Rheomax flocculants are high-molecular-weight polymers with a unique chemical composition that differentiates them from conventional flocculants. They create higher-density and more robust aggregates than other flocculants and are effective on various mineral ore types. This change in aggregate shape allows for faster consolidation, high underflow densities and low underflow yield stress. They are effective for numerous mining and mineral processing applications and offer several performance and sustainability benefits.
Applications
Rheomax high-performance flocculants have broad applicability throughout the mining and mineral processing industry. Typical applications include:
- Pre-leach Thickening: Optimize the thickening process before leaching, enhancing solid-liquid separation and improving the efficiency of subsequent leaching operations.
- Slurry Thickening: Enable the production of high-density, low-yield stress slurry suitable for various purposes, such as backfill or dry stacking.
- CCD Circuits: Enhance the performance of counter-current decantation (CCD) circuits, improving the washing efficiency and recovery of valuable metals from leach residues.
- Mine Backfill: Create stable backfill materials with desirable properties for void filling and ground support.
- Base-metal and Gold Tailings: Effectively manage tailings from base-metal and gold processing, improving water recovery and reducing the environmental impact of tailings disposal.
- Base-metal and Gold Concentrates: Enhance the thickening and dewatering of base-metal and gold concentrates, improving process efficiency and maximizing metal recovery.
- Mineral Sands: Treat mineral sand tails and slimes remaining after ore recovery.
Product Benefits
Rheomax high-performance flocculants deliver a number of operational and sustainability benefits:
- Improved Water Recovery: Increase water recovery by up to 70% compared to natural settling and up to 20% compared to standard anionic flocculants.
- Reduced Freshwater Consumption: Significantly reduce the need for freshwater in mining operations.
- Minimized Residue Footprint: optimize tailings dewatering, leading to a smaller residue footprint and reduced water evaporation at tailings dams.
- Increased CCD Washing Efficiency: Improve the efficiency of counter-current decantation (CCD) washing, leading to better recovery of leached metals.
- Energy Savings: Reduce pumping pressure and energy usage due to improved dewatering.
- Decreased Chemical Consumption: Use lower dosages for effective flocculation.
- Performance in Challenging Environments: Optimize performance in highly saline and high-iron environments where conventional chemistries struggle.
- Cost Savings: Deliver substantial cost savings through the combined benefits of improved water recovery, reduced chemical usage and lower energy consumption.
More Information
To learn more about Rheomax high-performance flocculants and Solenis’ complete portfolio for mining operations, consult with a Solenis expert today.
