The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1915-07-08

Information of a technical nature
concerning the modern system of ore
concentration generally known as flo
tation is beginning to sift through in
to the minds of mining stock investors
dabble in mining investments seldom
concern themselves with the mechan-
ical, chemical and physical processes
by which ores are treated, but now
and then revolutionary invention OF
discovery like the cyanide process OF
the Whitley table forces itself upon
the attention OF the general public, SO
great is its bearing upon the inter-
ests of all mining people, says Inc
Daily Mining and Financial Record of
Denver.
In answer to those who have ex-
pressed vague wonder concerning
the meaning of ore flotation, it is
proper to say that this is a process
which, in very recent years, has occu-
pied the first place in the thoughts OF
ore treatment experts In some dis
tricts it has already accomplished
wonderful results, and it continues to
expand its usefulness wherever it is
is tried
Simply stated, ore flotation de-
ponds for it's validity upon the differ
ences of 'wetting' capacity possessed
by different minerals. By wetting is
meant the result which is secured
from the property of " liquid known
as surface tension when solid OBJ
ject is brought in contact with H.
Some liquids will form highly self
conferred globules in contact with otn-
er surfaces; some will spread out and
apparently possesses no power of self
Cold water on porce-
lain surface will, for example, produce
better globules than warm water.
Under proper conditions, sulphides
will float upon the surface, of waite
because the water does not readily
wet the solid; that is, the water does
not easily surround the particles and
them, so as to permit them
to sink. This principle has been ap-
piled in some of the less importan,
'lotation processes. The methoc
which has aroused the greatest inter-
est is known as oil flotation. In this
,ase the sulphides, or other minerals,
ire wetted by the oil which is intro
luced into the ore solution or pulp.
We are speaking here particularly of
ulphides, because metallic minerals
f this class are the commonest form
n which metallic wealth occurs.
The standard principle of oil flota-
ion which occupies the primary place
n the field is now in litigation. A
mall amount of oil is introduced in
the ore solution and the pulp is agi- |
lted. This produces an oily froth |
pom the surface; 1t has gathered up |
ne sulphide particles, without affect
lg the siliclous gangue or other waste
which the values appear. The
rock sinks, while the sui
hide bearing froth is SKINNED off
nd smelted, If 1t is not subjected to
lrther treatment in the mill. Another
-ctor in this process is a small
mount of acid, which is introduced
! a sort of cleanser.
The variable factors in the appllca-
on Of oil flotation to ore are these:
} the variety and the amount or
|; (2) the amount of acid Casually
Ilphuric) (S) the duration and speed
agitation; "a the temperature or
e solution, and 60 the size to which
e ore is crushed.
1t Is very interesting fact that the
sential points here mentioned were
and patented by a Denver
hool ma'am 80 years ago. Only re-
ntly has the principle been practic-