Abstract: Flotation concentration is one of the key factors affecting flotation performance. An appropriate flotation concentration
not only enhances separation efficiency but also reduces cost. Addressing the unclear kinetic patterns in copper-molybdenum
flotation separation,this study examined molybdenum enrichment and recovery under varying pulp concentrations. It
investigated the influence of concentration changes on molybdenum flotation kinetics and analyzed the stage rate constant (k)
using the classical first-order kinetic model. The results indicate that concentration significantly influences the flotation separation
of this copper-molybdenum mixed concentrate. Increasing the flotation concentration enhances molybdenum recovery. Flotation
kinetic fitting results show that the coefficient of determination (R2) exceeds 0. 99 at all pulp concentrations,demonstrating
that the first-order flotation kinetic model fits the experimental data well. As concentration increased,the fitted rate constant
(k) first rose then declined,peaking at 35% concentration. Overall,the optimal concentration for roughing of this coppermolybdenum
mixed concentrate was determined to be 35%~40%. Integrating with the field process flow,molybdenum concentrate
assaying Mo of 48. 78% and Cu of 1. 23% with a molybdenum recovery of 92. 49%,and a copper concentrate assaying Cu
of 21. 79% and Mo of 0. 06% with a copper recovery of 99. 92% were obtained with the "copper-molybdenum separation,regrinding
and re-concentration of molybdenum rough concentrate" process. This study clarifies the regulatory effect of concentration
on the rate constant (k) during copper-molybdenum separation roughing,providing theoretical support for optimizing copper-
molybdenum separation flotation processes and offering technical reference for the flotation separation of similar copper-molybdenum
mixed concentrates.