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For water treatment professionals, flocculants are both a daily tool and a technical watershed. The transition from "knowing the name" to "understanding its mechanism of action and matching logic" marks an engineer's evolution from an operator to an expert. The types of flocculants available, and how to distinguish and correctly use them, is a topic that many find confusing. Today, we will briefly introduce knowledge related to flocculants.  Flocculants are currently the most widely used chemicals in wastewater treatment. They are substances that can reduce or eliminate the precipitation stability and polymerization stability of dispersed particles in water, and cause these dispersed particles to coagulate and flocculate into aggregates.  How Flocculants Work Colloidal particles in water are characterized by their small size, surface hydration, and electrical charge, giving them high stability. When flocculants are added to water, they hydrolyze into charged colloids and form an electric double-layer structure with surrounding ions.  A method of rapid stirring after dosing is used to promote the chance and frequency of collisions between the colloidal impurity particles in the water and the micelles produced by the hydrolysis of the flocculant. The impurity particles in water first lose stability under the action of the flocculant, then clump together into larger particles, and finally settle or float.  The process where impurity particles in water interact with the flocculant, losing stability through mechanisms like double layer compression and charge neutralization, and forming micro-flocs, is called coagulation. The process where micro-flocs aggregate under the action of bridging materials and water flow stirring to form flocs, which grow into large flocs through mechanisms like adsorption, bridging, and sweep coagulation, is called flocculation.  The combination of mixing, coagulation, and flocculation is referred to as coagulation-flocculation. The mixing process is usually completed in a mixing tank, while coagulation and flocculation occur in the reaction tank.  Types of Flocculants - (Cationic, Non-ionic, Anionic) Flocculants are broadly categorized based on the type of electrical charge they carry. There are three main types:  Cationic Flocculants:These carry a positive charge and are effective at binding with negatively charged particles. They are often used when suspended particles in the water are negatively charged, or when a positive charge is needed to neutralize the charge of certain contaminants. Non-ionic Flocculants:These carry no electrical charge and are typically used in waters containing little or no charged particles. Non-ionic flocculants are favored for their stability over a wide range of pH and salinity levels. Anionic Flocculants:Anionic flocculants, such as APAM, carry a negative charge and are generally effective in treating water containing positively charged or neutrally suspended particles. They are particularly suitable for removing organic matter, such as oils and greases, and in situations where the pH is slightly acidic to neutral.  Users can make reasonable selections based on the characteristics of the wastewater. The combined use of flocculants and wastewater treatment equipment can improve treatment efficiency and effectively solve wastewater treatment challenges.  How to Scientifically Select Flocculants Selecting the correct flocculant is a systematic scientific decision-making process, not simple trial and error. It is primarily based on the following points:  Water Quality Analysis:The wastewater's pH, alkalinity, suspended solids concentration and nature, and zeta potential must first be analyzed. For example, high pH can affect the efficiency of aluminum-based flocculants; cationic flocculants are preferred for treating organic sludge, which is typically negatively charged. Jar Testing:This is the most core and essential step. Tests are conducted in the laboratory using a multi-paddle stirrer to compare the effects of different types and dosages of flocculants in parallel on parameters such as floc size, settling speed, and supernatant clarity, thereby determining the optimal solution. Compatibility with Treatment Process:Different separation processes have different requirements for flocs. For example, flotation processes require light and fluffy flocs, making high-charge-density flocculants suitable, while sedimentation processes require heavy and compact flocs, making high-molecular-weight flocculants preferable. Overall Cost Consideration:It's important to consider not only the unit price of the chemical but also the cost per ton of treated water. Sometimes, a more expensive but highly efficient flocculant, due to its lower dosage and better treatment results, can have a lower overall cost.  Flocculants have evolved from an auxiliary chemical to a core technological means in modern wastewater treatment systems for achieving high-standard effluent, energy savings, reduced consumption, and resource utilization. From municipal sewage plants to various industrial wastewater treatment stations, their precise application directly relates to both environmental and economic benefits. In the future, with increasing water quality requirements, the development and application of green and environmentally friendly flocculants(such as modified natural polymers) and intelligent dosing systems will become important directions for continued development in this field.

1. PebbleStage: Pre-feasibility study/Scoping study  Ranked first is Northern Dynasty Minerals' Pebble project, with gold resources of 69.84 million ounces. Located near the Bristol Bay watershed in Alaska, the project has been stalled for over 10 years. The US Environmental Protection Agency's rejection of the project has led to legal disputes, and the fate of Pebble remains uncertain. 2. Olympic DamStage: Expansion  Olympic Dam ranks second, with gold resources of 65.6 million ounces. BHP Billiton plans a large-scale expansion of this copper, gold, and uranium complex in South Australia over the next few years. BHP plans to invest A$840 million in a series of growth projects to develop other deposits. Olympic Dam is also one of the world's largest copper mines. 3. GrasbergStage: In production  Ranked third is the Grasberg copper-gold mine in the Sudirman Mountains, with gold resources of 54 million ounces. Operated by Freeport McMoRan, the mine made headlines this year due to a fatal accident at its largest underground deposit, causing supply concerns in the copper market. Parts of Grasberg are still under long-term development, such as the Kucing Liar ore body and the early-stage Dom deposit. 4. KSMStage: Pre-feasibility study/Early construction  Seabridge Gold's Kerr-Sulphurets-Mitchell (KSM) project ranks fourth with gold resources of 41.4 million ounces. This project in British Columbia has been federally approved for 10 years, and since 2022, KSM has advanced early construction work, investing over C$550 million in construction. KSM is also involved in a legal dispute between its operator, Seabridge Gold, and neighboring explorer Tudor Gold. 5. Donlin Stage: Construction/Planning  Donlin is the second Alaskan project to enter this directory, ranking 5th with 40 million ounces of gold resources. Mining giant Barrick Gold previously owned a 50% stake in the project, but transferred its ownership to partners Novagold Resources and American hedge fund magnate John Paulson earlier this year. The new owners are considering a new feasibility study in 2027. 6. Siembra Minera Stage: Pre-feasibility/Scoping Study  Venezuela's Siembra Minera gold mine ranks 6th with 26.82 million ounces of gold resources. The project is owned by Siembra Minera, a joint venture between Gold Reserve (55%) and the Venezuelan government (45%). Last year, Gold Reserve raised $36 million to advance the development of this copper-gold project located in Bolívar State. 7. La Colosa Stage: Pre-feasibility/Scoping Study  AngloGold Ashanti's La Colosa project in Colombia ranks 7th with 23.35 million ounces of gold resources. The project has faced local opposition. Based on the results of a 2017 referendum, the Tenth Administrative Court of Ibagué approved a mining ban in Cajamarca, Colombia, and the mine has been stalled ever since. 8. Filo del Sol Stage: Pre-feasibility/Scoping Study  The Filo del Sol project, located on the border of Chile and Argentina, has 22.3 million ounces of gold resources. Previously owned by Canadian company Filo Corp., the project advanced to the pre-feasibility study stage based on its surface oxide ore resources. Earlier this year, the project was acquired by BHP and Lundin Mining. 9. Pascua-Lama  Stage: Late-Stage Exploration. Barrick Gold's troubled Pascua-Lama project in Chile has gold resources of 21.87 million ounces. Environmental issues plagued the project, and after a Chilean court ordered its "complete and permanent" closure, Barrick had to spend $136 million to terminate the project. 10. Cascabel Stage: Feasibility Study Begins. SolGold's Cascabel project in Ecuador ranks 10th, with gold resources of 21.8 million ounces. The company moved its headquarters to Switzerland this year and is pushing forward with the project's development. Cascabel is supported by mining giants such as BHP and Newmont. 11. Treaty Creek Stage: Resource Expansion. Tudor Gold's Treaty Creek gold mine in northwestern British Columbia ranks 11th, with gold resources of 21.66 million ounces. This year, Tudor applied for an underground exploration permit for the project. 12. South Deep Stage: Producing Gold Mine. Gold Fields' South Deep gold mine ranks 12th, with gold resources of 21.1 million ounces. The mine has been in operation since the 1970s, and its estimated lifespan extends beyond 2100, potentially making it the last large gold mine in South Africa. 13. Nevada Gold Mines  Stage: Production Expansion. Nevada Gold Mines, a joint venture between Barrick and Newmont, ranks 13th, with gold resources of 20.16 million ounces. The partnership between the two companies dates back to 2019, when Barrick launched a hostile takeover bid for Newmont, which was smaller at the time. Currently, Newmont could launch a bid to acquire Barrick's stake in the mine. 14. Norte Abierto Stage: Pre-Feasibility/Scoping Study. Norte Abierto is a joint venture between Barrick and Newmont in Chile, with each company holding a 50% stake, and has gold resources of 20 million ounces. The mine is located in the Atacama Region in the north of the country and was established in 2017 as a joint venture between Barrick's Cerro Casale and Newmont's Caspiche. 15. Onto Stage: Pre-feasibility/Scoping Study Vale's Onto copper-gold mine in Indonesia has gold resources of 20 million ounces, similar to Aviemore North, although the proportion of proven and probable resources is slightly higher. The mine was first announced in 2020 by Sumbawa Timur Mining, a joint venture between Eastern Star Resources Pty (80%) and Vale. 16. Golden Summit  Stage: Pre-feasibility/Scoping Study Freegold Venture's Golden Summit project in Alaska ranks 16th with gold resources of 18.24 million ounces. A resource update in July increased its estimated metal content by 42%, and the company's share price reached a 5-year high. 17. Elang-Dodo  Stage: Resource Expansion The Elang-Dodo project on Sumbawa Island in West Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia, has gold resources of 16.78 million ounces. The project is owned by PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara, which also operates the nearby Batu Hijau mine. 18. Metates  Stage: Pre-feasibility/Scoping Study Chesapeake Gold's Metates project in Durango, Mexico, has gold resources of 16.77 million ounces. In 2021, the company announced a breakthrough in the heap leaching of sulfide ore at the Metates project, which will improve the project's economics. 19. Panguna Stage: Pre-feasibility/Scoping Study The Panguna gold mine in Papua New Guinea has gold resources of 16.1 million ounces. The mine has a turbulent history; previously owned by Rio Tinto, it is currently operated by Bougainville Copper. The mine was closed in 1989 due to a decade-long civil conflict sparked by opposition to the mine, which resulted in over 20,000 deaths. Rio Tinto divested its stake in the project in 2016. In September, Papua New Guinea's national court dismissed a multi-billion dollar class-action lawsuit against Rio Tinto. 20. Detour Lake Stage: Ranking last among producing mines is Agnico Eagle Mines' Detour Lake project in Ontario, with gold resources of 15.79 million ounces. Last year, the company updated its plans for the project, including a preliminary economic assessment of an underground mine.