Pre-concentration of a low-grade sulfidic copper ore from murgul-çakmakkaya region of Turkey

In this study, a sulfide ore with 0.28% Cu was subjected to pre-concentration by the application of gravity separation. Sink and float tests were carried out on low-grade copper ore crushed to <9 mm and classified before beneficiation. In this way, it was established that 45% of the ore was discarded with 0.04% Cu and a loss of metal recovery of only 6.1%. The pre-concentrate obtained in this manner had a grade of 0.48% Cu and a recovery of 93.8%.