IMPROVEMENT OF RECOVERIES FROM COPPER BEARING AND COPPER-ACTIVATED MINERAL ORES USING FLEX-31

Many copper-bearing ores use Sodium Isopropyl Xanthate (SIPX) as a flo tation agent. In general, SIPX will float to some extent other mineral s which may not be desirable, such as pyrite. FLEX 31 is a chemically enhanced SIPX product with many of the same properties as SIPX, but FL EX 31 has the ability to reject more pyrite from concentrates as well as improves recoveries of copper when using 50% less FLEX 31 than is r equired if using SIPX. Copper-activated minerals, such as sphalerite a nd arsenopyrite, show increased recoveries as well using FLEX 31. Howe ver, in copper separation from these minerals prior to activation, FLE X 31 performs very similarly to SIPX and does not give the best separa tion possible with other reagents. Tests have been performed on copper /zinc, arsenopyrite and copper/molybdenum ores.