Bio-treatment and water reuse as feasible treatment approaches for improving wastewater management during flotation of copper ores

Established and emerging technologies for treatment of flotation wastewaters are compared and discussed in the context of their applicability during the management of wastewaters from Cu–Co ores processing through flotation in the Katanga province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The effects from water recycling on water quality and flotation performance are briefly presented in parallel. The ore processing schemes and the wastewater management practices at two operational concentrators are illustrated as study cases and their peculiarities outlined. A reference to a copper concentrator in a nearby Zambia is addressed for comparative purpose. Based on analysis of the findings, the clarification, bio-treatment inside the tailing ponds or the use of constructed wetlands as polishing stage prior to water reuse are suggested as feasible treatment approaches in view improving the management practice of flotation wastewaters during the dressing of copper ores in the Katanga province.