Application of composite reagent for flotation of target minerals in bulk copper–molybdenum concentrate

A composite reagent CR represented by delicately emulsified solution of kerosene with S–P-bearing components is studied as a new selective collector for flotation of Cu and Mo in bulk concentrate. The electron-donating atoms of sulfur and phosphorus in the structure of the reagent govern its predisposition to complexing and selective adsorption, while the alkyl radicals ensure high collectability relative to Cu and Mo sulfides. Using the methods of UV spectrophotomery (SHIMADSU 1800), laser spectroscopy (KEYENCE VK-9700) and scanning electron microscopy (LEO 1420VP INCA OXFORD ENERGY 350), adsorption of CR at chalcopyrite ad molybdenite is identified. The adsorption layer formed on these sulfide minerals is very specific, with uniform distribution of needle-shaped crystals of the reagent over chalcopyrite and molybdenite surface. A critical advantage of the composite reagent over conventional collectors is its indifference to pyrite, which is beneficial for the quality of the bulk copper–molybdenum concentrate. The application of the composite reagent in the bulk flotation cycle increases molybdenum and copper recovery in concentrate by 2.75 and 13.61%, respectively, at the reduced loss of the valuable components in tailings.

Matveeva T. N., Chanturiya V. A., Getman V. V., A.Yu. Karkeshkina, Gromova N. K. Application of composite reagent for flotation of target minerals in bulk copper– molybdenum concentrate. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2021;(11):80-94. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2021_11_0_80.

The study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, Project No. 13.1902.21.0018, Agreement No. 075-15-2020-802.

T.N. Matveeva¹, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Deputy Director for Scientific Work, Head of Department, e-mail: tmatveyeva@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5658-9948,
V.A. Chanturiya¹, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Professor, Аcademician of Russian Academy of Sciences, Scientific Director of Department, e-mail: vchan@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-4410-8182,
V.V. Getman¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Senior Researcher, e-mail: viktoriki.v@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4322-5739,
A.Yu. Karkeshkina¹, Researcher, e-mail: ankatrin06@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5319-5871,
N.K. Gromova¹, Researcher, e-mail: gromova_nk@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4753-5745,
¹ Institute of Problems of Comprehensive Exploitation of Mineral Resources of Russian Academy of Sciences, 111020, Moscow, Russia.

N.K. Gromova, e-mail: viktoriki.v@gmail.com.

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