Compositions and methods for separating metals and/or minerals from a source material using froth flotation
AssigneeLocus Solutions Ipco, LLC
InventorsRONNEY SILVA, GABRIELA KNESEL, JONATHAN ROGERS
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Abstract
The subject invention provides safe, environmentally-friendly, compositions and methods for extracting minerals and/or metals from rock, ore, tailings, and/or coal combustion wastes. More specifically, the subject invention provides for enhanced froth flotation, including direct flotation or reverse flotation, of rock, ore, tailings, and/or coal fly ash using a composition comprising one or more biosurfactants.
Claims44
A method for extracting a target metal or mineral from particles of a source comprising the target metal or mineral and gangue, the method comprising, applying the source particles to a liquid medium to form a slurry, applying a microbe-based product comprising a biosurfactant to the slurry, and supplying air bubbles to the slurry,
- wherein the target metal or mineral separate from the gangue to form a concentrate, wherein the concentrate attaches to the air bubbles and floats to the surface of the slurry, thereby forming a froth layer comprising the concentrate, and wherein the gangue remains in the slurry as tailings.
10-11. (canceled)
(canceled)
A method for extracting a target metal or mineral from particles of a source comprising the target metal or mineral and gangue, the method comprising, applying the source particles to a liquid medium to form a slurry, applying a microbe-based product comprising a biosurfactant to the slurry, and supplying air bubbles to the slurry,
- wherein the target metal or mineral separate from the gangue to form a concentrate, wherein the gangue attaches to the air bubbles and floats to the surface of the slurry, thereby forming a froth layer comprising the gangue, and wherein the concentrate remains in the slurry as tailings.
33-34. (canceled)
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.