EFFECTS OF GALVANIC INTERACTION ON COLLECTORLESS FLOTATION BEHAVIOR OF CHALCOPYRITE AND PYRITE

The effect of galvanic interactions between chalcopyrite and pyrite on their collectorless flotation behaviour have been studied. Cyclic vol tammetry and microflotation tests were carried out to identify the rea ction products and flotation behaviour of sulphide minerals after diff erent types of galvanic interactions. It was found that galvanic inter actions between a noble mineral (pyrite) and an active mineral (chalco pyrite) significantly affected the floatability of both minerals. The results of flotation tests carried out with different mineral-mineral combinations showed that depression of chalcopyrite and activation of pyrite depends to a great extent on their magnitude in the mixture. Th e dissolution behaviour of both minerals in an aqueous solution was al so studied and probable electrochemical reaction mechanisms relating t o activation of pyrite by copper ions were discussed. (C) 1997 Elsevie r Science B.V.