The influence of the reagent suite on the flotation of ores from the Merensky reef

Wiese, J.G.; Harris, Peter; Bradshaw, Dee

doi:10.1016/j.mineng.2004.09.013

Cited by 81 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Lawson et al [22] showed a difference in pyrrhotite recovery between non-magnetic and magnetic circuits of the Sudbury ore where pyrrhotite depression was targeted. Similarly, results of batch flotation tests performed on Bushveld Merensky Reef ores by Wiese et al [23] have shown that the recovery of pyrrhotite from Merensky Reef ore from one location was greatly increased when copper sulfate was used as an activator during flotation, whereas for ore from another location the effect of copper sulfate addition on pyrrhotite recovery was minor. It is probable that these differences in recovery may have been due to the differences in pyrrhotite mineralogy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 83%

“…Using pyrrhotite samples derived from the Mengzi lead zinc ore deposit, He et al [21] also showed that monoclinic pyrrhotite was more floatable than "hexagonal" pyrrhotite. Others such as Lawson et al [22] and Wiese et al [23] have demonstrated that differences in flotation performance between different pyrrhotite types exist. Lawson et al [22] showed a difference in pyrrhotite recovery between non-magnetic and magnetic circuits of the Sudbury ore where pyrrhotite depression was targeted.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The mineralogy of pyrrhotite from Sudbury CCN and Phoenix nickel ores and its effect on flotation performance

Becker

Bradshaw

Villiers

2011

Canadian Metallurgical Quarterly

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The non-stoichiometric sulfide pyrrhotite (Fe (1-x) S), common to many nickel ores, occurs in a variety of crystallographic forms and compositions. In order to manipulate its performance in nickel processing operations either to target the recovery or rejection or pyrrhotite, one needs an understanding of pyrrhotite mineralogy, reactivity and the effect this may have on its flotation performance. In this study, a non-magnetic Fe 9 S 10 pyrrhotite from Sudbury CCN in Canada and a magnetic Fe 7 S 8 pyrrhotite from Phoenix in Botswana were selected to explore the relationship between mineralogy, reactivity and microflotation. Non-magnetic Sudbury pyrrhotite was less reactive in terms of its oxygen uptake and showed the best collectorless flotation recovery. Magnetic Phoenix pyrrhotite was more reactive and showed poor collectorless flotation, which was significantly improved with the addition of xanthate and copper activation. These differences in reactivity and flotation performance are interpreted to 1 be a result of the pyrrhotite mineralogy, the implications of which may aid in the manipulation of flotation performance.Keywords: pyrrhotite, mineralogy, oxidation, reactivity and sulfide flotation 2 INTRODUCTIONPyrrhotite Fe (1-x) S is one of the most commonly occurring metal sulfide minerals and is recognised in a variety of ore deposits including nickel-copper, lead-zinc, and platinum group element. Since the principal nickel ore mineral, pentlandite, almost ubiquitously occurs coexisting with pyrrhotite, the understanding of the behaviour of pyrrhotite during flotation is of fundamental interest. For many nickel processing operations, pyrrhotite is rejected to the tailings in order to control circuit throughput and concentrate grade and thereby reduce excess sulfur dioxide smelter emissions, e.g. Sudbury [1]. However, for some nickel processing operations, pyrrhotite recovery is targeted due to the abundant fine grained pentlandite locked in pyrrhotite, e.g. Phoenix pyrrhotite at Tati Nickel Mine. Therefore, the ability to manipulate pyrrhotite performance in flotation is of great importance. It can be best achieved if the mineralogical characteristics of the pyrrhotite being processed can be measured and the relationship between mineralogy and flotation performance is understood.The pyrrhotite mineral group is non-stoichiometric and has the generic formula of Fe (1-x) S where 0 ≤ x < 0.125. Pyrrhotite is based on the nickeline (NiAs) structure and is comprised of several superstructures owing to the presence and ordering of vacancies within its structure.Numerous pyrrhotite superstructures have been recognised in the literature, but only three of them are naturally occurring at ambient conditions [2,3]. This includes the stoichiometric FeS known as troilite which is generally found in extraterrestrial localities, but on occasion, has also been recognised in some nickel deposits. The commonly occurring magnetic pyrrhotite is correctly known as 4C pyrrhotite, has an ideal composition Fe 7 S 8 and monoclinic cr...

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 83%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The mineralogy of pyrrhotite from Sudbury CCN and Phoenix nickel ores and its effect on flotation performance

Becker

Bradshaw

Villiers

2011

Canadian Metallurgical Quarterly

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“…Using pyrrhotite samples derived from the Mengzi Pb-Zn ore deposit, He et al (2008) also showed that monoclinic pyrrhotite was more floatable than ''hexagonal" pyrrhotite. Others such as Lawson et al (2005) and Wiese et al (2005) have shown differences in pyrrhotite flotation performance that must surely be due to mineralogy. Lawson et al (2005) showed a difference in pyrrhotite recovery between non-magnetic and magnetic circuits of the Sudbury ore where pyrrhotite depression was targeted.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…Lawson et al (2005) showed a difference in pyrrhotite recovery between non-magnetic and magnetic circuits of the Sudbury ore where pyrrhotite depression was targeted. Similarly, results of batch flotation tests performed on Bushveld Merensky Reef ores by Wiese et al (2005) have shown that the recovery of pyrrhotite from Merensky Reef ore from one location was greatly increased when copper sulfate was used as an activator during flotation, whereas for ore from another location the effect of copper sulfate addition on pyrrhotite recovery was minor. Gerson and Jasieniak (2008) also showed that the copper activation of magnetic pyrrhotite and non-magnetic pyrrhotite differed according to pyrrhotite type.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

The flotation of magnetic and non-magnetic pyrrhotite from selected nickel ore deposits

Becker

Villiers

Bradshaw

2010

Minerals Engineering

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a b s t r a c tThe non-stoichiometric sulfide mineral pyrrhotite (Fe (1Àx) S), common to many nickel ore deposits, occurs in different crystallographic forms and compositions. A series of pyrrhotite samples derived from Canada, South Africa and Botswana whose mineralogy is well characterised, were selected here in order to develop the relationship between mineralogy and flotation performance. Using both oxygen uptake and microflotation tests, the behaviour of the different pyrrhotite types was compared in terms of the effect of pH and collector addition. Non-magnetic pyrrhotite was less reactive in terms of its oxygen uptake and showed the best collectorless flotation recovery. Magnetic pyrrhotite was more reactive and showed poor collectorless flotation performance that could be improved with the addition of xanthate collector, but only if it was not already passivated. These differences are interpreted to be a result of pyrrhotite mineralogy. This has implications that may aid the manipulation of pyrrhotite flotation performance in processing operations.

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“…Paulson and Pugh (1996) was replotted as recovery versus ionic strength rather than molar concentration, it may actually generate 2 groups which will be more agree with Craig's αβ rules. In Harris (2011)'s study, standard plant water (Wiese et al, 2005) was used as the base water quality (1Plant) and the levels of the ions doubled or tripled (2Plant or 3Plant) for the higher ionic strength flotation tests as shown in Table 2.3. They reported that the increase in the ionic strength of the system resulted in an increase in froth stability, leading to increased mass pulls and water recoveries.…”

Section: Inhibition Of Bubble Coalescencementioning

confidence: 99%

Slime coating mitigation on mineral surfaces in froth flotation by saline water

Zhao¹

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Fine and ultra-fine particle flotation is central to the mining industry as a result of the need to treat low grade and difficult ores which require fine grinding to liberate valuable minerals from gangue minerals. However, the flotation of fine and ultra-fine particles is not efficient and a slime coating with slime gangue particles attaching to valuable minerals is one of the most popular barriers. A slime coating prevents the adsorption of collectors on the surface of valuable minerals resulting in low flotation recovery or low product quality.Saline water is also an important issue in the mining industry. In Western Australia, bore water with a high ionic strength has to be used at mine sites for production, site rehabilitation, and downstream processing because fresh water is not available locally. In Queensland, most mine sites have adopted water re-use as a means for making freshwater savings. However, water re-use results in increased salinity in site water stores, which is driven largely by evaporation and ongoing salt inputs from spoil, minerals and groundwater. Flotation relies on a large amount of water and therefore the impact of saline water on flotation performance has gained more and more attention.In this research, the role of saline water in the mitigation of slime coatings was studied and a generic approach to improve fine and ultra-fine particle flotation by using saline water was developed, building on the previous research. A model slime coating system was established by using copper minerals in the presence of clay particles. It was found that chalcocite flotation was depressed in the presence of bentonite slimes while chalcopyrite flotation was less affected.Electrostatic interactions between copper minerals and clay particles were found to be responsible for the different flotation of chalcocite and chalcopyrite in the presence of clay minerals. It was found that surface oxidation occurred during II grinding and changed the surface properties of chalcopyrite and chalcocite.Chalcocite was strongly oxidized while chalcopyrite was slightly oxidized after the grinding with stainless steel media. The different extent of surface oxidation resulted in the different electrical property of chalcocite and chalcopyrite surfaces.The strongly oxidized chalcocite surface became positively charged after grinding at the same pH and electrostatically attractive to bentonite particles resulting in the depressed chalcocite flotation. In contrast, the slightly oxidized chalcopyrite surface remained negatively charged after grinding at pH 9.0 and entropically repulsive from bentonite slime particles. Therefore, bentonite slimes did not influence chalcopyrite flotation as much as chalcocite flotation.Mitigation of slime coatings on chalcocite in flotation by using electrolytes was further investigated and kaolinite was used to introduce the slime. The results indicated that in tap water, the presence of kaolinite slimes depressed chalcocite flotation. With the addition of electrolytes to the flotation...

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The influence of the reagent suite on the flotation of ores from the Merensky reef

Cited by 81 publications

References 2 publications

The mineralogy of pyrrhotite from Sudbury CCN and Phoenix nickel ores and its effect on flotation performance

The mineralogy of pyrrhotite from Sudbury CCN and Phoenix nickel ores and its effect on flotation performance

The flotation of magnetic and non-magnetic pyrrhotite from selected nickel ore deposits

Slime coating mitigation on mineral surfaces in froth flotation by saline water

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