2220 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
form of tellurides that are less than 10 microns in size. The
micrograph below in Figure 9 shows images taken of the
telluride inclusions in pyrite grains.
Given that Te is often found alongside Au and Ag
minerals, there exists potential for the development of eco-
nomically feasible processes to enhance the recoveries of
Te, Au, and Ag from these resources concurrently. Through
the utilization of novel reagents, adjustments to the pro-
cess flowsheet, and optimization of technological param-
eters, there is a prospect of recovering Te from the tailings.
Reprocessing these tailings presents an opportunity to ful-
fill Te demand and is in line with the overarching objec-
tive of transitioning the mining industry toward a circular
economy model.
To liberate tellurides sitting in the pyrite matrix as
solid solutions, grinding is employed as the common pre-
treatment method in readiness for telluride processing,
producing optimal particle size distribution for the sub-
sequent stage of flotation. The grinding process facilitates
the extraction of tellurium trapped in pyrite (Ngothai et
al.,). Yan, (1997) showed with micro-flotation test works
on high grade telluride ore that the tellurides float readily
with the addition of a frother (Teric 401- polyoxypropylene
glycol ether) only at pH 8.0 to 10.0. The flotation recovery
can be enhanced by further addition of 100g/t of copper
sulphate as an activator coupled with the use of Potassium
Amyl Xanthate (PAX) and Sodium Ethyl Xanthate.
Overall, efficient Te recovery mandates the creation of
environmentally sustainable, economically feasible, fully
integrated, and logistically streamlined recovery flowsheets.
This goal can only be realized by integrating the benefits of
diverse technologies.
CONCLUSION
Pyrite is typically identified as a gangue mineral in the
majority of sulfide ores, often being discarded during pro-
cessing as tailings. However, the beneficiation of pyrite
from tailings holds significance due to its economic value
and environmental implications. Characterization studies
on sulfide tailings have suggested that critical, and impor-
tant elements/minerals are predominantly hosted as micro-
inclusions in pyrite grains, which are depressed during the
flotation process of porphyry copper sulfides. Consequently,
proposing the recovery of pyrite from tailings emerges as a
strategy to enhance critical and precious minerals contents
while mitigating the risk of acid mine drainage.
Given the fine-grained nature of the tailings, flotation
methods emerge as potentially viable approaches for pyrite
recovery. This review delves into the chemistry of surfactants
employed for pyrite activation, aiming to comprehend their
interactions with pyrite surfaces and their subsequent influ-
ence on zeta potential and flotation behavior. Furthermore,
the review meticulously explores the intricate aspects of
pyrite flotation within sulfide tailings, particularly its asso-
ciation with critical and precious elements such as tellu-
rium, gold, and silver. The review aims to pave way for the
exploration of new flotation systems and activators, seeking
cost-effective and environmentally friendly pyrite separa-
tion methods to enrich critical and precious minerals.
Given the limited research on pyrite separation for
critical elements enrichment, future endeavors should focus
Figure 9. (A) A Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) image showing pyrite grains that host several
micro inclusions of Te minerals like petzite (Ptz), hessite (AgTe), goldfieldite (Glfd), bornite (Bn), and a
bismuth-lead grain. (B) High magnification SEM image of an inclusion that contain petzite, goldfieldite,
and hodrushite (Hdt) Source: (Corchado-Albelo et al., 2024)
form of tellurides that are less than 10 microns in size. The
micrograph below in Figure 9 shows images taken of the
telluride inclusions in pyrite grains.
Given that Te is often found alongside Au and Ag
minerals, there exists potential for the development of eco-
nomically feasible processes to enhance the recoveries of
Te, Au, and Ag from these resources concurrently. Through
the utilization of novel reagents, adjustments to the pro-
cess flowsheet, and optimization of technological param-
eters, there is a prospect of recovering Te from the tailings.
Reprocessing these tailings presents an opportunity to ful-
fill Te demand and is in line with the overarching objec-
tive of transitioning the mining industry toward a circular
economy model.
To liberate tellurides sitting in the pyrite matrix as
solid solutions, grinding is employed as the common pre-
treatment method in readiness for telluride processing,
producing optimal particle size distribution for the sub-
sequent stage of flotation. The grinding process facilitates
the extraction of tellurium trapped in pyrite (Ngothai et
al.,). Yan, (1997) showed with micro-flotation test works
on high grade telluride ore that the tellurides float readily
with the addition of a frother (Teric 401- polyoxypropylene
glycol ether) only at pH 8.0 to 10.0. The flotation recovery
can be enhanced by further addition of 100g/t of copper
sulphate as an activator coupled with the use of Potassium
Amyl Xanthate (PAX) and Sodium Ethyl Xanthate.
Overall, efficient Te recovery mandates the creation of
environmentally sustainable, economically feasible, fully
integrated, and logistically streamlined recovery flowsheets.
This goal can only be realized by integrating the benefits of
diverse technologies.
CONCLUSION
Pyrite is typically identified as a gangue mineral in the
majority of sulfide ores, often being discarded during pro-
cessing as tailings. However, the beneficiation of pyrite
from tailings holds significance due to its economic value
and environmental implications. Characterization studies
on sulfide tailings have suggested that critical, and impor-
tant elements/minerals are predominantly hosted as micro-
inclusions in pyrite grains, which are depressed during the
flotation process of porphyry copper sulfides. Consequently,
proposing the recovery of pyrite from tailings emerges as a
strategy to enhance critical and precious minerals contents
while mitigating the risk of acid mine drainage.
Given the fine-grained nature of the tailings, flotation
methods emerge as potentially viable approaches for pyrite
recovery. This review delves into the chemistry of surfactants
employed for pyrite activation, aiming to comprehend their
interactions with pyrite surfaces and their subsequent influ-
ence on zeta potential and flotation behavior. Furthermore,
the review meticulously explores the intricate aspects of
pyrite flotation within sulfide tailings, particularly its asso-
ciation with critical and precious elements such as tellu-
rium, gold, and silver. The review aims to pave way for the
exploration of new flotation systems and activators, seeking
cost-effective and environmentally friendly pyrite separa-
tion methods to enrich critical and precious minerals.
Given the limited research on pyrite separation for
critical elements enrichment, future endeavors should focus
Figure 9. (A) A Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) image showing pyrite grains that host several
micro inclusions of Te minerals like petzite (Ptz), hessite (AgTe), goldfieldite (Glfd), bornite (Bn), and a
bismuth-lead grain. (B) High magnification SEM image of an inclusion that contain petzite, goldfieldite,
and hodrushite (Hdt) Source: (Corchado-Albelo et al., 2024)