Column Flotation

The Industry Standard for Base and Precious Metals Cleaner Circuits

Flotation columns are the industry standard for final cleaner duties — replacing complex multi-stage mechanical circuits with simplified flowsheets that deliver higher concentrate grades and improved fine particle recovery. With more than 400 installations worldwide, Eriez Columns are the proven choice for Cu/Mo, Cu/Au, and polymetallic final cleaning applications.

High-intensity CavTube sparging now extends column application to rougher scalping, cleaner scalping, first cleaner, and scavenger stages — delivering enhanced fine and ultrafine particle recovery where fine particle losses increasingly constrain plant recovery.

+3–8% 
Higher Concentrate Grade — Concentrate grade up 3–8% vs. parallel mechanical cell circuit

+90% 
Stage Recovery — Across Cu/Mo and Cu/Au cleaner column installations globally

3→1 
Cleaner Stages Replaced — One column replacing multiple mechanical cleaner stages

–40% 
CAPEX — Fewer cells, less auxiliary equipment, smaller footprint

Based on published technical literature and operational data vs. other pneumatic and mechanical cells.

The Standard for Low-Grade Iron Ore Beneficiation

Column flotation is the established standard for reverse flotation of silica from iron ore — with full circuit capability across rougher, cleaner and scavenger duties, including slimes flotation.

Backed by more than 150 successful Eriez installations worldwide, our columns consistently reduce penalty risk, lower operating cost and maximise yield — delivering proven performance across greenfield and brownfield projects globally.

Tight 
Grade Stability — Lower concentrate grade variability with minimal operator intervention

40–80% 
Lower OPEX — Up to 80% less power; up to 40% lower reagent consumption

15–40% 
Lower CAPEX — Reduction in plant footprint vs. equivalent other pneumatic and mechanical cell circuits

+2% 
Higher Yield — Enabled by deep, configurable froth and full-surface wash water

Based on published technical literature and operational data vs. equivalent pneumatic and mechanical cell circuits.

The Proven Solution for Potash and Phosphate Flotation

With more than 160 Eriez column installations in phosphate and potash applications worldwide, our columns are proven in rougher, cleaner, and scavenger duties across the full circuit.

Leading producers pioneered split feed flotation flowsheets combining Eriez column and HydroFloat technologies — delivering high recovery and lower reagent consumption vs. conventional flowsheets.

CavTube column technology further unlocks value through slimes valorisation — recovering ultrafine product currently lost in desliming while reducing slimes storage and improving process water recovery.

+16% 
Global P₂O₅ Recovery — Slimes valorisation via CavTube column; potash +5.8% mill recovery

-40% 
Collector Dosage Reduction — Vs. mechanical cells in split feed circuits

~40% 
Tailings Reduction — Slimes storage reduction; potash 22% reduction

~1M m³/yr 
Additional Water Recovered — Process water diverted; potash ~35% reduction in fresh water

Based on published technical literature and operational data vs. other pneumatic and mechanical cells.