The flotation of pyrite with xanthate is presented in the presence of iron ions in solution. Flotation recovery of pyrite in a Hallimond tube as a function of pH is shown that maximum pyrite flotation occurs at pH 3-4. The zeta potential measurements have been made at various pH values in the presence and absence of xanthate. Further, the effect of several conditioning times on the electrokinetic behaviour of pyrite was investigated. When the xanthate is added to the solution, zeta potential of pyrite changes from positive to negative especially at low pH. There is no direct relationship between recovery and zeta potential for pyrite. Also increasing conditioning time shifts the zeta potential curve toward positive values. TOC 9Total Organic Carbon) and ICP (Inductively Coupled Plazma Spectrophemetry) analyser were used to determine C and total Fe in the solutions. In addition, ferrous ion in the solution was analysed to explain the relation between pyrite flotation and ferrous ion concentration in the solution.
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