Abstract: Methods of enhancing recovery of value sulfide and/or precious metal-bearing minerals from an ore containing such minerals as well as Mg-silicate, slime forming minerals, and/or clay by adding a froth phase modifier agent to the ore, and subjecting the ore to a froth flotation process performed under acidic conditions, are provided herein.

Abstract: A flotation arrangement for treating mineral ore particles suspended in slurry includes a primary flotation line with a rougher part including at least two rougher primary flotation cells and a scavenger part including at least two scavenger primary flotation cells, and a secondary flotation line including at least two secondary flotation cells. A first secondary flotation cell is arranged to receive primary overflow from the at least one rougher primary flotation cell, and a further secondary flotation cell to receive primary overflow from the at least one further rougher primary flotation cell. The further secondary flotation cell is arranged in fluid communication with a previous secondary flotation cell, and underflow from the first secondary flotation cell is arranged to flow into the further secondary flotation cell, or arranged to be combined with secondary underflow of the further secondary flotation cell.

Abstract: A flotation arrangement for treating mineral ore particles suspended in slurry includes a primary flotation line with a rougher part and a scavenger part. Overflow of at least one rougher primary flotation cell is arranged to flow directly into a rougher cleaner cell. Underflow from a first rougher cleaner flotation cell is combined into overflow from a rougher primary flotation cell downstream from the rougher primary flotation cell from which the first rougher cleaner flotation cell receives primary overflow; or into combined overflows from rougher primary flotation cells downstream from the rougher primary flotation cell from which the first rougher cleaner flotation cell receives primary overflow; or into overflow from an additional rougher cleaner cell which receives primary overflow from at least one rougher primary flotation cell downstream from the rougher primary flotation cell from which the first rougher cleaner flotation cell receives primary overflow.

Abstract: A magnesium suppressant/flocculant for use in separating dolomite from calcium phosphate. The magnesium suppressant/flocculant may be applied at a mine site prior to subjecting ore fractions to phosphate flotation or at a chemical plant after grinding.

Abstract: Method for removing arsenic mineral from a lead concentrate by reverse flotation with an ozone pre-treatment. The method comprises the steps of: receiving a slurry of the lead concentrate that has previously undergone flotation processes, bubbling ozone into the slurry of the lead concentrate to remove reagents used in previous flotation processes, adding a sulfide salt to the slurry to depress lead mineral, adding an alkali to increase the pH of the slurry, adding a collector and then a frother to the slurry for a reverse flotation processing and floating the arsenic mineral out of the lead mineral to obtain a now-purified lead concentrate.

Abstract: Improved sparge compositions for reverse froth flotation separation and uses thereof, and improved methods of reverse froth flotation are described. Described are sparge compositions comprising collectors and beneficiating agents, the collectors comprising sulfonated fatty acids and/or salts thereof, and the beneficiating agents comprising a hydroxy fatty acid composition. The sparge compositions are suitably used in the reverse froth flotation to separate phosphate beneficiary from ores comprising phosphate and dolomite, calcite, silicate, and/or other gangues. The disclosed compositions and methods exhibit improved separation of phosphate from such ores.

Abstract: Compositions including blends of one or more acrylamide/allyl thiourea polymer as a first depressant, and one or more carboxyalkyl dithiocarbamate compound as a second depressant, and their use as depressants in the beneficiation of sulfide minerals from ores and/or concentrates are disclosed herein, along with methods for selectively separating value sulfide minerals from non-value sulfide minerals in a froth flotation process for the recovery of such value minerals.

Abstract: Methods for preparing agglomerated hemicellulose compositions are provided. Agglomerated hemicellulose compositions comprising agglomerates are also provided herein. Also disclosed are processes for enriching a desired mineral from an ore comprising the desired mineral, wherein the process comprises carrying out a flotation process in the presence of one or more collecting agents and a depressant composition comprising an agglomerated hemicellulose composition.

Abstract: In one example, a method includes providing a pulp composed of a combination of particulate materials including particles of a target material. The pulp is mixed with a collector composed of anisotropic particles having at least two separate spatial domains that have different physiochemical properties, and the mixture of pulp and collector is fed into an aqueous solution containing air bubbles.

Abstract: A process for recovery of gold from gold-containing raw materials includes obtaining gold-containing raw material having refractory gold-containing sulfidic minerals including a first type of refractory sulfidic mineral having high gold content and a second type of sulfidic mineral having low gold content; forming a mineral pulp including a first type of refractory sulfidic mineral particles having high gold content and second type of sulfidic mineral particles having low gold content by suspending ground gold-containing material in water and optionally further milling the material; conditioning the mineral pulp by addition of a surface modifying chemical to obtain a conditioned pulp; subjecting the conditioned pulp to a froth flotation process; recovering the non-floatable first type of refractory sulfidic mineral particles having high cold content as flotation tailings; pressure oxidizing (POX) the flotation tailings to obtain a discharge slurry comprising liberated gold; and recovering gold from the discha

Abstract: The present invention discloses a monazite and apatite paragenetic ore enrichment method. High-grade and high-recovery-rate monazite concentrate can be obtained by adopting the method through steps of ore grinding, floatation, magnetic separation and low-acid advanced leaching treatment and re-floatation. In this process, the applicable range of ore pulp temperature is wide, the process flow is short, the ore dressing conditions are mild, the energy consumption is small, the used diluted acid can be cyclically regenerated and used, the pollution is small, the environmental stress is small and the recovery rate of low-grade monazite and apatite paragenetic ores can be obviously improved.

Abstract: This invention relates to an integrated process for recovering value metals from sulphide ore which includes the steps of bulk sorting 16 and screening 24/28 crushed ore. The sorted/screened coarse ore stream is ground and classified 20 to provide a coarse fraction 34 suitable for coarse flotation and a first fine fraction 38 suitable for flotation. The coarse fraction suitable for coarse flotation is subjected to coarse flotation 36 thereby to obtain a gangue 42 and an intermediate concentrate 46. The intermediate concentrate is subjected to grinding 48 to provide a second fine fraction suitable for conventional flotation. The first fine fraction and the second fine fraction are subjected to conventional flotation 40 to provide a concentrate and tailings.

Abstract: A flotation method for mineral processing is disclosed. The method for floating includes a first step of using a first carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) in a first flotation cell, and a subsequent step includes using a second CMC in a subsequent flotation cell, the first and second CMCs having different characteristics. The first flotation cell may be used in at least one rougher stage and/or at least one rougher-scavenger stage of the flotation method, and the subsequent flotation cell may be used in at least one cleaner stage, and/or at least one cleaner scavenger stage, and/or at least one recleaner stage of the flotation method. A product may be obtained, directly or indirectly, by such a method. A mineral processing plant may use at least two CMCs of different characteristics in flotation for mineral processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enhanced starch resin composition, methods of making the enhanced starch resin composition using environmentally benign, water-based processes, and products produced using the enhanced starch resin composition. The enhanced starch resin composition comprises a native starch and/or a waxy starch crosslinked with a multi-functional polycarboxylic acid. The starch resin composition is formed by a water-based reaction comprising using a non-toxic, water-soluble catalyst to catalyze esterification of the native starch and/or the waxy starch with the multi-functional polycarboxylic acid, thereby yielding a crosslinked starch resin composition having at least one enhanced mechanical property and/or reduced moisture absorption as compared to the native starch and/or the waxy starch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a polyquaternary polymer obtainable by reacting i) a dialkylamine having the structure R1R2NH, where R1 and R2 independently are hydrocarbyl groups having 1-3 carbon atoms; ii) a difunctional compound selected from the group consisting of epihalohydrins, diepoxides, precursors of epihalohydrins and epoxides which under alkaline conditions are readily converted into the corresponding epoxy compounds, and mixtures thereof; and iii) optionally a polyfunctional amine selected from the group consisting of ammonia, primary amines, alkylenediamines having 2-6 carbon atoms, and polyalkylenepolyamines having the structure H2N—[R3—N(R4)]y—R3—NH2, where y is an integer from 1 to 5, R3 is an alkylene radical having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, and R4 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group having 1-3 carbon atoms, and an ?-aminoalkyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms; as a depressant in a method for froth flotation of potash ores.

Abstract: A method of using the synergy of multiple depressants to improve the depression of iron sulphide without compromising the recovery of the valuable sulphide minerals in the flotation of non-ferrous metal sulphides, while reducing or eliminating the use of environmentally problematic chemicals such as polyamines. The method has significant economic and environmental benefits. The multiple depressants comprise at least one organic polymer, at least one sulphur-containing compound and/or at least one nitrogen-containing organic compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for leaching copper oxide without using sulfuric acid, comprising the following steps consisting in: impregnating the copper oxide using a non-polluting organic leaching agent consisting of an aqueous solution formed by tricarboxylic acid (C6H807) combined with water in a mixture having an acidity varying between a pH of 1 and 5; obtaining copper citrate; and, optionally, again irrigating the copper oxide impregnated with the non-polluting organic leaching agent, thereby obtaining a more concentrated copper citrate.

Abstract: A combined sedimentation and pressure floatation wastewater treatment tank includes a tank body, a sedimentation treatment device and a pressure floatation treatment device. The tank body contains a predetermined amount of wastewater for treatment. The sedimentation treatment device is operated to remove relatively heavier sludge from the wastewater by sedimentation treatment, and the pressure floatation treatment device is operated to remove relatively lighter sludge from the initially treated wastewater by pressure floatation treatment. In operation, the wastewater is initially treated by the sedimentation treatment device and is further treated by the pressure floatation treatment device. Alternatively, the wastewater is initially treated by the pressure floatation treatment device and is further treated by the sedimentation treatment device.

Abstract: A process for concentrating manganese from the tailing of a manganese-carrying mineral including removing a coarse particle size fraction from the tailing, desliming and conducting an acidic or a basic reverse cationic flotation. The manganese-carrying minerals are typically minerals with low manganese content from the lithologies “Tabular Pelite” (or PETB), Pelite Siltite (or PEST), Detritic (or DETR), Rich Pelite (or PERC) and Metallurgical Bioxide (or BXME). In another aspect, the present invention also relates to a reverse cationic flotation used to concentrate manganese which is carried out using depressor agents and collector agents as flotation reagents.

Abstract: There is provided a method for separating an arsenic mineral from a copper-bearing material containing arsenic, such as a copper ore or a copper concentrate, to obtain a copper concentrate with low arsenic grade. The method for separating an arsenic mineral from a copper-bearing material by flotation includes adding a flotation agent containing a depressant, a frother, and a collector to a slurry composed of a copper-bearing material containing arsenic, and blowing air into the slurry to float a copper concentrate, wherein the depressant is sodium thiosulfate. The sodium thiosulfate is preferably added in an amount of 10 kg or more and 200 kg or less in terms of sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate per ton of copper-bearing material to be subjected to flotation. Further, the oxidation-reduction potential of the slurry to be subjected to flotation, as measured against a silver/silver chloride reference electrode, is preferably ?10 mV or more and 50 mV or less.

Abstract: A method of extracting targeted metallic minerals from ores that contain sulfide metallic minerals along with oxide minerals, carbonate minerals, silicate minerals, halide minerals or combinations thereof. In the method, an ore slurry containing the metallic mineral in oxide, carbonate, silicate or halide form is provided. The slurry is activated by adding sodium thiosulfate and sodium metabisulfite, whereby the targeted metallic mineral forms an intermediary metal complex with the sodium thiosulfate and sodium metabisulfite. One or more metal release components are introduced into the ore slurry; whereby the targeted metallic mineral is released from the intermediary metal complex to form a metal sponge. This metal sponge is then subjected to a flotation process, whereby the targeted metallic mineral is drawn out of the ore slurry and thereby extracted from the ore.

Abstract: A process of dewatering tailings is provided comprising mixing the tailings with a sufficient amount of an additive or a mixture thereof; depositing the resulting mixture into a disposal area; pumping water from the deposit to one or more sumps, and allowing the deposit to reach a sufficient strength; and removing remaining deposit water and rainfall through one or more of a network of ditches, a decant tower, or a plurality of dike drainage structures to yield a non-segregating deposit for reclamation.

Abstract: Amine-aldehyde resins are disclosed for removing a wide variety of solids and/or ionic species from the liquids in which they are suspended and/or dissolved. These resins are especially useful as froth flotation depressants, for example in the beneficiation of value materials (e.g., bitumen, coal, or kaolin clay) to remove impurities such as sand. The resins are also useful for treating aqueous liquid suspensions to remove solid particulates, as well as for removing metallic ions in the purification of water.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing recovery of value sulfide or precious minerals from an ore containing Mg-silicate, slime forming minerals, and/or clay by crushing the ore, grinding the ore, and subjecting the ground ore to a flotation process, in conjunction with the addition of at least one monovalent ion modifier enhancing agent and/or froth phase modifier agent to the ore, are provided herein.

Abstract: Materials in battery and electrochemical cells are separated in a form suitable for recycling by employing froth flotation techniques. Bulk materials, such as casings, are removed from converted battery scrap and the resultant pulp is subjected to froth flotation. Froth flotation agents, including frothers, collectors and/or depressants, are used to manipulate the hydrophilic and hydrophobic nature of the materials in the scrap. Hydrophobic materials are entrained in the air bubbles of the froth and float out of the froth flotation vessel while those that are hydrophilic remain in the vessel, thereby separating battery grid materials without resort to pyrometallurgical, energy intensive or other environmentally undesirable processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for enriching an iron mineral from a silicate-containing iron ore by reverse froth flotation of the ore using a collecting composition comprising: a) a compound of formula R1O-A-NH(CH2)nNH2 (I), wherein R1 is a straight or branched hydrocarbyl group with 12-15 carbon atoms, A is a group —CH2CHXCH2—, wherein X is hydrogen or a hydroxyl group, and n is a number 2-6; b) a compound of formula R2NH2 (II), where R2 is a hydrocarbyl group having 12-14 carbon atoms; c) a compound of formula R3NH2 (III), wherein R3 is a straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbyl group having 16-22 carbon atoms; and d) optionally a depressing agent for the iron mineral, wherein the amount of a) is at least 65% by weight, based on the total weight of a), b) and c), and at most 90% by weight, based on the total weight of a), b) and c), and wherein the weight ratio between c) and b) is 4:1 to 1:1.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for separating an arsenic mineral from a copper-bearing material, including the steps of grinding a copper-bearing material containing arsenic, adding water to the copper-bearing material to prepare a slurry, and adding a flotation agent including a depressant, a frother, and a collector to the slurry and blowing air into the slurry for performing flotation to obtain a copper concentrate, wherein the depressant is a chelator. As the chelator, a polyethyleneamine or the like is used. Particularly, when triethylenetetramine is used as the chelator, the amount of triethylenetetramine to be added is preferably 1 to 10 equivalents relative to the amount of soluble copper generated by oxidation of the copper-bearing material, and the pH of the slurry is more preferably adjusted to 7 or more but 8 or less before the slurry is subjected to the flotation.

Abstract: A process for improving mined coal includes comminuting the coal to a particle size at which individual macerals are available. Reactive macerals are extracted from the comminuted coal as froth from the top of a deep-column flotation cell. The extracted macerals are then de-watered.

Abstract: Embodiments related to recycling alkaline batteries are disclosed. In one disclosed embodiment, a method for recycling a battery having a basic electrolyte comprises rupturing the battery under anaerobic conditions and flooding the interior of the battery with carbon dioxide in an anaerobic chamber.

Abstract: Use of a Maillard reaction product as an adjuvant in a variety of applications including solid-liquid separations, corrosion inhibition, emulsification, dust suppression, slow release fertilization, viscosity modification and others and especially as a depressant or collector in separation processes, including the selective separation of solids and/or ionic species from aqueous media, such as in the process of froth flotation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of improving a flotation separation process. The method involves PAPEMP, a material previously thought to only be of use in controlling scale deposit on surfaces of equipment used in cyanide leaching. In the invention the PAPEMP is added to the flotation separation process for improved sulfide mineral separation. Not only does the addition of PAPEMP improve the overall recovery of sulfide complexed metals in flotation, but by doing so it also reduces the energy requirements and adds other efficiencies to other downstream ore processing and refining steps. This has the added benefit of helping to preserve the environment.

Abstract: Amine-aldehyde resins are disclosed for removing a wide variety of solids and/or ionic species from the liquids in which they are suspended and/or dissolved. These resins are especially useful as froth flotation depressants, for example in the beneficiation of value materials (e.g., bitumen, coal, or kaolin clay) to remove impurities such as sand. The resins are also useful for treating aqueous liquid suspensions to remove solid particulates, as well as for removing metallic ions in the purification of water.

Abstract: Modified resins are disclosed for removing a wide variety of solids and/or ionic species from the liquids in which they are suspended and/or dissolved. These modified resins are especially useful as froth flotation depressants in the beneficiation of many types of materials (e.g., mineral and metal ores), including the beneficiation of impure coal comprising clay impurities, as well as in the separation of valuable bitumen from solid contaminants such as sand. The modified resins are also useful for treating aqueous liquid suspensions to facilitate the removal of solid particulates, as well as the removal of metallic ions in the purification of water. The modified resins comprise a base resin that is modified with a coupling agent, which is highly selective for binding to solid contaminants and especially siliceous materials such as sand or clay.

Abstract: Materials in battery and electrochemical cells are separated in a form suitable for recycling by employing froth flotation techniques. Bulk materials, such as casings, are removed from converted battery scrap and the resultant pulp is subjected to froth flotation. Froth flotation agents, including frothers, collectors and/or depressants, are used to manipulate the hydrophilic and hydrophobic nature of the materials in the scrap. Hydrophobic materials are entrained in the air bubbles of the froth and float out of the froth flotation vessel while those that are hydrophilic remain in the vessel, thereby separating battery grid materials without resort to pyrometallurgical, energy intensive or other environmentally undesirable processes.

Abstract: Modified resins are disclosed for removing a wide variety of solids and/or ionic species from the liquids in which they are suspended and/or dissolved. These modified resins are especially useful as froth flotation depressants in the beneficiation of many types of materials (e.g., mineral and metal ores), including the beneficiation of impure coal comprising clay impurities, as well as in the separation of valuable bitumen from solid contaminants such as sand. The modified resins are also useful for treating aqueous liquid suspensions to facilitate the removal of solid particulates, as well as the removal of metallic ions in the purification of water. The modified resins comprise a base resin that is modified with a coupling agent, which is highly selective for binding to solid contaminants and especially siliceous materials such as sand or clay.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for separating materials are provided. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of separating a first material from a second material. For example, the method can comprise mixing the first material and the second material in a slurry with a beneficiation composition. The beneficiation composition can comprise one or more fatty acid by-products derived from a biodiesel manufacturing process. Air bubbles can be provided in the slurry to form bubble-particle aggregates with the first material and the bubble-particle aggregates can be allowed to be separated from the second material.

Abstract: Modified resins are disclosed for removing a wide variety of solids and/or ionic species from the liquids in which they are suspended and/or dissolved. These modified resins are especially useful as froth flotation depressants in the beneficiation of many types of materials (e.g., mineral and metal ores), including the beneficiation of impure coal comprising clay impurities, as well as in the separation of valuable bitumen from solid contaminants such as sand. The modified resins are also useful for treating aqueous liquid suspensions to remove solid particulates, as well as for removing metallic ions in the purification of water. The modified resins comprise a base resin that is modified with a coupling agent, which is highly selective for binding to solid contaminants and especially siliceous materials such as sand or clay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for concentration of silicate-containing minerals and ores by froth flotation, in particular to a reverse flotation process, in the presence of a finely dispersed collecting agent characterized by a specific droplet size distribution.

Abstract: A continuous flotation process and apparatus for iron-containing sulphides in ores and concentrates of ores are disclosed. The process includes adjusting the pH of an aqueous pulp of the ores or concentrates of the ores to be in the range of 6.5-8.5 and thereafter adding a reducing agent to modify an iron hydroxide film on the surface of iron-containing sulphides in the ores or ore concentrates to enable adsorption of a collector onto iron-containing sulphides. The process also includes adding the collector to the pulp prior to, during, or after adding the reducing agent. The process also includes aerating the pulp to increase the pulp potential to a level sufficient to allow collector adsorption onto the iron-containing sulphides and thereafter bubbling gas through the pulp and subjecting the aqueous pulp to froth flotation to produce a froth containing said sulphide containing minerals.

Abstract: A process for the flotation of non-sulfidic minerals or ores, is disclosed in which crushed crude minerals or ores are mixed with water and a collector to form a suspension, air is introduced into the suspension in the presence of a reagent system, and a floated foam containing the non-sulfidic mineral or ores is formed therein along with a flotation residue comprising the gangue polymeric esterquats as the collector polymeric esterquats. The polymeric esterquats are obtained by reacting alkanolamines with a mixture of monocarboxylic acids and dicarboxylic acids and quaternising the resulting esters, optionally after alkoxylation.

Abstract: The invention provides a flotation process which includes the steps of providing a flotation mixture containing mineral values to be recovered and adding an activator to the flotation mixture, which activator may comprise a metal complex formed by a coordinating metal ion and a ligand. A particular aspect of the invention relates to the use of the metal complexes as activators. These complexes are stable over a wide pH range, which is not the case with other inorganic compounds of which the applicant is aware, such as zinc sulphate, copper sulphate and manganese sulphate. The ligand may have the structure R—(X)n, in which X may be selected from amines, carboxyls, phosphonates and sulphonates; R may be an organic group; and n may be 1 to 4. The ligand may be selected to be a multidentate ligand. The invention extends to an activator for use in a flotation process.

Abstract: Use of a Maillard reaction product as an adjuvant in a variety of applications including solid-liquid separations, corrosion inhibition, emulsification, dust suppression, slow release fertilization, viscosity modification and others and especially as a depressant or collector in separation processes, including the selective separation of solids and/or ionic species from aqueous media, such as in the process of froth flotation.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for separating materials are provided. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of separating a first material from a second material. For example, the method can comprise mixing the first material and the second material in a slurry with a beneficiation composition. The beneficiation composition can comprise one or more fatty acid by-products derived from a biodiesel manufacturing process and one or more green collectors. Air bubbles can be provided in the slurry to form bubble-particle aggregates with the first material and the bubble-particle aggregates can be allowed to be separated from the second material.

Abstract: A method is provided for enhancing selective separation of ore values by addition of an effective amount of a treatment reagent to the separation process, such as froth flotation. The treatment reagent can be added at different stages, such as to a grinding mill, conditioning tank before flotation, or in the flotation cells before, after or simultaneous to the addition of other conventional flotation reagents. By adding the treatment agent, the recovery of valuable minerals from a froth flotation process is increased. In an embodiment of the present invention, the treatment reagent is a water-soluble ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for removing unburned carbon from fly ash at low cost and within a short time. The method comprises the steps of adding a collecting agent to fly ash directly, agitating/mixing the mixture in a mixer (5), adding water to the resulting mixed material in a mixing vessel (7) to yield a slurry, applying a shearing force to the slurry in a submerged stirrer (9), and performing flotation separation of unburned carbon in a flotator (15).

Abstract: A process is described for the separation of fluorinated plastic particles from a mixture of solid particles of similar specific gravity. The process comprises mixing the particles with water, adding air to create bubbles, and generating two or more product streams, one of which floats and the other which sinks. The floating stream is enriched in fluoropolymer particles. Per pass yield and selectivity of fluorinated plastics are enhanced by the addition of a carboxylic acid to the froth flotation medium.

Abstract: This invention relates to the pH modifier in alkaline froth flotation processes to treat oxide and semi-soluble salt ores, such as phosphates, sulfates, carbonates and halides, to increase the recovery while generally maintaining or improving selectivity, thus the grade of desired minerals. The invented pH modifier is used to replace traditional alkaline pH modifiers - hydroxides, carbonates and bicarbonates, such as sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, lime and ammonia in anionic flotation processes. The pH modifier is aqueous solution, comprised of combinations of sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, and sodium silicate, along with sulfonated surfactant products, such as sulfonated petroleum oil, fatty acids, alkylates, ethoxylated alcohol ethers, and also sulfosuccinamates; and anionic polymers. The pH modifier is also used as a promoter for anionic collectors and as a depressant for gangue minerals.

Abstract: This invention relates to the pH modifier in alkaline froth flotation processes to treat oxide and semi-soluble salt ores, such as phosphates, sulfates, carbonates and halides, to increase the recovery while generally maintaining or improving selectivity, thus the grade of desired minerals. The invented pH modifier is used to replace traditional alkaline pH modifiers—hydroxides, carbonates and bicarbonates, such as sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, lime and ammonia in anionic flotation processes. The pH modifier is aqueous solution, comprised of combinations of sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, and sodium silicate, along with sulfonated surfactant products, such as sulfonated petroleum oil, fatty acids, alkylates, ethoxylated alcohol ethers, and also sulfosuccinamates; and anionic polymers. The pH modifier is also used as a promoter for anionic collectors and as a depressant for gangue minerals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to improve the cleaner froth flotation process for the selective separation of ore values including, for example, copper, zinc, molybdenum, iron and mixtures there of, in existing flotation plants comprising the step of adding one or more acrylic acid polymers and copolymers to the cleaner froth flotation step in a standard multistep flotation process.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of molybdenum from an ore that includes a molybdenum-bearing mineral, such as molybdenite. The ore is treated to recover metal values from the ore, such as base metals, by utilizing a depressant to depress the flotation of the molybdenite. The tailings, which can include insoluble silicate minerals in addition to the molybdenite, are then activated to render the molybdenite floatable in one or more subsequent flotation steps, thereby producing a high-grade molybdenum concentrate.