Mekhanobr-Orgsintez-Reagent Ltd (Russia):

Ryaboy V. I., Doctor of Engineering Sciences, General Director, frim@isc1.nw.ru

Mining Institute of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Russia):
Shepeta E. D., Ph. D. in Engineering Sciences, Senior Researcher

Dialkyldithiophosphates surface activity and hydrophobic properties effects upon copper arsenic-containing ores flotation were studied with a view to increase metallurgical results. Reagents’ surface activity on liquid-gas interface was determined by stalagmometric method and hydrophobic property — by a specially developed method, based on reagents’ ability to form low-solubility salts with zinc. It is shown, that in dialkyldithiophosphates sequence, with increase in surface activity and small difference in hydrophobic property, selectivity in copper and arsenic-containing minerals separation increases. With hydrophobic property increase, as could be expected, recovery of metals is increased. In separation of copper minerals from arsenopyrite, reagents with high selectivity, but low hydrophobic property do not permit to achieve required copper recovery even at high consumptions. This is explained in the first place by notable increase of circulating loads in feed of re-cleaning circuits. On the basis of surface activity and hydrophobic property regulation, specimen 2255 was obtained, a copper and precious metals collector of a higher effectiveness, if compared with dialkyldithiophosphate reagent IMA-I413p, conventionally used in the industry.

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