Optimization of Processing Water Treatment and Its Reuse in Bauxite Flotation

The optimum condition for the sedimentation process of concentrate pulpand tailing pulp in bauxite flotation was determined based on the supernatant turbiditystudy. The flotation tests were conducted to study the effect of recycled water turbidityand recycling time on the concentrate grade and recovery. The results demonstratethat recycled water with turbidity over 95 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) cannotachieve the ideal concentrate compared to fresh water. In addition, recycled water thatwas reused twice in bauxite flotation demonstrated reduced selectivity. This is mainlycaused by the accumulation of chlorine ions, which may enhance the entrainment ofclays in the concentrate.