RIVS Group, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

L. A. Gerasimenko, Production Engineer at Technological Research Department, L_Gerasimenko@rivs.ru
G. V. Logovskaya, Mineralogist

This article describes the laboratory-scale studie s aimed at development of a rational technology for processing low-grade copper–porphyry ore. The main difficulties in beneficiation of such raw material are governed by the similar flotation properties of pyrite and chalcopyrite, while much slimes present in flotation pulp aggravate selective flotation. Based on the implemented research, it is found that enhancement of flotation efficiency dictates using selective collectors relative to pyrite, and performing flotation in thinner pulps to reduce the harmful effect of slimes on the performance goals. The depressing influence of lime on iron minerals is investigated. The studies show that the introduced modifications in the operating practice of flotation enable the highest production data. The Tianjin WT Chemical’s collector C5-5 was added as a collecting agent. Cyquest 4000 was used to depress rock-forming minerals. The analysis of the results revealed that the best production data, namely, the copper content of 19.60 % in the concentrate at the copper recovery of 65.10 %, were achieved at the solid content of 22 % in the feed and at the collector consumption of 50 g/t in the main cycle.

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