A mineral processing method capable of efficiently separating a copper mineral from a molybdenum mineral is provided. The mineral processing method includes: a conditioning step of adding sulfite as a surface treatment agent to a mineral slurry containing a copper mineral and a molybdenum mineral; and a flotation step of performing flotation using the mineral slurry after the conditioning step. The hydrophilicity of the copper mineral can be selectively enhanced by sulfite, so as to be able to produce a difference in hydrophilicity between the copper mineral and the molybdenum mineral. Therefore, the molybdenum mineral can be selectively caused to float, and the copper mineral and the molybdenum mineral can be efficiently separated from each other.

A mineral processing method capable of efficiently separating a copper mineral from a molybdenum mineral is provided. The mineral processing method includes: a conditioning step of adding sulfite as a surface treatment agent to a mineral slurry containing a copper mineral and a molybdenum mineral; and a flotation step of performing flotation using the mineral slurry after the conditioning step. The hydrophilicity of the copper mineral can be selectively enhanced by sulfite, so as to be able to produce a difference in hydrophilicity between the copper mineral and the molybdenum mineral. Therefore, the molybdenum mineral can be selectively caused to float, and the copper mineral and the molybdenum mineral can be efficiently separated from each other.

A process for treating and dewatering tailings comprising fine clay minerals, fine rock-forming minerals and water is provided, comprising treating the tailings with a sufficient amount of a collector to modify the surface properties of both the fine clays and rock-forming minerals; subjecting the treated tailings to froth flotation to form a fine clays and rock-forming minerals froth layer; and recovering the froth layer and subjecting it to dewatering.

A process for treating and dewatering tailings comprising fine clay minerals, fine rock-forming minerals and water is provided, comprising treating the tailings with a sufficient amount of a collector to modify the surface properties of both the fine clays and rock-forming minerals; subjecting the treated tailings to froth flotation to form a fine clays and rock-forming minerals froth layer; and recovering the froth layer and subjecting it to dewatering.

Provided is a mineral processing method that can efficiently separate a copper mineral and a molybdenum mineral. A mineral processing method includes a conditioning step of adding a disulfite to a mineral slurry containing a copper mineral and a molybdenum mineral and a flotation step of performing flotation using the mineral slurry after the conditioning step. By selectively enhancing hydrophilicity of the copper mineral with the disulfite, the hydrophilicity between the copper mineral and the molybdenum mineral can be differentiated. Thus, the molybdenum mineral can be selectively floated, and the copper mineral and the molybdenum mineral can be efficiently separated.

A system for recovering fat, oil and grease (FOG) from wastewater has multiple annular flotation zones in a concentric configuration surrounding a central column to create progressively increasing surface areas for FOG and solid particles flotation, and thereby enhance FOG recovery and removal. Each flotation zone is equipped with an independent pressurized micro air and ozone bubbles distribution system. A controlled amount of ozone can be injected into the wastewater along with recirculated effluent and micro-size air bubbles. Upon the release of pressurized air-ozone-water mixture, micro-size bubbles are generated and distributed in each flotation zone to effectively float up FOG and solid particles in the wastewater stream.

A system for recovering fat, oil and grease (FOG) from wastewater has multiple annular flotation zones in a concentric configuration surrounding a central column to create progressively increasing surface areas for FOG and solid particles flotation, and thereby enhance FOG recovery and removal. Each flotation zone is equipped with an independent pressurized micro air and ozone bubbles distribution system. A controlled amount of ozone can be injected into the wastewater along with recirculated effluent and micro-size air bubbles. Upon the release of pressurized air-ozone-water mixture, micro-size bubbles are generated and distributed in each flotation zone to effectively float up FOG and solid particles in the wastewater stream.

A method is provided for using flotation techniques for separating rare earth metal compounds from bastnaesite ore. The method can include grinding the ore to obtain an aqueous slurry of particles, adding a depressant agent to the slurry and adjusting the pH to a suitable value for the flotation process, adding a collector mixture to the slurry that includes at least one hydroxamic acid, and adding a frother agent to the slurry, followed by subjecting the slurry to froth flotation.

A method is provided for using flotation techniques for separating rare earth metal compounds from bastnaesite ore. The method can include grinding the ore to obtain an aqueous slurry of particles, adding a depressant agent to the slurry and adjusting the pH to a suitable value for the flotation process, adding a collector mixture to the slurry that includes at least one hydroxamic acid, and adding a frother agent to the slurry, followed by subjecting the slurry to froth flotation.

Processes of extracting mineral deposits in ore include treating a saline source, e.g., seawater, to reduce a concentration of one or more multivalent ions (e.g., Ca.sup.2+, Mg.sup.2+, SO.sub.4.sup.2−) dissolved in the saline source by passing the seawater through one or more nanofilters to produce treated saline water while maintain a certain concentration of dissolved monovalent ions (e.g., (Na.sup.+, K.sup.+ and Cl.sup.−) in the treated saline water. The treated saline water can be used in an operation to extract minerals from ore such as in a flotation operation to extract minerals from ore, or to consolidate tailings generated from an extraction of minerals from ore, or both.