Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Benefication, JSC (Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan):

Tusupbayev N. K., Chief Researcher, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, nesipbay@mail.ru
Kaldybayeva Zh. A., Junior Researcher, Arsenti_73@mail.ru
Semushkina L. V., Leading Researcher, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, syomushkina.lara@mail.ru
Narbekova S. M., Researcher, s.narbekova@mail.ru

Drawing into processing refractory ores characterized by a complex material composition, low content of valuable components and fine impregnation demands development of new flotation technologies, and, above all, improvement of reagent regimes. The studies on the possibility of using the composite reagents in the flotation beneficiation of copper ore were conducted. A technological sample of the Zhezkazgan deposit (Kazakhstan) ore was used for the research. The material composition of the feed ore was determined: copper — 0.69 %, lead — 0.06 %, zinc — 0.032 %, iron — 2.81 %, gold — 0.21 g/t; silver — 27.0 g/t, total sulfur — 0.64 %; sulfide sulfur — 0.1 %; calcium — 2.72 %; silica — 62.1 % and aluminium oxide — 5.9 %. The phase analysis of the ore showed the presence of 67.8 % of secondary copper sulfides, 92.8 % of oxygen-containing compounds of iron. According to the results of dispersion analysis, valuable component of copper is distributed equally in size fractions 0–74 microns. A flotation processing flow-sheet was proposed, including ore grinding, rougher, scavenger flotation and three recleaning of bulk copper concentrate. The optimal conditions, as ore grinding degree, consumption of basic and composite chemicals were determined. Composite reagents are a mixture of xanthate, aerofloat and thionic carbamate in certain proportions. It is shown that composite reagents application as collectors, in comparison with the basic reagents, permits to improve copper concentrate grade and increase copper recovery into the copper concentrate: copper content in the froth product increases by 2.27–4.99 %, recovery — by 3.7–9.14 %, depending on the applied composite reagent. With that, consumption of composite reagents in comparison with the basic mode is reduced by 8.3–33.3 %, respectively.

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