XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 3151
significantly impacted the recovery and quality of chalcopy-
rite. Conventional chalcopyrite flotation uses xanthate col-
lectors to enhance its inherent hydrophobicity, facilitating
selective separation. Therefore, achieving optimal collector
adsorption on the mineral surface is crucial for success-
ful chalcopyrite flotation. Figures 4a and 4b illustrate the
degree of collector adsorption on the chalcopyrite surface
in the presence of the two pyrrhotite superstructures under
varying pulp chemistry conditions. As expected, there was
a correlation between flotation performance and the quan-
tity of collector adsorbed onto the chalcopyrite surface. The
results indicated that the highest collector adsorption onto
the chalcopyrite surface occurred at pH 9.5 and a redox
potential of –165 mV. Moreover, the presence of pyrrho-
tite superstructures induced fluctuations in the quantity
of collector adsorbed, with monoclinic structures proving
more detrimental to collector adsorption.
The correlation between flotation performance and the
quantity of collector adsorbed onto the chalcopyrite sur-
face emphasizes the sensitivity of the process to changes in
pulp chemistry. Specifically, the highest collector adsorp-
tion occurred at pH 9.5 and a redox potential of –165 mV,
indicating the significance of maintaining these conditions
for optimal flotation efficiency. Moreover, the observed
fluctuations in absorbed collector quantity induced by the
presence of pyrrhotite superstructures, provide additional
insights. Monoclinic structures were identified as more det-
rimental to collector adsorption, aligning with their adverse
impact on chalcopyrite flotation performance. The varia-
tion in the chalcopyrite flotation performance and collector
Figure 3. Flotation performance of chalcopyrite with and without pyrrhotite superstructures at varying pulp chemistry
variables (pH (a) and redox potential (b))
Figure 4. Collector adsorption on chalcopyrite surface at different pH levels (a) and redox potentials (b)
significantly impacted the recovery and quality of chalcopy-
rite. Conventional chalcopyrite flotation uses xanthate col-
lectors to enhance its inherent hydrophobicity, facilitating
selective separation. Therefore, achieving optimal collector
adsorption on the mineral surface is crucial for success-
ful chalcopyrite flotation. Figures 4a and 4b illustrate the
degree of collector adsorption on the chalcopyrite surface
in the presence of the two pyrrhotite superstructures under
varying pulp chemistry conditions. As expected, there was
a correlation between flotation performance and the quan-
tity of collector adsorbed onto the chalcopyrite surface. The
results indicated that the highest collector adsorption onto
the chalcopyrite surface occurred at pH 9.5 and a redox
potential of –165 mV. Moreover, the presence of pyrrho-
tite superstructures induced fluctuations in the quantity
of collector adsorbed, with monoclinic structures proving
more detrimental to collector adsorption.
The correlation between flotation performance and the
quantity of collector adsorbed onto the chalcopyrite sur-
face emphasizes the sensitivity of the process to changes in
pulp chemistry. Specifically, the highest collector adsorp-
tion occurred at pH 9.5 and a redox potential of –165 mV,
indicating the significance of maintaining these conditions
for optimal flotation efficiency. Moreover, the observed
fluctuations in absorbed collector quantity induced by the
presence of pyrrhotite superstructures, provide additional
insights. Monoclinic structures were identified as more det-
rimental to collector adsorption, aligning with their adverse
impact on chalcopyrite flotation performance. The varia-
tion in the chalcopyrite flotation performance and collector
Figure 3. Flotation performance of chalcopyrite with and without pyrrhotite superstructures at varying pulp chemistry
variables (pH (a) and redox potential (b))
Figure 4. Collector adsorption on chalcopyrite surface at different pH levels (a) and redox potentials (b)