Title

FLOTATION OF PYRRHOTITE FROM MAGNETITE ORES – A KAZAKH CASE STUDY

FLOTATION OF PYRRHOTITE FROM MAGNETITE ORES – A KAZAKH CASE STUDY

Authorship

Araujo, Armando Correa de; Reisinger., Matthias

Araujo, Armando Correa de

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Reisinger., Matthias

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DOI

10.5151/2594-357X-22339

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Abstract

The presence of relatively moderate quantities of ferromagnetic pyrrhotite in magnetite ores considerably restricts their amenability to conventional magnetite processing techniques employing multiple stages of wet grinding and low intensity magnetic separation. Bench flotation experiments on a skarn-type magnetite ore from Kazakhstan containing 2.0 to 3.5 percent sulphur were performed to systematically investigate the flotation behaviour of sulphides in general and pyrrhotite in particular. Specific emphasis was drawn on establishing the optimum grind size for sulphide liberation and the influence of sodium sulphide, copper sulphate, with and without collector, on flotation performance. Upon successful determination of the appropriate conditions for pyrrhotite removal, a processing flowsheet was developed and validated by pilot scale testing. The results obtained in the latter surpassed the values achieved at the laboratory scale and resulted in a high-grade final concentrate assaying 70 percent Fe and 0.15 percent sulphur, respectively.

The presence of relatively moderate quantities of ferromagnetic pyrrhotite in magnetite ores considerably restricts their amenability to conventional magnetite processing techniques employing multiple stages of wet grinding and low intensity magnetic separation. Bench flotation experiments on a skarn-type magnetite ore from Kazakhstan containing 2.0 to 3.5 percent sulphur were performed to systematically investigate the flotation behaviour of sulphides in general and pyrrhotite in particular. Specific emphasis was drawn on establishing the optimum grind size for sulphide liberation and the influence of sodium sulphide, copper sulphate, with and without collector, on flotation performance. Upon successful determination of the appropriate conditions for pyrrhotite removal, a processing flowsheet was developed and validated by pilot scale testing. The results obtained in the latter surpassed the values achieved at the laboratory scale and resulted in a high-grade final concentrate assaying 70 percent Fe and 0.15 percent sulphur, respectively.

Keywords

Iron ore; Magnetite; Flotation; Sulphides; Pyrrhotite.

Iron ore; Magnetite; Flotation; Sulphides; Pyrrhotite.