
a froth flotation process is used to concentrate copper ore. it is a two-stage process that involves one rougher stage and one cleaner stage. the cleaner tailings return to the rougher flotation. both stages are nonreactive unit operations that operate at steady-state.,copper ore processing methods,apr 11, 2017 copper ore processing methods. the four major steps in the production of marketable copper are mining, concentrating, smelting, and refining. in a few instances, however, leaching takes the place of concentrating, smelting, and refining. at present, although considerable leaching and direct-smelting ores are produced, the bulk of the copper ore