On Limits to Flotation Cell Size

Abstract

Mechanical cells have seen an exponential increase in size over the past 60 years. However, a possible size limitation due to carrying capacity constraints has been raised. Taking a Cu porphyry case, a cell sizing exercise is used to show that possible size limitation due to carrying capacity can be tested using available techniques. A range of conditions is explored that suggest a continued increase above the current maximum cell size, ca. 600 m3, does not seem warranted.