Research Institute of Comprehensive Exploitation of Mineral Resources — IPKON, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia:

T. N. Matveeva, Head of a Department, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, tmatveyeva@mail.ru

Norilsk Nickel, Norilsk, Russia:
E. N. Ivanova, Engineer-Technologist

With an intention to enhance efficiency and environmental safety of rebellious copper-zinc and copper-pyrite ore flotation, IPKON Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences has carried out and presents the laboratory research into adsorption and flotation properties of Clariant’s collecting agents Hostaflot M-91 and X-23 in combination with plant extractmodifier PE produced by IPKON from available domestic raw material. The plant issue is composed of extractive matters that are very soluble in water and various organic dissolvents. Using the method of particle–bubble detachment force measurement, it is shown than in the concentration range 10–25 mg/l, Hostaflot M-91 exerts the highest selective hydrophobic effect on chalcopyrite, which is comparable with xanthate, but has no hydrophobization effect on pyrite as against xanthate. Hostaflot X-23 has weaker hydrophobization influence on chalcopyrite and pyrite. With the help of UV spectrophotometry, it is found that the rate of adsorption of X-23 at pyrite and chalcopyrite is lower as compared with xanthate though the strength of X-23 adsorption is higher at chalcopyrite than at pyrite, which ensures the agent selectivity in copper-pyrite ore flotation. The flotation tests using samples of mineral fractions of pyrite and chalcopyrite from Berezovskoe and Gaiskoe deposits prove that agents Hostaflot M-91 and X-23 are selective relative to chalcopyrite and less selective relative to pyrite as compared with xanthate. Based on the laboratory experimentation results, it is shown that the plant extract is applicable as environmentally safe modifier to reduce floatability of pyrite in copper flotation circuit instead of lime conventionally used in copper-pyrite sulfide ore flotation. The optimal reagent mix formulations and the flotation regimes are substantiated and recommended as alternatives for the currently used solutions and modes at processing plants in Russia.
The study was carried out in accordance with IPKON RAS plan on topic No. 0138-2014-0002 under financial support granted by the RF President, Academician Chanturia School Grant NSh-748.2014.5.

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