Correlations of impurity composition, electrophysical, electrochemical, and flotation properties of Au-bearing pyrite

A collection of Au-bearing pyrite and arsenopyrite from several ore deposit s has been studied. Minerals from that collection vary in their phase and c hemical compositions, and semiconductive and electrochemical properties. Th e correlations between the state of the surface; isomorphic impurities; ele ctrochemical, semiconductive characteristics; and flotation properties were estimated. It was shown that the type of conduction affects the style of v ariation of the mineral electrolytic potential with pH. A stable correlatio n was established between thermal electromotive force and floatability, on the one hand, and As, Au, and Ni isomorphic impurities, on the other. The r ecovery of pyrite is correlated with the coefficient of thermal electromoti ve force in the pH ranges of 6-7 and 10-12. The above correlations provide a tentative forecasting of selection conditions for pyrite and arsenopyrite by a flotation of hard-to-beneficate ore of gold-arsenopyrite geological a nd technological type.