Course Description
Froth flotation is the most important and versatile mineral concentration process, used to separate valuable minerals from gangue based on differences in surface chemistry. This specialised course develops a deep understanding of flotation theory and practice.
Participants learn the science governing flotation — interfacial phenomena, surface chemistry, and mineral-reagent interactions — along with the practical design, operation, and optimisation of flotation circuits. The course covers reagent selection, circuit configuration, flotation machine diagnostics, and troubleshooting, equipping metallurgists and process engineers to operate and optimise flotation for base metals, sulphides, and critical minerals.
What you will achieve
By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the science and mechanisms of froth flotation
- Understand interfacial phenomena and surface chemistry
- Explain the role of flotation reagents (collectors, frothers, modifiers)
- Understand mineral-reagent interactions and zeta potential
- Design and configure flotation circuits
- Apply flotation kinetics
- Diagnose and troubleshoot flotation performance
- Optimise flotation for grade and recovery
How the course is delivered
The course combines flotation science with practical circuit design, diagnostics, and optimisation exercises. Participants work through reagent selection, circuit configuration, and troubleshooting using realistic flotation scenarios.
The programme balances surface chemistry understanding with the practical operation and optimisation of flotation circuits.
Designed for
This training course is ideal for:
- Metallurgists and process engineers
- Flotation plant operators and supervisors
- Process control and optimisation staff
- Technical professionals in concentrators
- Anyone operating or optimising flotation
Daily programme
- Principles of froth flotation
- Interfacial phenomena and surface chemistry
- Hydrophobicity and the double layer
- Zeta potential and adsorption
- Collectors and their chemistry
- Frothers
- Modifiers: activators, depressants, pH
- Reagent selection
- Flotation kinetics
- Flotation machines and cells
- Circuit configuration and design
- Rougher, cleaner, scavenger circuits
- Flotation machine diagnostics
- Gas dispersion and hydrodynamics
- Troubleshooting flotation
- Optimisation and workshop
Certification & accreditation
BII Certificate of Completion
BII Certificate of Completion Upon successful completion, participants receive a BII Development Institute Certificate of Completion with a unique reference code that is independently verifiable. Our certificates are recognised internationally and reflect successful completion of your chosen programme.
