Pentlandite-pyroxene and pentlandite-feldspar interactions and their effect on separation by flotation

The present study has focused on exploring the extent to which metal ion activation occurs and influences flotation and how this can be managed so as to increase the separation of pentlandite from pyroxene and feldspar. The aim was to minimise the percentage pyroxene and feldspar reporting to the concentrate and simultaneously maximise the pentlandite recovery. The possible chemical reactions taking place on surfaces of synthetic pentlandite, natural pyroxene and feldspar were investigated at pH 4, 6 and 9 in di-sodium tetra borate solution and in synthetic process water in the case of zeta potential determinations, microflotation and ToF-SIMS (time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry) analyses and in synthetic process water in the case of batch flotation tests.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Chemical Engineering

Year dc:date.issued

2003

Author dc:creator

• Malysiak, Vratislav

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• O'Connor, Cyril

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/5291

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/5291