Flotation in the Australian coal industry – recent developments

The Australian coal industry has historically utilised froth flotation circuits to optimise plant operations in the recovery of coal ultrafines. This was generally restricted to processing of metallurgical coal, with less emphasis placed on recovery of fine thermal coal due to issues associated with maintaining product quality. In the past 20 years both metallurgical and thermal coal processing has placed greater reliance on recovery of ultrafine coals. This is reflected in the continued development of flotation and dewatering circuits and utilisation of new technologies, through research and development projects partnering with Universities, Designers, Vendors and supported by ACARP (Australian Coal Industry Research Program). The combination of these learnings and product developments have resulted in new and modified circuits. The paper will focus on the recent trends in the Australian coal industry and the underlying factors driving the developments and in particular modifications to flotation circuits, filtrate circuits, constraints associated with existing circuits and improvements undertaken or being implemented as well as modification of existing flotation circuits including scavenger flotation and gravity circuits.