Electrokinetic Behaviour of Sulphide Minerals

Abstract

Sulphide minerals occur usually as mixed or complex minerals; studying their electrokinetic behaviour, under various conditions, interesting conclusions from the fundamental point of view arose for the separation technology, conventionally being carried out by (froth) flotation. The extent of oxidation of sulphide minerals can be easily investigated by electrokinetic studies and such properties are also of significance to the chemistry of flotation. The electrokinetic measurements may provide useful indications on mineral processing, which are usually followed by floatability experiments. A brief literature review is presented in this paper, coupled by a discussion of the extensive Laboratory’s work, mainly on iron sulphides electrokinetic behaviour.