Flotation characteristics and flotation process of chalcopyrite

Chalcopyrite is a copper-iron sulfide mineral and the most abundant copper ore mineral found in a wide range of hydrothermal environments. It is commonly associated with sphalerite and galena. It oxidizes to form copper minerals such as malachite, azurite, cuprite, and feldspar.

Chalcopyrite is a copper-iron sulfide mineral and the most abundant copper ore mineral.

The current flotation processes used in the chalcopyrite industry include mixed flotation, complete preferential flotation, and partial preferential collectors including xanthate and its derivatives, black agents and their derivatives, sulfur and nitrogen collectors, and sulfhydryl compounds. wait. Experiments show that the 10% mixed flotation process first flotates chalcopyrite and other useful minerals, and then adopts a process that preferentially floats copper and suppresses other minerals to obtain qualified copper concentrate.

This process is suitable for processing ores with low raw ore grades and simple ore properties. It has the advantage of saving grinding costs, flotation chemicals and flotation equipment. However, this process is difficult to separate useful minerals and the concentrate grade is low.

Associated minerals such as pyrite are inhibited by adding inhibitors such as lime. This process can achieve good flotation effects, but it requires a large amount of lime, and also reduces the grade of copper concentrate and the recovery rate of copper and associated gold, silver, molybdenum and other rare precious metals.

Mixed flotation process

Partially preferred, this process can reduce the dosage of flotation reagents and improve flotation indicators. However, it requires more flotation separators.

The flotation process can process polymetallic ores, where one of the minerals in the ore has good floatability. Other ores can be divided into easy flotation and difficult flotation.

Good specifications can be obtained with this flotation process. It does not require the addition of regulators, inhibitors and activators, maintains the natural floatability of minerals, reduces the use of chemicals and simplifies flotation equipment.