Effect of organic depressant lignosulfonate calcium on separation of chalcopyrite from pyrite

Abstract

In order to selectively separate chalcopyrite from pyrite, the effect of organic depressant lignosulfonate calcium (LSC) on the flotation separation of chalcopyrite from pyrite was investigated by flotation tests. The depression mechanism was studied by Fourier-transform-infrared (FTIR) analysis. The flotation tests of single mineral show that LSC can depress the flotation of pyrite in a certain pH range, but it has little effect on chalcopyrite flotation. Flotation separation of a mixture of chalcopyrite and pyrite can be completed to obtain a copper concentrate grade up to 24.73% with a recovery of 80.36%. IR analysis shows that LSC and butyl xanthate compete in absorption on pyrite surface, and there exists an LSC characteristic peak on pyrite surface. There is little adsorption of LSC on chalcopyrite.

Keywords

flotation / chalcopyrite / pyrite / depression / separation

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