Mining Institute of the Kola Science Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity, Russia:

E. V. Chernousenko, Researcher
G. V. Mitrofanova, Lead Researcher, e-mail: atletik-2010@yandex.ru
Yu. S. Kameneva, Junior Researcher
I. N. Vishnyakova, Junior Researcher

The paper studies the possibility of using complexing agents from classes of alkylhydroxamic acids and carboxylic acid hydrazides as collecting agents for the flotation of copper-nickel ores instead of conventional sulfhydryl collectors — butyl xanthate and aerofloat. The studies were carried out with two samples of copper-nickel ores — run-of-mine ore containing 0.71% Ni, 0.31% Cu, and finely disseminated complex ore characterized by 0.495% Ni and 0.211% Cu. It is shown that alkylhydroxamic acids introduced into a collecting mixture instead of aerofloat ensure values, close to conventional ones, with regard to the content and recovery of copper and nickel into a rough concentrate. Following the conventional method, the finished copper-nickel concentrate with 7–8% Ni was produced from run-of-mine ore. To produce finished concentrate from complex ore, it is required to carry out an additional recleaning operation. Carboxylic acid hydrazides added instead of aerofloat into the collecting mixture are more active with respect to copper minerals. This does not prevent from producing the copper-nickel concentrate of the required quality from run-of-mine ore in the mode similar to a conventional one. Regarding complex ore, when adding hydrazide into the collecting mixture, the agent consumption increases. In general, agents from classes of alkylhydroxamic acids and carboxylic acid hydrazides in the flotation of both types of ores provide process parameters close to parameters of the flotation with aerofloat. Natural foam-forming properties of the agents under study ensure flotation without additional foaming agents.

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