The selective separation of fluorite, barite and calcite with valonea extract and sodium fluosilicate as depressants

摘要

Fluorite, barite and calcite are important industry minerals but they often co-exist, and selectively separating them is difficult due to similar surface properties. In this study, depressants, valonea extract and sodium fluosilicate were explored to selectively float them with sodium oleate as the collector based on the different depressant-mineral interactions revealed by electrostatic studies. Valonea extract displayed the strongest depression on calcite, while sodium fluosilicate displayed the strongest depression on barite. This allowed selective separation of the three minerals through sequential flotation. Flotation of mixed minerals showed that 94% calcite was successfully depressed by valonea extract, and 95% fluorite concentrate was achieved in the subsequent flotation with sodium fluosilicate depressing barite. This study provides a direction how to process fluorite, barite and calcite resources.