How Clariant helps mining producers deliver more copper for the energy transition
Copper is one of the critical metals for the global energy transition thanks to its unique properties: high electrical and thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, and metallurgical versatility. Its application is fundamental across multiple sectors: from automotive parts, from nanochips to aeronautical components, as well as electrical and electronic systems. In the transition to low-carbon technologies, copper is found in electric cars, solar panels, windmills, superconductors, and electricity transmission systems.
Global market challenges
According to International Energy Agency (IEA) studies, clean energy technologies will account for more than 40% of global copper demand by 2040 in a sustainable development scenario. Complementing this trend, International Copper Association (ICA) projections indicate that regional development and the green energy transition will increase global copper demand by 12.6 million tons between 2020 and 2040.
Given this high-demand outlook, and with feed grades decreasing, while mineral deposits become increasingly more complex, the copper mining industry faces a significant challenge: how to meet the growing global demand while maintaining operational efficiency.
The answer lies in technological innovation. And Clariant's response to this challenge is to offer innovative flotation solutions that enhance copper processing, supporting the mining industry's goal of delivering minerals essential for the energy transition.
Strategic presence and innovative solutions
"As a strategic partner to the copper industry, with a broad portfolio of flotation collectors, frothers and depressants, and working together with our customers, we develop tailored solutions for each mine to maximize metallurgical recovery even for challenging ores with low grade and complex mineralization," says Patricio Zarate, Clariant’s Global Sulfides Technology Manager.
At Clariant’s Competence Center for Sulfide Minerals, strategically located in Santiago, Chile, Clariant’s innovation team develops customized solutions that optimize recovery and grade for each plant.
In addition to the Competence Center in Chile, Clariant Mining Solutions operates six Research, Application & Development Centers to support copper producers throughout the world.
Flotation transforming results
Flotation is the main method to process copper sulfide ores, and in certain cases, Clariant’s collectors have increased copper recovery by up to 4%, making thousands of additional tons of metal available annually to the copper market.
Our selective HOSTAFLOT™ collectors for copper flotation can replace xanthates with non-flammable, ready-to-use liquid products that deliver high-grade concentrates. The effectiveness of this technology was proven at a major mine in Chile, which was able to achieve copper grades of over 30%.
In addition to innovative collectors, Clariant's expertise in copper flotation includes frothers and depressants. For example, Clariant’s FLOTICOR™ DP sulfide depressants for molybdenum flotation effectively depress iron and copper sulfides. At a North American mine, our innovative depressant technology successfully replaced NaSH, delivering the target molybdenum grade and recovery at a much lower dosage than NaSH, eliminating the risk of H2S exposure and the need for scrubbers.Clariant’s FLOTANOL™ frothers are tailor-made for each operation to help the plant achieve optimal froth stability and maximize recovery. Clariant laboratories have state-of-the-art equipment to design frothers taking into consideration bubble size and stability and surface tension to provide superior selectivity against liberated gangue particles.
Using innovative flotation technologies and working in partnership with our customers, Clariant Mining Solutions is helping the mining industry deliver more copper for the energy transition with a focus on performance, safety, and efficiency.
If you are looking for copper flotation solutions that maximize recovery and meet your sustainability goals, visit the Mining Solutions website and contact our team for a customized solution for your operation
