Patent ID: 6170669
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: B03B,B03D,C22B

Abstract:
A flotation process for the separation of iron-bearing sulphides containing ores including the steps of:(a) conditioning under a reducing atmosphere an aqueous pulp of ores of metal-containing iron sulphide mineral having a particle size of less than 20 microns, said pulp having a pH of between about 7 and about 10 with an oxy-sulphur compound for a predetermined period, said oxy-sulphur compound dissociating to form oxy-sulphur ions having the general formula:S.sub.n O.sub.y.sup.z-when n is greater than 1; y is greater than 2; and z is the valance of the ion,(b) adding a collector to said conditioned aqueous pulp,(c) raising the pulp potential of the pulp to a level sufficient for the collector to adsorb onto the sulphide ore,(d) bubbling gas through said aqueous pulp and thereby subjecting the aqueous pulp to froth flotation to produce a froth containing said ores of iron sulphide mineral, and(e) recovering said froth to obtain a concentrate of sulphide containing ores.