The effect of degree of liberation on copper recovery from copper-pyrite ore by flotation

Abstract

ABSTRACT Flotation of grinding products with 55, 60, 65, 70, and 75% of grain size <74 μm, was conducted at the pulp’s pH values of 10 and 12. Higher copper recovery was obtained in concentrates at pH 10, but with lower copper grades, approximately 2%. Copper recovery in concentrates at pH 12 was slightly less, but copper grades were much higher. The effect of grinding was higher at pH 12, especially in terms of copper grades in concentrates, which declined with the increase of grinding time. Ore microscopy tests were done on the concentrates with 55 and 75% of grain size <74 μm at pH 10 and 12. All particles of copper minerals were divided by grain size fractions and by the degree of liberation. Analysis have shown that degree of liberation was higher in finer grinding products.