage the conditioning is carried out in the presence of an alkaline agent selected from the group consisting of lime or calcium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, and ammonium hydroxide and wherein the pH of the pulp is at at least one optimum pH point within the pH range of about 8.0 to 12.0 and wherein in at least the final agitation conditioning step prior to flotation a sufficient concentration of collector selected from the group of sulfhydryl anionic collectors is present and said concentration of collector is in the range of about 0.03 to 0.40 pounds per ton of ore and wherein said pulp is agitation conditioned with agitation conditioning mechanisms with sufficient power consumption per ton of ore treated said power consumption being in the range of about 0.12 to 0.40 kilowatt hours per ton of ore per 4.0 minutes residence time of the ore in said at least one agitation conditioning stage and for a sufficiently long period of time and wherein said period of time is in the range of about 4.0 to 40 minutes to produce heavy activation of said at least one sulphide nickel mineral to achieve high recovery of said at least one nickel mineral in at least one subsequent froth flotation stage: subsequently in the presence of a suitable frother subjecting said agitation conditioned pulp to froth flotation to produce at least one flotation concentrate enriched in said at least one sulphide nickel mineral and a tailings impoverished in said at least one sulphide nickel mineral.

Claim 55

The process of claim 51 wherein said prepared pulp of the ore is the remaining pulp following one or more flotation stages.

Claim 56

The process of claim 51 wherein said agitation conditioning circuit contains at least three agitation conditioning steps and wherein in at least two of said steps said sufficient power consumption per ton of ore treated is employed to produce heavy activation of at least the one said sulphide nickel mineral to achieve high recovery of said at least one sulphide nickel mineral in at least one subsequent froth flotation stage.

Claim 57

The process of claim 51 wherein said sufficiently long period of time to produce heavy activation of said at least one sulphide nickel mineral to achieve high recovery of said at least one sulphide nickel mineral in at least one subsequent froth flotation stage is a minimum period of eight minutes.

Claim 58

The process of claim 51 wherein there is a dispersing agent present in the pulp in at least the last agitation conditioning step prior to flotation.

Claim 59

The process of claim 51 wherein said at least one agitation conditioning stage in the pH range of about 8.0 to 12.0 is preceeded by at least one agitation conditioning stage in the pH range of about 1.2 to 7.9.

Claim 60

The process of claim 51 wherein there are at least two agitation conditioning stages in the pH range of about 8.0 to 12.0.

Claim 61

The process of claim 51 wherein said agitation conditioning steps are arranged in series.

Claim 62

The process of claim 51 wherein in addition to treating said prepared pulp of the ore a scavenger flotation concentrate produced from said froth flotation is fed to at least one step of said agitation conditioning circuit.

Claim 63

The process of claim 51 wherein in addition to treating the prepared pulp of the ore at least part or all of one or more cleaner tailings produced from said froth flotation is returned to at least one step of said agitation conditioning circuit.

Claim 64

The process of claim 51 wherein in additiOn to treating said prepared pulp of the ore at least one flotation cleaner tailing produced from said froth flotation is subjected to agitation conditioning in at least one independent agitation conditioning step prior to being returned to at least one step in said agitation conditioning circuit.

Claim 65

The process of claim 51 wherein in addition to treating said prepared pulp of the ore at least one flotation cleaner tailing produced from said froth flotation is subjected to agitation conditioning in at least one independent agitation conditioning step prior to being fed to a flotation stage.

Claim 66

The process of claim 51 wherein said prepared pulp of the ore contains copper sulphate.

Claim 67

The process of claim 51 wherein copper sulphate is present in said prepared pulp of the ore prior is at least the last agitation conditioning step prior to flotation.

Claim 68

The process of claim 51 wherein said at least one agitation conditioning stage in the pH range of about 8.0 to 12.0 is preceeded by an acid conditioning stage wherein the pH of the pulp has been lowered by an acid agent selected from the group consisting of sulphuric acid, sulphurous acid, and sulphur dioxide to within the pH range of about 1.2 to 6.5.

Claim 69

The process of claim 65 wherein said acid agent is sulphuric acid and is control added to the pulp of the ore on a pounds per ton of ore basis.

Claim 70

The process of claim 65 wherein said acid agent is sulphuric acid and is control added to the pulp of the ore on a ''''pounds per ton or ore-density of the pulp'''' basis.

Claim 71

The process of claim 65 wherein said acid agent is sulphuric acid and is control added to the pulp of the ore to an optimum pH point of the pulp of the ore.

Claim 72

The process of claim 51 wherein said at least one alkaline agitation conditioning stage consists of at least two agitation conditioning steps and said power consumption of said agitation conditioning mechanisms is in the range of about 0.17 to 0.53 kilowatt hours per ton of ore treated per 5 minutes residence time of the ore in said at least one agitation conditioning stage.

Claim 73

The process of claim 51 wherein said at least one alkaline agitation conditioning stage consists of at least two agitation conditioning steps and said power consumption of the agitation conditioning mechanisms is in the range of about 0.22 to 0.82 kilowatt hours per ton of ore treated per 8 minutes residence time of the ore in said at least one agitation conditioning stage.

Claim 74

The process of claim 51 wherein said at least one alkaline agitation conditioning stage consists of at least three agitation conditioning steps and the said power consumption of the agitation conditioning mechanisms is in the range of about 0.23 to 0.65 kilowatt hours per ton of ore treated per 6 minutes residence time of the ore in said at least one agitation conditioning stage.

Claim 75

The process of claim 51 wherein said at least one alkaline agitation conditioning stage consists of at least three agitation conditioning steps and said power consumption of the agitation conditioning mechanisms is in the range of about 0.28 to 0.94 kilowatt hours per ton of ore treated per 9 minutes residence time of the ore in said at least one agitation conditioning stage.

Claim 76

The process of claim 51 wherein said at least one alkaline agitation conditioning stage consists of at least four agitation conditioning steps and said power consumption of the agitation conditioning mechanisms is in the range of about 0.34 to 1.06 kilowatt hours per ton of ore treated per 10 minutes residence time of the ore in said at least one agitation conditioning stage.

Claim 77

The process of claim 51 wherein said at least one alkaline agitation conditioning stage consists of at least two agitation conditioning steps and said total power consumption of said agitation conditioning mechanisms is in the range of 0.48 to 3.0 Kilowatt hours per ton of ore treated and the residence time of the ore in said at least one agitation conditioning stage is in the range of about 16 to 40 minutes.

Claim 78

A process for the recovery by froth flotation of molybdenum minerals from molybdenum bearing ores containing at least one sulphide molybdenum mineral and wherein said at least one molybdenum mineral is a major economic component of the ore and wherein a pulp of the ore has been prepared consisting of a pulp density selected from the range of about 20 to 60 percent solids and said solids of said ore have been ground to flotation feed size comprising: subjecting said prepared pulp of the ore to conditioning in at least one alkaline agitation conditioning circuit consisting of at least one alkaline agitation conditioning stage and of at least three agitation conditioning steps wherein in said at least one alkaline agitation conditioning stage the conditioning is carried out in the presence of an alkaline agent selected from the group consisting of lime or calcium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, and ammonium hydroxide and wherein the pH of the pulp is at at least one optimum pH point within the pH range of about 8.0 to 12.0 and wherein in at least the final agitation conditioning step prior to flotation a sufficient concentration of collector selected from the group consisting of sulfhydryl anionic collectors and fuel oil is present and said sufficient concentration of sulfhydryl anionic collectors is in the range of about 0.02 to 0.30 pounds per ton of ore and wherein said pulp is agitation conditioned with agitation conditioning mechanisms with sufficient power consumption per ton of ore treated said power consumption being in the range of about 0.12 to 0.30 kilowatt hours per ton of ore per 4.0 minutes residence time of the ore in said at least one agitation conditioning stage and for a sufficiently long period of time and wherein said period of time is in the range of about 4.0 to 20 minutes to produce heavy activation of said at least one sulphide molybdenum mineral to achieve high recovery of said at least one molybdenum mineral in at least one subsequent froth flotation stage: subsequently in the presence of a suitable frother subjecting said agitation conditioned pulp to froth flotation to produce at least one flotation concentrate enriched in said at least one sulphide molybdenum mineral and a tailing impoverished in said at least one sulphide molybdenum mineral.

Claim 79

A process for the recovery by froth flotation of molybdenum minerals from molybdenum bearing ores containing at least one sulphide molybdenum mineral and wherein said at least one molybdenum mineral is a major economic component of the ore and wherein a pulp of the ore has been prepared consisting of a pulp density selected from the range of about 20 to 60 percent solids and said solids of said ore have been ground to flotation feed size comprising: subjecting said prepared pulp of the ore to conditioning in at least one alkaline agitation conditioning circuit consisting of at least one alkaline agitation conditioning stage and of at least three agitation conditioning steps wherein in said at least one alkaline agitation conditioning stage the conditioning is carried out in the presence of an alkaline agent selected from the group consisting of lime or calcium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, and ammonium hydroxide and wherein the pH of the pulp is at at least one optimum pH point within the pH range of about 8.0 to 12.0 and wherein in at least the final agitation conditioning step prior to flotation a sufficient concentration of collector selected from the group consisting of sulfhydryl anionic collectors and fuel oil is present and said sufficient concentration of sulfhydryl anionic collectors is in the range of about 0.02 to 0.30 pounds per ton of ore and wherein said pulp is agitation conditioned with agitation conditioning mechanisms with sufficient power consumption per ton of ore treated said power consumption being in the range of about 0.12 to 0.30 kilowatt hours per ton of ore per 4.0 minutes residence time of the ore in said at least one agitation conditioning stage and for a sufficiently long period of time and wherein said period of time is in the range of about 4.0 to 20 minutes to produce heavy activation of said at least one sulphide molybdenum mineral to achieve high recovery of said at least one molybdenum mineral in at least one subsequent froth flotation stage: subsequently in the presence of a suitable frother subjecting said agitation conditioned pulp to froth flotation to produce at least one flotation concentrate enriched in said at least one sulphide molybdenum mineral and a tailing impoverished in said at least one sulphide molybdenum mineral.

Claim 80

The process of claim 75 wherein said prepared pulp of the ore is the remaining pulp following one or more flotation stages.

Claim 81

The process of claim 75 wherein there is a dispersing agent present in the pulp in at least the last agitation conditioning step prior to flotation.

Claim 82

The process of claim 75 wherein said at least one agitation conditioning stage in the pH range of about 8.0 to 12.0 is preceeded by at least one agitation conditioning stage in the pH range of about 1.2 to 7.9.

Claim 83

The process of claim 75 wherein said at least one agitation conditioning stage in the pH range of about 8.0 to 12.0 is preceeded by at least one agitation conditioning stage in the pH range of 12.0 to 12.3.

Claim 84

The process of claim 75 wherein there are at least two agitation conditioning stages in the pH range of about 8.0 to 12.0.

Claim 85

The process of claim 75 wherein said agitation conditioning steps are arranged in series.

Claim 86

The process of claim 75 wherein in addition to treating said prepared pulp of the ore a scavenger flotation concentrate produced from said froth flotation is fed to at least one step of said agitation conditioning stage.

Claim 87

The process of claim 75 wherein in addition to treating said prepared pulp of the ore at least part or all of one or more cleaner tailings produced from said froth flotation is returned to at least one step of said agitation conditioning circuit.

Claim 88

THe process of claim 75 wherein in addition to treating said prepared pulp of the ore at least one flotation cleaner tailing produced from said froth flotation is subjected to agitation conditioning in at least one independent agitation conditioning step prior to being returned to at least one step in said agitation conditioning circuit.

Claim 89

The process of claim 75 wherein in addition to treating said prepared pulp of the ore at least one flotation cleaner tailing produced from said froth flotation is subjected to agitation conditioning in at least one independent agitation conditioning step prior to being fed to a flotation stage.

Claim 90

The process of claim 75 wherein said selected collector is a combination of a sulfhydryl anionic collector and a fuel oil.

Claim 91

The process of claim 75 wherein said selected collector is fuel oil.

Claim 92

The process of claim 75 wherein said at least one agitation conditioning stage in the pH range of about 8.0 to 12.0 is preceeded by an acid conditioning stage wherein the pH of the pulp has been lowered by an acid agent selected from the group consisting of sulphuric acid, sulphurous acid, and sulphur dioxide to within the pH range of about 1.2 to 6.5.

Claim 93

The process of claim 88 wherein said acid agent is sulphuric acid and is control added to the pulp of the ore on a pounds per ton of ore basis.

Claim 94

The process of claim 88 wherein said acid agent is sulphuric acid and is control added to the pulp of the ore on a ''''pounds per ton of ore-density of the pulp'''' basis.

Claim 95

The process of claim 88 wherein said acid agent is sulphuric acid and is control added to the pulp of the ore to an optimum pH point of the pulp of the ore.