Patent ID: 9387490
Filing Date: 2016-07-12
CPC Classification: B03D

Claim Text:
1. A method for improving the selectivity and recovery of at least one or more valuable non-ferrous sulphide minerals associated with iron sulphides in a froth flotation process on non-ferrous metal sulphides, while reducing the use of environmentally problematic chemicals such as polyamines, by using the synergy of multiple depressants, the method comprising: i) Treating a sulphide ore, either freshly ground slurry or a pre-treated and finely ground process intermediate, which contains at least one or more valuable non-ferrous sulphide minerals with iron sulphides in an aqueous alkaline slurry in the presence of a collector, a frother, a pH modifier, a carrier gas distributed through the slurry, and multiple depressants selected to include at least one organic polymer, at least one sulphur-containing compound, and at least one nitrogen-containing organic compound; and ii) Carrying out froth flotation to depress the iron sulphides, while allowing the flotation of the at least one or more valuable non-ferrous sulfide minerals.