Studies on the Application of LIX-84 in the Flotation of Mixed Oxide-Sulphide Copper Ore

摘要

Flotation studies were carried out on mixed oxide-sulphide copper ore using the solvent extractant 2-hydroxy-5-nonyl-acetophenone oxime, commonly known as LIX-84. The important flotation parameters namely pH, reagent concentration, conditioning time, etc. were investigated in the batch flotation experiments. The ore microscopic studies were carried out to understand the role of mineralogy in the flotation studies. The results of the beneficiation studies indicated that copper minerals can be floated readily using LIX-84 as the collector. From a feed containing ~1.12 percent Cu and 3.8 percent Fe, it was possible to obtain 18.7 percent Cu with a recovery of more than 85 percent. The flotation performance of LIX-84 as the collector was compared with the plant reagent sodium isopropyl xanthate with respect to kinetics and selectivity.