Copper Sulphide Ore Flotation Process

The common copper sulfide minerals mainly include chalcocite, covellite, bornite, copper pyrites and tennantite, and their inherent floatability decrease in turn. Copper sulfide ore has better floatability than sphalerite, pyrite and another sulphide, so it is more likely to float from the pulp by adsorpting collecting agent. Therefore, flotation process is the main beneficiation method for copper sulfide ore.

The common collecting agent used for copper sulfide ore flotation process is xanthate collectors, followed by aerofloat and its esters. Actually, The collecting effect is much better if aerofloat esters mix with other agents. The xanthate collectors used in copper sulphide ore flotation process are sodium ethylxanthate, SIPX and Sodium n-butylxanthate, etc. The common aerofloat includes cresol aerofloat, ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate, aerofloat 208, aerofloat 238, aerofloat 242, etc.

Many research shows that the mixed-use multi-collectors have a better flotation effect, this is because several agents and minerals interact with each other, then produce "synergistic effect". The foaming agent of copper sulfide ore mainly includes terpenic oil and methyl isobutyl methyl alcohol. The pH regulator is mainly lime. When the content of pyrite is small, the PH of the slurry is controlled by 7~9. When the content of pyrite is large, the PH of the slurry is controlled above 11~12. When silt content is large in the ore, a proper amount of water glass or CMC is needed to improve flotation effect.

The copper concentrate grade that obtained by flotation process in China is over 20%, the recovery rate is about 88%; the foreign copper concentrate grade is about 25~40%, the recovery rate is 80~90%. Generally, the flotation process of copper sulfide ore is relatively simple. Coarse-grained copper sulfide ore can use a stage grinding - a stage floatation process, and the fine-grained copper sulfide ore can adopt two stage grinding- two stage flotation process. What's more, middling regrinding technology can reduce grinding energy consumption, which is widely used in ore dressing production.

Xinhai is a professional mineral processing equipment manufacturer, who can provide high-quality crushing equipment, grinding equipment and flotation equipment to copper sulfide ore flotation and greatly improve the flotation indexes! If you are interested in our equipment, please contact us immediately.