Flotation of Refractory Marmatite Ore by Using Ammoniacal Copper (ii) Solution as Activator

Abstract

The flotation of a refactory marmatite ore in China has been studied by using ammoniacal copper (II) solution as the activator in this work, in order to improve the Zn recovery of the marmetite flotation. The experimental results have shown that the ACS could increase the Zn recovery of 9%, compared withcopper sulphate (a commonly used activator for sphalerite and marmatite). The marmatite flotation with the ACS as activator consume much less lime because it was realized at pH 9, while that with copper sulphate as the activator is carried out around pH 12. The less lime consumption not only leads to savings on operation costs, but also reduces the corrosions of flotation celss and stirring tanks, etc. The mechanism by which the ACS acts as activator in marmatite flotation has been found to be attributed to the chemical adsorption of copper (II)-ammonia complexes (CuNH32 and Cu(NH3)22) on marmatite surfaces, leaving to active sites on the surfaces for the adsorption of xanthate ions.