Patent ID: 8231008

Claim:
An apparatus for separating a mineral from a slurry including the mineral and impurities, comprising: a vessel for containing fluid and having a first, open end and a second end; a feed well disposed near the first end of the vessel, wherein the feed well has a first, open end and a second end, and wherein the first end of the feed well receives the slurry; at least one first member received through the first end of the feed well for providing aerated water to the second end of the feed well, releasing air bubbles that move from the second end of the feed well toward the first end of the feed well, creating a froth in the feed well including substantially the mineral, wherein the mineral froth substantially separates from the impurities and floats out of the first end of the feed well and towards the first end of the vessel; and a collection unit having a first open end and a second end, and being located at the first end of the vessel, wherein the mineral froth moves into the first end of the collection unit from the first end of the vessel, and wherein the impurities and any remaining mineral fall by gravity towards the second end of the vessel.