BHP's Carrapateena HydroFloat project

The HydroFloat Coarse Particle Flotation Project has set a new benchmark for operations not just at Carrapateena, but for resources as a whole. One of only a few copper mines in the world to adopt the technology at this scale, Hydrofloat has enabled Carrapateena to improve the capacity of the plant by capturing coarse particles that would otherwise be lost to tailing. Along with other debottlenecking projects, HydroFloat has led to Carrapateena increasing the throughput of the mine from a nameplate of 4.25 million tonnes per annum to 7 million tonnes per annum, all while maintaining and even increasing mineral recoveries.

Carrapateena’s legacy with this project is the setting of a new standard of technology within the industry. Soon, Coarse Particle Flotation will be a staple of all new concentrator circuits and the learnings from this project will play a vital role in ensuring benefits for future global operations.