Institute of Problems of Integrated Development of Mineral Resources of Academician N.V. Melnikov of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow, Russia)

S. I. Gerasimenko, Postagraduate Student, gerasimenkosergei777@gmail.com
Т. N. Мatveeva, Head of the Department of Problems of Complex Extraction of Mineral Components from Natural and Man-Made Raw Materials, Doctor of Technical Sciences, tmatveyeva@mail.ru
А. Yu. Karkeshkina, Senior Researcher, Candidate of Technical Sciences, ankatrin06@mail.ru

The elevated content of rock minerals in sulfide ore flotation concentrates results in significant economic losses and increased environmental impact. Conventional depressants (e.g., sodium silicate) have considerable drawbacks, including toxicity, low selectivity, and technological complexity of application. This study investigates the feasibility of using lignosulfonate (LS), an inexpensive by-product of the pulp and paper industry, as a selective silicate depressant in the flotation of copper-molybdenum ore. Experiments have been carried out on an ore sample containing 1.90–1.95 wt.% copper by varying the pH (natural pH 6.5–7.0 and alkaline pH 10.0) and the dosage of collectors (potassium butyl xanthate and kerosene). The results have shown that the depressing effect of LS has been observed only under neutral conditions. The addition of LS during the grinding stage has reduced the silica content in the concentrate from 11.3 to 9.0 wt.% and decreased silica recovery by 1.78 percentage points. When the collector dosage has been reduced by half, the use of LS has increased copper recovery by 2.3 percentage points and the copper grade in the concentrate by 2.1 percentage points compared with the control tests. Under alkaline conditions (pH 10), the depressing effect has disappeared. In addition, LS positively has affected froth rheology: the froth has become visually more mineralized and structurally stable, thereby reducing the mechanical entrainment of hydrophilic particles. It has been concluded that the addition of LS during grinding under neutral conditions effectively suppresses the flotation of silicate minerals (quartz and feldspars), reduces collector consumption, and improves the quality of the copper concentrate, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional depressants.

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