Operating practices in the beneficiation of major porphyry copper/molybdenum plants from Chile: Innovated technology and opportunities, a review

The operating practices in the beneficiation of porphyry copper ores from Chile are reviewed. The factors which affect plant metallurgical results are discussed including: ore mineralogy, reagent scheme and flowsheet. Over the past decade, a decline in plant metallurgy at a number of plants occurred mainly due to the changes in ore mineralogy. The importance of the application of new technology for improvement in plant metallurgical results is highlighted.