PYRITE FLOTATION IN THE PRESENCE OF METAL-IONS AND SPHALERITE

The effect of Cu2+, Fe2+ and Ca2+ ions on pyrite floatability with xan thate as a function of pH in the presence and absence of sphalerite wa s studied. in the alkaline pH region, these ions activated the pyrite when alone but not when sphalerite was present. Zeta-potential measure ments and infrared surface characterization confirmed the different in teraction with xanthate depending whether the pyrite was alone or with sphalerite. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.