Flotation process of lead-, copper-, uranium- and rare earth minerals

摘要

A process and flotation agents are provided for flotation of lead-, uranium-, and rare earth-type minerals and ores in which an aqueous pulp of the mineral or ore is subjected to a froth flotation, characterized in that the flotation is performed in the presence of a tertiary amine flotation agent having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein: R is a aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from about six to about twenty four carbon atoms;PPA is an oxyalkylene group having from about two to about four carbon atoms;PP X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and hydroxyl;P PM IS A NUMBER WITHIN THE RANGE FROM 0 TO ABOUT 10;P PN .sub.1 IS A NUMBER WITHIN THE RANGE FROM 1 TO ABOUT 4;P PN .sub.2 IS 1, 2 OR 3;PPX IS A NUMBER WITHIN THE RANGE FROM 0 TO ABOUT 4;PPY IS 0 OR 1;PP THE SUM OF M + Y BEING WITHIN THE RANGE FROM 1 TO ABOUT 11; AND SALTS THEREOF.P PThe process is especially applicable in the flotation of sulphide and oxide ores and minerals.