Advances in depressants for flotation separation of Cu–Fe sulfide minerals at low alkalinity:A critical review

The flotation separation of Cu–Fe sulfide minerals at low alkalinity can be achieved using selective depressants.In the flotation system of Cu–Fe sulfide minerals,depressants usually preferentially interact with the pyrite surface to render the mineral surface hydrophilic and hinder the adsorption of the collector.This review summarizes the advances in depressants for the flotation separation of Cu–Fe sulfide minerals at low alkalinity.These advances include use of inorganic depressants (oxidants and sulfur–oxygen compounds),natural polysaccharides (starch,dextrin,konjac glucomannan,and galactomannan),modified polymers (carboxymethyl cellulose,polyacrylamide,lignosulfonate,and tricarboxylate sodium starch),organic acids (polyglutamic acid,sodium humate,tannic acid,pyrogallic acid,salicylic acid,and lactic acid),sodium dimethyl dithiocarbamate,and diethylenetriamine.The potential application of specific inorganic and organic depressants in the flotation separation of Cu–Fe sulfide minerals at low alkalinity is reviewed.The advances in the use of organic depressants with respect to the flotation separation of Cu–Fe sulfide minerals are comprehensively detailed.Additionally,the depression performances and mechanisms of different types of organic depressants on mineral surfaces are summarized.Finally,several perspectives on depressants vis-à-vis flotation separation of Cu–Fe sulfide minerals at low alkalinity are proposed.

New influence factor inducing difficulty in selective flotation separation of Cu–Zn mixed sulfide minerals

Selective flotation separation of Cu-Zn mixed sulfides has been proven to be difficult. Thus far, researchers have found no satis- factory way to separate Cu-Zn mixed sulfides by selective flotation, mainly because of the complex surface and interface interaction mecha- nisms in the flotation solution. Undesired activation occurs between copper ions and the sphalerite surfaces. In addition to recycled water and mineral dissolution, ancient fluids in the minerals are observed to be a new source of metal ions. In this study, significant amounts of ancient fluids were found to exist in Cu-Zn sulfide and gangue minerals, mostly as gas-liquid fluid inclusions. The concentration of copper ions re- leased from the ancient fluids reached 1.02 × 10-6 tool/L, whereas, in the cases of sphalerite and quartz, this concentration was 0.62 ×10-6 mol/L and 0.44 × 10-6 mol/L, respectively. As a result, the ancient fluid is a significant source of copper ions compared to mineral dissolution under the same experimental conditions, which promotes the unwanted activation of sphalerite. Therefore, the ancient fluid is considered to be a new factor that affects the selective flotation separation of Cu-Zn mixed sulfide ores.

Separation of Clay Minerals from Host Sediments Using Cation Exchange Resins

Classic physical and chemical treatments applied to separating clay minerals from the host sediments are often difficult or aggressive for clay minerals. A technique using cation exchange resins (amberlite IRC\|50H and amberlite IR\|120) is used to separate clay minerals from the host sediments. The technique is based on the exchange of cations in the minerals that may be associated clay minerals in sediments, such as Ca and Mg from dolomite; Ca from calcite, gypsum and francolite with cations carried by resin radicals. The associated minerals such as gypsum, calcite, dolomite and francolite are removed in descending order. Separation of clay minerals using cation exchange resins is less aggressive than that by other classic treatments. The efficiency of amberlite IRC\|50H in the removal of associated minerals is greater than that of amberlite IR\|120.

Redetermination of the Depositional Age of the Haerdaban Group in the Northern Margin of the Yili Block,Western Tianshan,NW China:Implications for Regional Tectonics and Pb-Zn Mineralization

The Yili Block in the Western Tianshan orogen is a key area for understanding the early crustal formation and evolution of the Central Asian orogenic belt,due to the widely-distributed Precambrian rocks.Also,it hosts a lot of medium–to large-scale sedimentary exhalative(SEDEX)Pb-Zn deposits that mainly occur in Proterozoic metamorphosed clasticcarbonate rocks.In this study,LA-ICP-MS U-Pb analyses were carried out on detrital zircons in siltstones of the Precambrian Haerdaban Group in the Haerdaban Pb-Zn deposit and magmatic zircons in the diorite dyke that cuts through the strata and orebodies.The maximum depositional age of the siltstones was determined to be about 604 Ma,the diorite having formed at approximately 500 Ma.As such,the Haerdaban Group was most likely formed in the Neoproterozoic Sinian,rather than the previously considered Mesoproterozoic Changchengian.Detrital materials of the Haerdaban Group were mostly derived from the Nanhua–Sinian mafic dykes and granitic rocks around Lake Sayram at the northern margin of the Yili Block.It is proposed that the Yili Block,together with the Kazakhstan and Central Tianshan blocks and the Tarim Craton,might all pertain to the same Rodinia supercontinent,which has great potential for targeting large to super-large SEDEX Pb-Zn deposits.

Changes of Clay Mineral Association After High-Gradient Magnetic Separation

The changes of clay mineral association after high-gradient magnetic separation (HGMS) treatment, and the effects of chemical and physical technologies on concentrating Fe oxides for main soils in central and southern China were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and chemical analysis methods. Results indicated that the concentrating times of Fe oxides by HGMS treatment were the largest for 0.2-2 μmsize fractions in the examined soils. For the soils in which 2: 1 phyllosilicates were dominant, concentrating times of iron oxides by HGMS treatment were larger than by 5 mol L-1 NaOH treatment. Phyllosili-cates were decreased after HGMS treatment; however, the decrease was less than that of kaorolinite. The goet bite / (goethite + hematie) values in Fe oxides of the soils kept virtually constant after HGMSt reatment.

Flotation Separating Rutile from Calcium and Silicon Gangue Minerals

Rutile separation from calcite, apatite and quartz by flotation was investigated. The results show that the rutile separation from calcium and silicon gangue minerals can be realized with alkyl-imino-bismethylene phosphoric acid (TF112) as a collector and sodium hexametaphosphate (SH) as a regulator.

Monazite Recovery by Magnetic and Gravity Separation of Medium Grade Zircon Concentrate from Senegalese Heavy Mineral Sands Deposit

Gravity, magnetic and electrostatic separation methods allowed to obtain different titanium oxide concentrates (ilmenite, leucoxene, rutile) and different varieties of zircon concentrates (premium zircon, standard zircon, medium grade zircon standard) from Senegal’s heavy mineral sands. During mining separation, monazite, which is a paramagnetic mineral, was found in a non-negligible concentration of 0.57 wt% on average in the medium grade zircon standard which also contains 37.96 wt% zircon and 44.46 wt% titanium oxides. Magnetic and gravity separation tests were carried out on the Medium grade zircon standard (MGZS) to produce a monazite concentrate at Eramet Ideas laboratory. Magnetic separation at 1.5 teslas intensity resulted in the recovery of 94.8% of the monazite from the MGZS. Gravity separation also recovered 76.6% of the monazite from the MGZS. The combination of these two treatment methods can thus produce three concentrates from MGZS (a monazite concentrate, a zircon concentrate, and a titanium oxide concentrate).

Electrostatic Separation as a Characterizing Tool for the Insulation of Conductive Mineral Particles

This work deals with a non-conventional use of a drum-type electrostatic separator. Indeed, the electrostatic separation process is used as a tool to evaluate the efficiency of different formulations of insulating coatings surrounding coarse and irregular conducting mineral particles. Our analysis is based on the change of the particle’s distribution in the conductive and the non-conductive pans after the electrostatic separation process. Different coating formulations were tested and we found that only hydrophobic components have to be used and that a composite formulation must be considered to sufficiently increase the coating thickness. Viscous hydrophobic oil combined with talc is a particularly relevant coating formulation for insulating hematite or ilmenite particles. The viscosity of the binder plays a crucial role as it guarantees the necessary cohesion of the coating itself. To evaluate the required thickness to obtain efficient insulating capabilities for the coating surrounding coarse and irregular mineral particles, we linked the experimental volume ratio between the coating and the particles and the theoretical ratio. The experimental volume ratio is calculated using the weights of all the materials used and their respective densities. Whereas, the theoretical one is calculated using the volume the mineral particles would have, considering them all identical, spherical, with a smooth surface and the volume of the coating being uniform with the same thickness on each mineral particle. We found that an efficient insulating coating for hematite particles means a thickness of 9.5% of the average mineral radius, ranging from 125 μm to 1250 μm, resulting in an equivalent insulating thickness of about 48 μm for particles of around 1 mm in diameter. Interestingly, all results originate from the analysis of the change occurring in the particle’s distribution in the different collecting pans of an electrostatic separator.

Selection of Multifractal Scaling Breaks andSeparation of Geochemical andGeophysical Anomaly

Spatially superimposed multiple processes such as multiplicative cascade processes often generate multifractal measures possessing so-called self-similarity or self-affinity that can be described by power- law type of functions within certain scale ranges The multifractalities can be estimated by applying multifractal modeling to the measures reflecting the characteristics of the physical processes such as the element concentration values analyzed in rock and soil samples and caused by the underlying mineralization processes and the other geological processes. The local and regional geological processes may result in geochemical patterns with distinct multifractalities as wall as variable scaling ranges. Separation of these multifractal measures on the basis of both the distinct multifractalities and the scaling ranges will be significant for both theoretical studies of multifractal modeling and its applications. Multifractal scaling breaks have been observed from various multifractal patterns. This paper introduces a technique for separating multifractal measures on the basis of scaling breaks. It has been demonstrated that the method is effective for decomposing geochemical and geophysical anomalies required for mineral exploration. A dataset containing the element concentration values of potassium and phosphorus in soil samples was employed for demonstrating the application of the method for studying the fertilizer and yield optimization in agriculture

Research Progress of the Mineralization of Carbonate-Hosted Pb-Zn Deposits in the Sichuan-Yunnan-Guizhou Pb-Zn Metallogenic Province, Southwest China

The Sichuan-Yunnan-Guizhou （SYG） Pb-Zn metallogenic province in the western Yangtze Block, is a key component of the low-temperature metallogenic domain in South China. In this area, more than 400 Pb-Zn deposits have been discovered, and the total proven reserves are up to 260 million tons with lead and zinc grade reaching 10%, even up to 30%.

High-reliability zircon separation for hunting the oldest material on Earth： An automatic zircon separator with image-processing/microtweezers-manipulating system and double-step dating

Despite the recent development in radiometric dating of numerous zircons by LA-ICPMS, mineral separation still remains a major obstacle, particularly in the search for the oldest material on Earth. To improve the efficiency in zircon separation by an order of magnitude, we have designed/developed a new machine-an automatic zircon separator（AZS）. This is designed particularly for automatic pick-up of100 μm-sized zircon grains out of a heavy mineral fraction after conventional separation procedures. The AZS operates in three modes：（1） image processing to choose targeted individual zircon grains out of all heavy minerals spread on a tray,（2） automatic capturing of the individual zircon grains with microtweezers, and（3） placing them one-by-one in a coordinated alignment on a receiving tray. The automatic capturing was designed/created for continuous mineral selecting without human presence for many hours. This software also enables the registration of each separated zircon grain for dating, by recording digital photo-image, optical（color） indices, and coordinates on a receiving tray. We developed two new approaches for the dating; i.e.（1） direct dating of zircons selected by LA-ICPMS without conventional resin-mounting/polishing,（2） high speed U-Pb dating, combined with conventional sample preparation procedures using the new equipment with multiple-ion counting detectors（LA-MIC-ICPMS）.With the first approach, Pb-Pb ages obtained from the surface of a mineral were crosschecked with the interior of the same grain after resin-mounting/polishing. With the second approach, the amount of time required for dating one zircon grain is ca. 20 s, and a sample throughput of 〉150 grains per hour can be achieved with sufficient precision（ca. 0.5%）.We tested the practical efficiency of the AZS, by analyzing an Archean Jack Hills conglomerate in Western Australia with the known oldest（〉4.3 Ga） zircon on Earth. Preliminary results are positive; we were able to obtain more than 194 zircons that are over 4.0 Ga out of ca. 3800 checked grains, and 9 grains were over 4300 Ma with the oldest at 4371 ± 7 Ma. This separation system by AZS, combined with the new approaches, guarantees much higher yield in the hunt for old zircons.

Magnetic separation studies on ferruginous chromite fine to enhance Cr:Fe ratio

The Cr：Fe ratio （chromium-to-iron mass ratio） of chromite affects the production of chrome-based ferroalloys. Although the lit- erature contains numerous reports related to the magnetic separation of different minerals, limited work concerning the application of mag- netic separation to fine chromite from the Sukinda region of India to enhance its Cr：Fe ratio has been reported. In the present investigation, magnetic separation and mineralogical characterization studies of chromite fines were conducted to enhance the Cr：Fe ratio. Characterization studies included particle size and chemical analyses, X-ray diffraction analysis, automated mineral analysis, sink-and-float studies, and mag- netic susceptibility measurements, whereas magnetic separation was investigated using a rare earth drum magnetic separator, a rare earth roll magnetic separator, an induced roll magnetic separator, and a wet high-intensity magnetic separator. The fine chromite was observed to be upgraded to a Cr：Fe ratio of 2.2 with a yield of 55.7% through the use of an induced roll magnetic separator and a feed material with a Cr：Fe ratio of 1.6.

Effect of magnetic pulse pretreatment on grindability of a magnetite ore and its implication on magnetic separation

The pulsed power is a potential means for energy saving and presents an alternative to the conventional mechanical communication for minerals.The effect of magnetic pulse treatment on grindability of a magnetite ore was investigated by grindability tests.The results of the investigation show that the pulsed treatment has little effect on the particle size distribution of the magnetite ore.Significant micro-cracks or fractures are not found by SEM analysis in magnetic pulse treated sample.Magnetic separation of magnetic pulse treated and untreated magnetite ore indicates that iron recovery increases from 81.3% in the untreated sample to 87.7% in the magnetic pulse treated sample,and the corresponding iron grade increases from 42.1% to 44.4%.The results demonstrate that the magnetic pulse treatment does not significantly weaken the mineral grain boundaries or facilitate the liberation of minerals,but is beneficial to magnetic separation.

Study on Separation of Pb and Zn from Mixed Rougher Concentrates

The compositions of Pb and Zn mixed rougher concentrates were studied. The process utilizes flotation and gravity flow sheet to separate Pb or Zn. Pb and Zn in the tailings were reclaimed by gravity more efficiently. This test used an ion-wave shaking table developed by Kunming University of Science and Technology. Based on the test results, the optimum test condition was chosen and testing of synthetic condition was performed. The results show that the process produces a final Zn concentrate with a 42.16% grade and 79.64% recovery and a final Pb concentrate with a 46.52% grade and 78.41% recovery.

Mineralogical and chemical compositions of glauconite and glauconitic rocks and assumption for the formation of the minerals in the Kyzyltokoy basin, Kyrgyzstan

This study is focused on the mineralogical and chemical compositions,deposition environment and mechanism of formation of sediments of Kyzyltokoy basin.By an interpretation of formation,an environment of sedimentation of a basin was separated into three general conditions:a condition where glauconitization process interrupted,where process reached a completion and where occurred decay of glauconites,i.e.,the beginning and interruption in the middle of glauconitization,completion of the

On the impact of grinding conditions in the flotation of semi-soluble salt-type mineral-containing ores driven by surface or particle geometry effects?

Grinding and flotation processes are often studied independently, despite the well-established grinding influence on flotation performance, which affects not only particle size and thus liberation but also shape and leads to complex changes in pulp chemistry affecting the particle surface properties relevant for selective bubble attachment. Yet, no study jointly investigated these possible causes and many are limited to single mineral flotation. We relate grinding conditions to changes in pulp chemistry and particle surface properties and assess their impact on upgrading. We studied three non-sulfide ores with different feed grades and valuables: scheelite, apatite, and fluorite. These were dry-, wet-, and wet conditionedground before flotation in a laboratory mechanical cell. Results were evaluated with bulk-and particle-specific methodologies. The selectivity of the process is higher after dry grinding for the fluorite and apatite ores and irrelevant for the scheelite ore. Variations in flotation kinetics of individual particles associated to their size and shape are not sufficient to explain these results. The higher concentration of Ca2+and Mg2+observed in the pulp after wet grinding, altering particle surface properties, better explains the phenomenon. Additionally, we demonstrate how particle shape impacts are system specific and related to both entrainment and true flotation.

四川某锂辉石废石重介分选

这是一篇矿物加工工程领域的文章。研究对象为四川某锂辉石废石,根据该锂辉石废石的矿物特性,对该锂辉石废石三种不同入料粒度(-15+0.5 mm、-10+0.5 mm、-5+0.5 mm)分别进行实验室重液分选实验,实验结果表明,该锂辉石废石采用重液分选效果较好,且以-10+0.5 mm作为后续重介实验的入料粒度范围,并选择2.70 g/cm^(3)作为分选密度时,重液分选指标相对较好,但根据实际生产重介分选实验结果,最终在入选粒度为-15+0.5 mm,介质密度为2.0 g/cm^(3)时,分选指标相对较好。

矿物浮选交互影响研究进展

复杂矿石中矿物间产生交互影响的原因主要是有用矿物嵌布粒度太细以及共伴生矿物种类多,从而必须对矿石进行细磨以实现矿物间的单体解离,导致在磨矿产品中产生粒度和组成各异的颗粒,在浮选矿浆体系中会由于物理化学因素发生交互影响作用而影响矿物间的浮选分离。基于此,本文提出了矿物浮选交互影响的定义,即矿石浮选体系中两种及以上矿物间相互吸附、活化、抑制、表面转化等对浮选分离产生的影响,在此基础上介绍了矿物交互影响的形式,即直接交互影响和间接交互影响,详细综述了粗粒与细粒矿物之间交互对浮选的影响、细粒矿物之间交互对浮选的影响、以及间接交互对矿物浮选的影响以及发生交互影响的作用机理研究现状,目的是为找到利用或消除矿物间交互影响的调控方法奠定基础。