Carboxymethyl Cellulose For Mining

Application

The role of CMC

Typical mineral types

Usage Features

1. Flotation

- CMC for minging used acts as a depressant to inhibit the flotation of gangue minerals (such as talc, calcite, dolomite, etc.), thereby improving the concentrate grade of the target mineral.
- Acts as a viscosity regulator to stabilize the fluidity of the slurry.

Phosphate ore, iron ore, copper ore, molybdenum ore, lead-zinc ore, graphite ore, etc.

The dosage is small (usually tens to hundreds of grams per ton of slurry), but the effect is significant, especially for fine-grained minerals.

2. Pelletizing

- Acts as a binder to enhance the wet and dry strength of pellets, resulting in a high pellet forming rate and low breakage rate.
- Improves the surface smoothness of pellets, facilitating transportation and loading.

Iron ore pellets, nickel ore pellets

High viscosity CMC has good effect, and the general dosage is 0.03%~0.1% (dry basis).

3. Tailings & Water Recovery

- Increase the flocculation of tailings particles, accelerate sedimentation rate, and improve the recovery rate of clean water.
- Reduce the loss of fine particles and reduce turbidity.

Various mine tailings

It is usually used in combination with PAM (polyacrylamide) to form a multi-stage flocculation system.

4. Drilling & Blasting

- Stabilize the borehole wall, reduce hole collapse and water leakage.
- Increase mud viscosity, suspend drill cuttings and prevent sedimentation.

Open-pit mines and underground mine exploration well drilling

Low to medium viscosity CMC, salt-tolerant formulations are particularly important in mining areas with high groundwater salinity.

5. Slurry Transport

- Prevents mineral powder from settling and keeps it evenly suspended.
- Reduces friction resistance during pipeline transportation.

Bauxite slurry, phosphate slurry, coal slurry, etc.

High degree of substitution CMC can maintain stable viscosity during high shear conveying.

index

Flotation

pellets

Drilling&blasting

Slurry

Viscosity (2% solution, mPa·s)

Low-Medium

high

middle

Medium-High

Degree of substitution (DS)

0.6-0.9

0.7-1.0

0.6-0.85

0.8-1.0

Salt tolerance

High requirements (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ resistant)

generally

High demands

High demands