THE EFFECT OF DIALKYLDITHIOPHOSPHATE REAGENTS ON COPPER FLOTATION FROM PYRITIC SLAGS

Abstract

The paper studies the patterns of copper slag mineral phase separation by flotation depending on the modification of the additional BTF series collecting agent (dialkyldithiophosphate derivatives) and the ratio of main and additional collecting agent consumptions. The results of open and locked-cycle laboratory flotation tests are presented, and the effect of pulp pH on copper extraction is observed. The reasons for the copper extraction gain during grinding and subsequent flotation in acidic medium are analyzed. The aggregates of copper and iron sulfides are identified in slags thus proving decoppering effectiveness with a decrease in pH to slightly acidic values due to the active flotation of intergrown pieces of copper-containing phases with iron sulfide (pyrite, pyrrhotine). It is shown that the additional BTF series collecting agent added to the main collecting agent – potassium butyl xanthate – makes it possible to reduce the total consumption of the combined collecting agents while maintaining copper extraction and concentrate quality as compared to the consumption of only xanthate necessary to achieve the same parameters. The best results were achieved with the use of the BTF 1614 reagent in combination with potassium butyl xanthate at the BCC : BTF = 3 : 1 ratio. At an optimum pH = 5,5÷6,8, the increase in copper extraction to the concentrate was 11.13%, and gold and silver extraction increased by 9.68% and 9.93%, respectively.