Interactive effects of the type of milling media and copper sulphate addition on the flotation performance of sulphide minerals from Merensky ore Part I: Pulp chemistry

Bradshaw, Deirdre J., Buswell, A. M., Harris, P. J. and Ekmekci, Z. (2006) Interactive effects of the type of milling media and copper sulphate addition on the flotation performance of sulphide minerals from Merensky ore Part I: Pulp chemistry. International Journal of Mineral Processing, 78 3: 153-163.


Author Bradshaw, Deirdre J.
Buswell, A. M.
Harris, P. J.
Ekmekci, Z.
Title Interactive effects of the type of milling media and copper sulphate addition on the flotation performance of sulphide minerals from Merensky ore Part I: Pulp chemistry
Journal name International Journal of Mineral Processing  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank A*)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2006-02
Sub-type Article
DOI 10.1016/j.minpro.2005.10.004
Volume number 78
Issue number 3
ISSN 0301-7516
Start page 153
End page 163
Total pages 11
Place of publication Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Publisher Elservier B. V.
Language eng
Subject 290702 Mineral Processing
290701 Mining Engineering
Abstract It is well known that the chemical environment determines the success of the flotation process, however its characterisation and control is difficult to achieve. This paper, as two parts, Part I and Part II, evaluates the use of various measurements and their interpretation to gain an understanding of the influence of varying parameters such as the type of milling media and copper sulphate addition on the flotation performance of sulphide minerals from a platinum group mineral (PGM) bearing Merensky ore. It shows the complexity of interpretation and the importance of analysing flotation performance holistically. Part I focuses on the pulp chemistry and mineral potential measurements have been used to show the differences in the response of the various mineral electrodes to different conditions. The final flotation recoveries of the sulphide minerals in the ore followed the same trend as the decrease in mineral potential due to collector addition viz. chalcopyrite > pentlandite > pyrrhotite. Type of milling media and copper sulphate addition slightly affected the mineral electrode potential and flotation recovery of chalcopyrite. Addition of copper sulphate increased the recovery of pentlandite and particularly pyrrhotite due to activation by copper (II) ions. The copper activation mechanism was likely to be in the form of initial adsorption of copper hydroxide followed by reduction to Cu+ at the surface. However, the changes in flotation performance of the different minerals in the ore could not be completely described by the electrochemical changes, demonstrating the limitations of these measurements. Part II addresses the effect of froth stability as demonstrated by the variations in the mass and water recovery data resulting from the different milling conditions and addition of copper sulphate which emphasised the importance of considering the froth phase in the evaluation of flotation data.
Keyword Batch Flotation Assessments
Pulp Chemistry
Materials analysis
Milling Quality
Sulphide ores
Flotation performance
Chalcopyrite
Copper hydroxide
Q-Index Code C1

 
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Created: Tue, 12 Jan 2010, 13:06:51 EST by Rosalind Blair on behalf of Sustainable Minerals Institute