Influence of dextrin on beneficiation of components from copper flotation concentrate

Abstract

Depressants are one of the most important reagents in flotation process. They are used to improve upgrading selectivity. Natural depressants, especially starch and its derivatives, are one of the most significant polysaccharides used in polymetallic sulphide ores flotation. In the paper influence of dextrin on flotation of copper, organic carbon and mineral components from rougher concentrate was investigated. It has been shown, that dextrin is a good depressant for organic carbon and clay minerals with micas as long as the appropriate collector for sulphides are added. Moreover, significantly better flotation of all copper sulphides and pyrite with marcasite was observed, in comparison with flotation test using collector and frother only. Using dextrin as a single reagent does not affect beneficiation of examined concentrate. However, dextrin had not depressed galena particles. It can suggest that various factors can influence on good flotation of galena, e.g. associations with other sulphides, mineral composition and structure of examined feed.