650 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
Barrera &Cerna (2009) and Parraguez et al. (2009)
agreed with the conclusion that pyrite activation can
become an issue and can have negative impact on the
final concentrate copper grade when seawater is used due
to dissolution of small amounts of copper which in turn
activates pyrite.
The observation during the FLOT-ART process devel-
opment to depress pyrite at natural pH was also observed
by Bulut et al. (2011). According to Bulut et al. (2011), this
pronounced depressing effect at natural pH was observed
with both pure pyrite and pyritic copper ore containing
approximately 50% pyrite. This is an important observation
Source: Castro, 2012
Figure 1. Lime consumption in rougher flotation as a function of pH adjusted by lime for a
copper ore floated in fresh water and sea water
Source: Castro, 2012
Figure 2. Effect of addition of lime on concentration of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions in sea water
Barrera &Cerna (2009) and Parraguez et al. (2009)
agreed with the conclusion that pyrite activation can
become an issue and can have negative impact on the
final concentrate copper grade when seawater is used due
to dissolution of small amounts of copper which in turn
activates pyrite.
The observation during the FLOT-ART process devel-
opment to depress pyrite at natural pH was also observed
by Bulut et al. (2011). According to Bulut et al. (2011), this
pronounced depressing effect at natural pH was observed
with both pure pyrite and pyritic copper ore containing
approximately 50% pyrite. This is an important observation
Source: Castro, 2012
Figure 1. Lime consumption in rougher flotation as a function of pH adjusted by lime for a
copper ore floated in fresh water and sea water
Source: Castro, 2012
Figure 2. Effect of addition of lime on concentration of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions in sea water