A review of pyrrhotite flotation chemistry in the processing of PGM ores

Miller, J. D., Li, J., Davidz, J. C. and Vos, F. (2005). A review of pyrrhotite flotation chemistry in the processing of PGM ores. In: Barry A. Wills, Selected papers from Precious Metals ’04. Precious Metals 2004 Conference, Cape Town, South Africa, (855-865). 10-12 November 2004.


Author Miller, J. D.
Li, J.
Davidz, J. C.
Vos, F.
Title of paper A review of pyrrhotite flotation chemistry in the processing of PGM ores
Conference Paper Type Fully Published Paper
Conference name Precious Metals 2004 Conference
DOI 10.1016/j.mineng.2005.02.011
Conference location Cape Town, South Africa
Conference dates 10-12 November 2004
Proceedings title Selected papers from Precious Metals ’04  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank A*)   Check publisher's open access policy
Journal name Minerals Engineering  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank A*)   Check publisher's open access policy
Editor Barry A. Wills
Place published Kidlington, Oxford, United Kingdom
Publisher Pergamon
Publication date 2005
Volume number 18
Issue number 8
ISSN 0892-6875; 1872-9444
Start page 855
End page 865
Total pages 11
Language eng
Formatted Abstract/Summary The chemistry of pyrrhotite flotation using xanthate collectors is reviewed with respect to the processing of PGM ores and the recent results from captive bubble contact angle measurements at the University of Utah are presented. In some cases a low flotation recovery of PGM may be due to the surface state of pyrrhotite particles under conventional flotation conditions (open to air and pH 9.0).

Thermodynamically pyrrhotite is not stable and reacts relatively quickly with its environment. Natural/collectorless flotation of pyrrhotite is observed only under a low oxidation potential in acidic solution. Its surface is easily oxidized to ferric hydroxide/oxide under conventional flotation conditions, creating a hydrophilic state at the pyrrhotite surface and low flotation recovery even though xanthate collectors can be adsorbed. Under these conditions, activation by copper is not easily achieved. These observations reported in the literature have been confirmed by captive bubble contact angle measurements. Based on the analysis of previous research, conditions for improved pyrrhotite flotation and increased PGM recovery are suggested.
Keyword Pyrrhotite
PGM
Flotation
Xanthate
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Provisional Code
Institutional Status Non-UQ

Document type: Conference Paper
Sub-type: Fully Published Paper
Collection: Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre Publications
 
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Created: Mon, 03 Oct 2011, 08:30:38 EST by Karen Holtham on behalf of Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre