Utilizing engineered media for recovery of minerals in tailings stream at the end of a flotation separation process

The apparatus comprising:

• a first separation device configured to receive a first mixture containing mineral laden media and unwanted material, the first separation device further configured to separate the mineral laden media from the unwanted material in the first mixture, the mineral laden media comprising engineered collection media with a collection surface having mineral particles attached thereto;
• a stripping device configured to receive from the first separation device the mineral laden media and to cause the mineral laden media to contact with a stripping agent, the stripping device further configured to cause the mineral particles attached on the collection surface to separate from the engineered collection media;
• a second separation device configured to receive from the stripping device a second mixture containing the stripping agent, the mineral particles and the engineered collection media, the second separation device further configured to separate the engineered collection media from the mineral particles and the stripping agent;
• a third separation device configured to receive from the second separation device the mineral particles and the stripping agent, the third separation device further configured to separate the mineral particles from the stripping agent;
• and
• a cleaning device configured to receive from the second separation device the engineered collection media, the cleaning device further configured to clean the engineered collection media before the engineered collection media are recirculated for reuse.

A method, comprising:

• receiving a mixture containing mineral laden media and unwanted material, the mineral laden media comprising engineered collection media with a collection surface having mineral particles attached thereto, and separating the mineral laden media from the unwanted material in the mixture;
• causing the mineral laden media to contact with a stripping agent so as to detach the mineral particles from the collection surface of the engineered collection media;
• separating in a screening stage the engineered collection media from the mineral particles and the stripping agent;
• removing the stripping agent from the mineral particles;
• providing a screen having screen apertures;
• moving the mixture along the screen so as to allow the unwanted material to pass through the screen apertures for separating the mineral media from the unwanted material in the mixture;
• and
• spraying water on the mixture while the first mixture is caused to move along the screen.

The method comprising:

• receiving a mixture containing mineral laden media and unwanted material, the mineral laden media comprising engineered collection media with a collection surface having mineral particles attached thereto, and separating the mineral laden media from the unwanted material in the mixture;
• causing the mineral laden media to contact with a stripping agent so as to detach the mineral particles from the collection surface of the engineered collection media;
• separating in a screening stage the engineered collection media from the mineral particles and the stripping agent;
• removing the stripping agent from the mineral particles;
• providing in the screening stage a screen having screen apertures;
• causing the stripping agent and the mineral particles to pass through the screen apertures so as to separate the engineered collection media from the stripping agent and the mineral particles;
• providing a vacuum filter for removing the stripping agent from the mineral particles.