OREANDA-NEWS. August 05, 2013. Flotation process application of a new depressor-reagent treatment for waste rock at Kola MMC (MMC Norilsk Nickel affiliate) Concentrator Plant contributed to surplus 50 tonnes of nickel and 64 tonnes of copper produced from the collective concentrate since the beginning of 2013.

Lower unit consumption of the new reagent over the course of six months reduced standard process materials procurement costs by over 25 million rubles.

The depressor-reagent is used in the flotation process to reach desired end-concentrate grade by way of depressing waste rock particles. The reagent is composed of sodium carboxymethylcellulose. Traditionally domestically produced reagents were in use at Kola MMC Concentrator Plant, but this year a decision was made to look at new market offerings, including those produced overseas. In lab and trial performance tests of a particular foreign-made reagent demonstrated lower consumption and increased flotation recovery and concentrate nickel grade indicators.

The reagent’s high efficiency has now been further proven by real-life production gains.