Increasing the Efficiency of Froth Flotation to Maximize Production of Coking Coal Concentrates in the Aspect of Sustainable Management of Natural Resources

Abstract

Coking coal, due to its limited availability and the role and importance of steel as a raw material, essential in almost all industries, has been on the list of critical raw materials in the EU for many years. The article presents the results of laboratory tests of impact of the selected factors (feed parameters, process parameters, reagents) on the effectiveness of flotation, which is a commonly used method for beneficiation of fine coking coal grains. The large number of variables and significant differences in results clearly indicate the need for more detailed tests before each new application of flotation beneficiation technology. Selection of parameters that guarantee maximization of production from the point of view of rational and sustainable management of resources while minimizing the negative impact of the effects of this process on the environment should be the result of these tests.