Cationic flotation of cupriferous minerals with alginates - without desliming and with simultaneous oxide, carbonate and sulphide flotation

摘要

A process using alginates for the flotation of cupriferous carbonates in the presence of oxides and sulphides by the sulphuration process without prior desliming is claimed. The alginate is used with slime depressants and a cationic collector in conjunction with an ethoxylated amine adjunct. A supporting agent e.g. sodium dioctylsulphosuccinate (SULPHIMEL DOS 75 RTM) and gas oil emulsion may be used. The alginate is used in soln. or as a coarse suspension in an alkaline (Na2CO3) medium e.g. SOBRAGENE RS2 (RTM), which may be used with slime controllers e.g. sodium silicate, CM-cellulose or starch; the cationic collector is an (un)branched 10-14C alkyl-subst. poly- or di-amine e.g. coconut oil diamine, which may be used in emulsion or solution or in both. Yields are improved by dispersion of the collector with an ethoxylated amine such as the triethoxydiamine deriv. of tallow where the no. of ethoxy gps. should be 7. The addn. of sodium dioctylsulphosuccin(am)ate gives better yields. The sulphurating agent is NaHS or Na2S (75 kg/kg of recovered Cu) at pH 10-11. Methylisobutylcarbinol is a suitable frothing agent.