SELECTIVE SEPARATION OF ARSENOPYRITE FROM AN AURIFEROUS PYRITE CONCENTRATE BY SULFONATE FLOTATION

Arsenopyrite has been selectively floated from pyrite by an unconventi onal anionic collector (sodium dodecylsulphonate), at the pH range of about 4. The floatability experiments were conducted mainly in a Halli mond cell with an industrial auriferous bulk pyrite-arsenopyrite conce ntrate. The addition of permanganate, a common oxidizing agent, enhanc ed the selectivity of the process; the system was also studied by elec trokinetic measurements. The separation was further enhanced by the us e of methyl isobutylketone as a frother. A synergism of ionic and non- ionic surfactant was apparent, causing meanwhile a decrease in reagent s consumption.