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Why do sulfide copper ores need an optimal degree of mineral liberation?

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Molten copper pours from a large industrial furnace into rectangular molds at a copper smelting facility, with glowing metal and industrial equipment visible. — copper processing Molten copper being made into plates.

In the context of copper processing, sulfide copper ores require an optimal degree of mineral liberation because they are typically processed using selective flotation.

During this process, finely ground ore is mixed with water and specific reagents to create a slurry. These reagents are designed to create an attraction between the surfaces of the copper minerals and air bubbles generated by mechanical or pneumatic agitation. For this separation to be effective, the copper minerals must be sufficiently liberated from the gangue—the unwanted waste materials—so that the bubbles can selectively attach to and carry the copper particles to the surface while leaving the waste behind.1

Achieving an optimal degree of liberation ensures that the flotation process can successfully produce a high-quality copper concentrate while minimizing losses in the tailings.1