The Continuing Evolution and Growing Importance of Flotation Collectors

Flotation ’25 is shaping up to be one of MEI’s largest and most exciting conferences to date, with a record number of exhibiting companies already confirmed. We’re anticipating a packed programme of oral and poster presentations. A quick reminder: the deadline for abstract submissions is the end of this week.

We’ve received a strong stream of abstracts covering a wide range of topics, including flotation machines and circuits, innovative techniques, process optimisation, and critical minerals flotation. Many submissions focus on what is arguably the backbone of flotation—chemical reagents. In fact, two of our four keynote lectures will delve into this essential topic.

Prof. Jim Finch of McGill University, Canada, will explore “Frothers: From Fundamentals to Practice”, while Prof. Liza Forbes of JKMRC and the University of Newcastle, Australia, will present “Beyond Reagent Trials: New Directions in Flotation Chemistry Research.” In addition, Prof. Forbes will give a one-day short course prior to the conference, titled “Flotation Chemistry: Fundamentals and Practice.”

The mining flotation chemicals market is undergoing significant growth, driven by rising global demand for minerals and a recovering mining sector. As ore bodies become more complex and the demand for specific minerals increases flotation chemicals are playing an increasingly critical role. According to industry reports, the global market for mining flotation chemicals is expected to grow steadily, with emerging economies seeing particularly strong expansion.

As nations continue investing in infrastructure and urbanisation, the need for efficient mineral recovery processes grows. Advanced flotation chemicals are at the forefront of this trend, not only improving recovery rates but also helping to reduce energy use and operational costs—key priorities for mining companies aiming to optimise performance.

Asia Pacific (excluding China) remains the largest regional market for mining flotation chemicals, buoyed by active mining industries in countries such as India, Australia, and Indonesia. Australia, a major exporter of minerals, has shown especially strong demand for flotation reagents, particularly in sulfide ore processing. Meanwhile, the region's increasing emphasis on sustainable mining practices and advanced flotation technologies is expected to further accelerate growth.

Latin America is also emerging as a key growth region, led by mineral-rich countries such as Chile, Peru, and Brazil. These nations require advanced flotation techniques for the efficient processing of copper, gold, and iron ore. Flotation '25 sponsor Clariant has responded by expanding its presence in Latin America, forging new partnerships to enhance flotation efficiency in copper and gold operations.

As environmental regulations tighten and sustainability becomes a defining competitive factor, bio-based and eco-friendly collectors are quietly transforming the mining chemicals landscape. BASF, a Flotation ’25 exhibitor, has launched a new line of flotation reagents aimed at supporting sustainable mining. These products are designed to reduce harmful emissions during processing, particularly in plants operating in Australia.

Derived from natural sources such as plant oils, fatty acids, and microbial surfactants, bio-based collectors offer significant environmental advantages. Compared to traditional xanthates, long the dominant collectors in sulfide ore flotation, these alternatives are less toxic, more biodegradable, and have lower environmental persistence.

Historically, the performance of bio-based reagents has been limited by variables such as pH, mineral composition, and water chemistry. However, recent advances in chemical engineering and microbial biotechnology are addressing these challenges, paving the way for broader commercial use. What was once a purely ethical consideration is rapidly becoming a regulatory requirement. As part of its ESG commitments, conference sponsor Glencore Technology has launched a pilot program in Australia to trial biodegradable collectors in select flotation operations.

One common concern with bio-based collectors is cost. On a per-kilogram basis, they may appear more expensive than synthetic alternatives. However, a deeper economic analysis reveals a different picture. In many operations, these collectors reduce tailings toxicity, streamline post-processing, and lower water treatment expenses.

As pressure mounts for mining operations to meet ESG targets and decarbonisation goals, green flotation agents represent more than just regulatory compliance—they offer a pathway to innovation and competitive advantage.

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