1200 TPD Lithium Ore Flotation Plant in Zimbabwe

Crushing Section:

• Primary Crushing: Coarse ore is fed into a Jaw Crusher to reduce the size below 250 mm.
• Secondary & Tertiary Crushing: A two-stage Cone Crusher circuit further crushes the ore to a target size of 12 mm below, preparing it for the grinding mill.

Flotation Section:

• Conditioning: The slurry is conditioned with specific reagents (modifiers and collectors) in an agitated tank to render spodumene surfaces hydrophobic.
• Rougher Flotation: One stage of rougher flotation recovers the majority of lithium-bearing minerals into a primary concentrate.
• Cleaner Flotation: The rougher concentrate undergoes two stages of cleaner flotation to progressively remove silicate gangue minerals and upgrade the Li₂O grade.
• Scavenger Flotation: One stage of scavenger flotation is applied to the rougher tails to recover any remaining lithium values, maximizing overall plant recovery.

Process Control & Automation:

• A centralized PLC-based Control System is installed to monitor and control key process parameters (e.g., density, pH, reagent dosing), ensuring stable operation and consistent product quality.

Grinding & Classification Section:

• The crushed ore is fed into a Closed-Circuit Ball Mill system.
• A Hydrocyclone is used to classify the milled product, ensuring the grinding particle size reaches 74㎛ and D80 for optimal spodumene liberation.

Concentrate Dewatering & Handling:

• The final high-grade spodumene concentrate is first thickened in a High-Rate Thickener.
• It is then dewatered to a low moisture content using a Recessed Chamber Filter Press, producing a handleable filter cake for transport and sale.

Tailing Management & Water Recovery:

• Flotation tailings are pumped to a Tailing Thickener for dewatering.
• The clarified water from the thickener is recycled back into the process, reducing fresh water consumption.
• The underflow is sent to a designated Tailing Storage Facility (TSF) for safe and environmentally compliant dry stacking.