A review of the fundamental studies of the copper activation mechanisms for selective flotation of sulfide minerals, sphalerite ansd pyrite
Date
2009
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Chandra, A.P.
Gerson, A.R.
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Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, 2009; 145(1-2):97-110
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A review of the considerable, but often contradictory, literature examining the specific surface reactionsassociated with copper adsorption onto the common metal sulfide minerals sphalerite, (Zn,Fe)S, and pyrite(FeS2), and the effect of the co-location of the two minerals is presented. Copper “activation”, involving thesurface adsorption of copper species from solution onto mineral surfaces to activate the surface forhydrophobic collector attachment, is an important step in the flotation and separation of minerals in an ore.Due to the complexity of metal sulfide mineral containing systems this activation process and the emergenceof activation products on the mineral surfaces are not fully understood for most sulfide minerals even afterdecades of research.Factors such as copper concentration, activation time, pH, surface charge, extent of pre-oxidation, water andsurface contaminants, pulp potential and galvanic interactions are important factors affecting copperactivation of sphalerite and pyrite. A high pH, the correct reagent concentration and activation time and ashort time delay between reagent additions is favourable for separation of sphalerite from pyrite. Sufficientoxidation potential is also needed (through O2 conditioning) to maintain effective galvanic interactionsbetween sphalerite and pyrite. This ensures pyrite is sufficiently depressed while sphalerite floats. Goodwater quality with low concentrations of contaminant ions, such as Pb2+and Fe2+, is also needed to limitinadvertent activation and flotation of pyrite into zinc concentrates. Selectivity can further be increased andreagent use minimised by opting for inert grinding and by carefully choosing selective pyrite depressantssuch as sulfoxy or cyanide reagents. Studies that approximate plant conditions are essential for thedevelopment of better separation techniques and methodologies.Improved experimental approaches and surface sensitive techniques with high spatial resolution are neededto precisely verify surface structures formed after copper activation. Sphalerite and pyrite surfaces arecharacterised by varying amounts of steps and defects, and this heterogeneity suggests co-existence of morethan one copper–sulfide structure after activation.
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Copyright 2008 Elsevier