An extensive body of work exists on the impact of grinding media composition on media wear, valuable mineral surface chemistry and subsequent separation from gangue species. However, the literature is limited in describing what happens to metal (either tramp metal from upstream processes, or grinding media debris) in the grinding and flotation processes. This study aims at characterisation and deportment of metal debris within the grinding and flotation circuits of three Australian concentrators. The results show a remarkable range of “metallic” morphologies and sizes, with a considerable amount of metal debris circulating in the hydrocyclone/mill circuit while fine fractions proceed to downstream flotation. Chemical and mineralogical characterisation revealed notable metal debris contribution from upstream equipment such as loader teeth and high speed steel tools, coupled with mild steel grinding media. Surface chemistry and mineral association analysis suggest sulphide mineral oxidation at reactive metal debris surfaces, causing possible limitation of flotation performance and process economics.

关于研磨介质成分对介质磨损、有价值的矿物表面化学以及随后与脉石种类的分离的影响存在大量工作。然而，文献有限地描述了研磨和浮选过程中金属（来自上游工艺的杂质金属，或研磨介质碎片）发生的情况。本研究旨在表征三个澳大利亚选矿厂的研磨和浮选回路中金属碎片的特征和行为。结果显示了显着的“金属”形态和尺寸范围，大量金属碎片在水力旋流器/磨机回路中循环，而细小的部分则进入下游浮选。化学和矿物学表征显示，来自上游设备（如装载机齿和高速钢工具）以及低碳钢研磨介质的显着金属碎屑贡献。表面化学和矿物组合分析表明活性金属碎片表面的硫化物矿物氧化，可能导致浮选性能和工艺经济性的限制。