Abstract: An apparatus and method of separating small rubbish and organic matters from garbage for collection by means of water by considering specific weight, buoyancy, and flow rate of water is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of conveyor screens incorporating injection nozzles, a less inclined channel, a conveyor, and an organic matter screen for effectively separating floated rubbish, organic matters, and sunk rubbish from garbage for collection.

Abstract: A separation apparatus and method for use in separating magnetic material from non-magnetic material that includes the use of a magnetic grid, e.g., a permanently magnetic grid, which defines a plurality of openings. The grid assists in preventing magnetic material from being transported to an overflow.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process and an apparatus for flotation of sulphide minerals, such as sulphide minerals hosted in ores rich in magnesium minerals. The process involves grinding of the nickel ore rich in magnesium minerals and thereafter separation of the ground material into a coarse and fine stream of particles coarser than about 30 microns and finer than about 30 microns, respectively. Optionally, the fines stream may be further separated into a slimes fraction. The coarse and fine flotation streams are then fit to separate parallel flotation circuits. Acid and/or activator is added during flotation of the coarse stream only. Significantly improved recoveries and grades were obtained with reduced acid consumption.

Abstract: A method for decontaminating soil containing inorganic contaminants having a degree of liberation of at least 60%, comprising the steps of removing from a coarse fraction at least a portion of inorganic contaminants in particulate form contained therein with a jig to produce a treated coarse fraction, removing from an intermediate fraction at least a portion of inorganic contaminants in particulate form contained therein with a separator selected from the group consisting of a spiral and a classifier to produce a treated intermediate fraction, removing from a fine fraction at least a portion of inorganic contaminants in particulate form contained therein with a separator selected from the group consisting of a flotation cell and a multi-gravity separator to produce a treated fine fraction, whereby the combined treated coarse, intermediate and fine fractions are impoverished in inorganic contaminants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for improving the recovery of valuable sulphide minerals. The process involves determining an Eh range within which the valuable sulphide mineral may be recovered by flotation without the need of a collector. The slurry is then subjected to flotation in a pneumatic cell (50) at such a speed that the slurry remains within the Eh range during flotation. The process substantially reduces or totally eliminates the need for collector. For mixed ores such as chalcopyrite/chalcocite chalcopyrite is recovered without collector, while some non xanthate collector may be required to recover chalcocite.

Abstract: The specification describes one or more embodiments of the present invention, which relates to a method of reducing phosphate ore losses in a desliming process. A phosphate ore preparation slurry is directed to a desliming unit; surfactants and/or an organic polymers are added to the slurry and mixed into the slurry to reduce the viscosity of the slurry and to settle out the fine phosphate ore particles for recovery. These particles are collected and directed to a beneficiation process for recovering the phosphate ore product. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope of meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: In a flotation machine rotor, a body portion defines an interior area that is adapted to communicate with a gas source. At least one rotor blade projects radially outwardly from the body portion with at least one aperture being defined thereby and in gaseous communication with the interior area. The aperture is positioned adjacent the rotor blade and is defined in part by a lower peripheral edge. At least one lip projects radially outwardly from the lower peripheral edge so that during operation of the rotor, solids traveling along the body portion are projected radially away from the rotor by the lip and become approximately aligned with the aperture so that gas flowing from the aperture creates bubbles in the slurry that entrain at least a portion of the solid particles. The bubbles and solid particles form a froth on the surface of the slurry which can then be removed from the flotation machine.

Abstract: Methods of increasing the rate of separating hydrophobic and hydrophilic particles by flotation have been developed. They are based on using appropriate reagents to enhance the hydrophobicity of the particles to be floated, so that they can be more readily collected by the air bubbles used in flotation. The hydrophobicity-enhancing reagents include low HLB surfactants, naturally occurring lipids, modified lipids, and hydrophobic polymers. These methods can greatly increase the rate of flotation for the particles that are usually difficult to float, such as ultrafine particles, coarse particles, middlings, and the particles that do not readily float in the water containing large amounts of ions derived from the particles. In addition, new collectos for the flotation of phosphate minerals are disclosed.

Abstract: Froth flotation processes, useful for beneficiating base metal mineral values from metal sulfide ore, utilize a collector comprising N-butoxycarbonyl-O-butylthionocarbamate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotor used in the flotation mechanism in the concentration of ores. According to the invention, upper part of the rotor chambers under the rotor cover are formed to be downward inclined from the outer edge of the chambers into the core so that they form an angle between 5 to 70 degrees with the horizontal plane. In addition the upper surface of the rotor cover can be inclined upwards raising from around the rotor shaft towards the outer edge at an angle between 5-70 degrees. With the means inside and above the rotor the slurry is directed upwards through the stator of the flotation mechanism. The developed rotor improves the suspension of coarse particles with high specific gravity within a flotation machine. The invention relates also to a method for inverting the material flow disharging from the rotor.

Abstract: A process of separating a desired constituent from a mixture of particulate matter including the steps of: conditioning a liquid mixture of particulate matter with a frothing agent to create a pulp; aerating the pulp to generate a float fraction of froth supported on the surface of a non-float fraction of pulp; separating a portion of froth from the float fraction; draining the separated froth; washing the separated froth with a liquid to dislodge particles comprising one or more of non-selectively attached, entrained, and entrapped particles; and recovering the washed froth, is disclosed herein. Also disclosed herein are a froth cleaning apparatus and a froth flotation apparatus for separating a desired constituent from a mixture of particulate matter.

Abstract: A method for decontaminating soil containing inorganic contaminants having a degree of liberation of at least 60%, comprising the steps of removing from a coarse fraction at least a portion of inorganic contaminants in particulate form contained therein with a jig to produce a treated coarse fraction, removing from an intermediate fraction at least a portion of inorganic contaminants in particulate form contained therein with a separator selected from the group consisting of a spiral and a classifier to produce a treated intermediate fraction, removing from a fine fraction at least a portion of inorganic contaminants in particulate form contained therein with a separator selected from the group consisting of a flotation cell and a multi-gravity separator to produce a treated fine fraction, whereby the combined treated coarse, intermediate and fine fractions are impoverished in inorganic contaminants.

Abstract: A method for decontaminating soil containing inorganic contaminants having a degree of liberation of at least 60%, comprising the steps of removing from a coarse fraction at least a portion of inorganic contaminants in particulate form contained therein with a jig to produce a treated coarse fraction, removing from an intermediate fraction at least a portion of inorganic contaminants in particulate form contained therein with a separator selected from the group consisting of a spiral and a classifier to produce a treated intermediate fraction, removing from a fine fraction at least a portion of inorganic contaminants in particulate form contained therein with a separator selected from the group consisting of a flotation cell and a multi-gravity separator to produce a treated fine fraction, whereby the combined treated coarse, intermediate and fine fractions are impoverished in inorganic contaminants.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering a desired fraction of a raw material bearing the desired fraction has a vessel or cell defining a treatment chamber therein, with an inlet into the chamber for introducing a slurry of raw material to be treated into the chamber. An attrition zone is defined in a portion of the chamber proximate the inlet in the flow path of material introduced into the chamber, the particles being caused to impact against each other in the attrition zone to cause attritioning thereof. A floatation zone is defined in a distal portion of the chamber, in flow communication with the attrition zone, in which attritioned particles from the attrition zone can be contacted with gas bubbles to form a froth phase separated from the slurry by a slurry-froth interface such that the desired fraction is either selectively taken up into the froth phase by the gas bubbles or selectively left behind in the slurry. An outlet from the chamber for the froth phase is present.

Abstract: Methods of increasing the rate of separating hydrophobic and hydrophilic particles by flotation have been developed. They are based on using appropriate reagents to enhance the hydrophobicity of the particles to be floated, so that they can be more readily collected by the air bubbles used in flotation. The hydrophobicity-enhancing reagents include low HLB surfactants, naturally occurring lipids, modified lipids, and hydrophobic polymers. These methods can greatly increase the rate of flotation for the particles that are usually difficult to float, such as ultrafine particles, coarse particles, middlings, and the particles that do not readily float in the water containing large amounts of ions derived from the particles. In addition, new collectos for the flotation of phosphate minerals are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flotation cell line, wherein there are installed, in order to treat the flotatable material, several flotation cells so that the flotatable material can be set to flow through the flotation cell line. According to the invention, the flotation cells (, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; 31, 32, 33, 34, 35) that are arranged successively in the flowing direction (22, 52) of the flotatable material, are at least partly installed in parallel with respect to each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for improving the operation of a flotation cell line, said flotation cell line comprising several flotation cells (1, 2, 3, 4, 5; 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) that are connected by means of liquid stream flow. According to the invention, at least part of the material flotated in the flotation cell line is conducted past the cell (1, 11) that is located first in the flotation cell line, when seen in the flowing direction (7, 16) of the flotatable material.

Abstract: A device and process for aerating dispersions, particularly for flotation of pulp suspensions, in a de-inking process. The process includes at least two stages, where each stage has a separate liquid circulating system which sucks in the gas or air and mixes it with the liquid. The device has at least two flotation cells, with each of the cells having a separate injector and a separate circulation system including a pump.

Abstract: A process for separating minerals of different mineralogical character. A milled slurry or flotation concentrate is subjected to a first conditioning step (20) followed by a first flotation step (30) followed by a second conditioning step (50) followed by a second flotation step (60). One of the conditioning steps is with an oxidising gas, the other of the conditioning steps being with a non-oxidising gas and an oxidisable surface modifying reagent. The process allows separation of mixtures of valuable minerals by tailoring both the first and second conditioning steps and first and second flotation steps to particular mixed mineral ores.

Abstract: A process is described for separating particles based on differences in mass after the selective attachment of air bubbles to reduce the density of one or more of the components of the feed. A novel feature of this process is aeration of a hindered-bed of solids in a fluidized-bed separator to create particle/bubble agglomerates that can be separated based on the principal of gravity. This approach offers an improvement in process efficiency that cannot be achieved by other processes. Air and water are mixed in a shear device before the aerated fluidized water is introduced to the separation chamber.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of minerals from the fine particle size fraction of froth flotation feed (slimes), which is conventionally discarded to waste because slimes interfere with efficient flotation. In the disclosed process, the slimes, which also may be termed fines, are scrubbed to clean the slimes, and are then subjected to conventional froth flotation. The scrubbing is done in the presence of an attrition media, in addition to chemical reagents for cleaning and dispersing fine particles. Thus an inert attrition media, of larger particle size than the slimes, is introduced into a scrubber. The process accordingly recovers a fine fraction of the flotation feed that is normally lost. The recovery process may be incorporated into an existing plant design, or as part of a new plant designed to recover material previously discarded in waste disposal areas.

Abstract: Process and device for the flotation of contaminates out of an aqueous fibrous suspension using a foam. The process includes creating the foam, introducing the fibrous suspension into the foam, transferring contaminates from the fibrous suspension to the foam, and removing some portion of the fibrous suspension from the foam as an accepted stock. The device includes a liquid containing area, a mechanism for introducing a gas into the liquid containing area, and a mechanism for introducing the fibrous suspension into a foam containing area arranged to be adjacent the liquid containing area.

Abstract: A flotation machine is provided which includes at least one flotation cell having an inner chamber. The fiber suspension is transported into the inner chamber, and a gas is injected into the fiber suspension within the inner chamber at a temperature above 100° C. to decrease the density of the wax within the fiber suspension. The wax is removed from the fiber suspension.

Abstract: A method for optimising a mineral recovery process. A slurry 10 is fed to a conditioning step 20. The condition slurry 30 is then provided to a flotation circuit 40 to recover a concentrate 50. The remainder of the slurry is then rejected as tail 60 or passed for further processing. The present invention provides apparatus for analysing a sample stream 100 of the slurry. A sample stream 100 is provided to an analysis device 200 which treats the sample with an oxidising gas similar to the oxidative treatment 20. Several parameters are measured before and/or after the oxidative treatment of the slurry. The flotability characteristic of the slurry is then determined as a function of the measured parameter(s). The result is used to optimise mineral recovery. This apparatus can be used intermittently or continuously to provide on-going optimisation of the mineral recovery circuit.

Abstract: A device and process for aerating dispersions, particularly for flotation of pulp suspensions, in a de-inking process. The process includes at least two stages, where each stage has a separate liquid circulating system which sucks in the gas or air and mixes it with the liquid. The device has at least two flotation cells, with each of the cells having a separate injector and a separate circulation system including a pump.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recycling of old corrugated container (OCC) using flotation and kneading treatment and more particularly, to a method for recycling of OCC, wherein OCC is treated withflotation and kneading, treatment, and thereby removing fines and ink spot in the waste pulp and improving the strength and drainage property. As a result, it can be recycled similar to the expensive virgin unbleached kraft pulp.

Abstract: A method for removing ammonia and ammonia compounds from fly ash and other combustion by-products is provided. The method may be performed with raw or processed fly ash, or it may be performed in conjunction with a wet beneficiation process. The method involves mixing the ammonia-contaminated fly ash with water and then filtering and/or drying the solution to remove the ammonia and water. The method produces fly ash having an ammonia content of less than about 60-80 ppm, which allows the fly ash to be utilized in a number of applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for the removal of organic and inorganic contaminants from contaminated sediment or soil. The method comprises a first step of removal and disposal of very large debris while the smaller particle flow is directed to a second step of removal of organic contaminants preferably by means of attrition cell, conditioning tank and flotation columns, the remaining particulate flow, free of organic contaminants, is directed to a third step of removal of inorganic contaminants preferably by means of hydrocycloning to separately deal with very small particles of less than 20 microns, both particulate flows are then preferably subjected to column flotation to separate out the inorganic contaminants. Thus, the method of the present invention yields decontaminated soil or sediment and two distinct contaminant concentrates (organic and inorganic, respectively). Both concentrates can be recovered and used for various applications.

Abstract: The process is designed for the flotation of interfering materials from an aqueous fibrous pulp suspension and is in particular used in the processing of printed or used paper that is otherwise contaminated. The separation of gas bubbles of the suspension occurs in a flotation layer that has a maximum thickness of approximately 100 mm. The process also achieves good flotation results in fibrous pulp suspensions that have a fiber pulp content significantly larger than 1 % by weight, for example around 2% by weight. A flotation apparatus is provided for performing the flotation process. The apparatus includes a flotation vessel, an inlet, an outlet, and a skimmer device.

Abstract: The process of the present invention recovers precious metals from refractory carbonaceous precious metal ores by floating a portion of the ground ore, blending the concentrate with an unfloated portion of the ore, autogenously autoclaving the blended material, cooling the oxidized slurry by dilution, leaching the oxidized slurry after dilution in the presence of a thiosulfate lixiviant, and recovering the precious metal by suitable techniques.

Abstract: Cellulosic fines and cellulosic fibers are separated from a suspension containing the fines, the fibers and hydrophobic materials by screening the suspension to remove the fibers, and then subjecting the resultant filtrate to dispersed air flotation in the presence of calcium and generally a separation aid to form an upper Reject fraction in which the hydrophobic material is concentrated and a lower Accept fraction in which the cellulosic fines are concentrated.

Abstract: A method for controlling a froth flotation system in a mineral processing operation for recovering metal from a metal source. A rule-based expert system adjusts performance of the froth flotation system.

Abstract: The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a method of removing wax from recycled cellulosic fiber. The cellulosic fiber is pulped in a pulper to a suspension with a consistency of less than about 10% by weight. The suspension is then screened to remove coarse and fine contaminants. The screened suspension is diluted to a consistency of less than about 3% by weight. The wax is removed from the diluted suspension using a froth flotation device. The suspension is then washed and/or thickened.

Abstract: The process is designed for the flotation of interfering materials from an aqueous fibrous pulp suspension and is in particular used in the processing of printed or used paper that is otherwise contaminated. The separation of gas bubbles of the suspension occurs in a flotation layer that has a maximum thickness of approximately 100 mm. The process also achieves good flotation results in fibrous pulp suspensions that have a fiber pulp content significantly larger than 1% by weight, for example around 2% by weight. A flotation apparatus is provided for performing the flotation process. The apparatus includes a flotation vessel, an inlet, an outlet, and a skimmer device.

Abstract: The method for de-inking paper pulp produced by the reduction to pulp, with water, of old papers of various qualities according to which a stream of air bubbles (C) is sent through the flow (E2, S2, E3, S3) of pulp at least once, is characterized by the fact that a countercurrent of water (E1) is sent into the stream of de-inking air bubbles after said bubbles have passed through the pulp and become laden with ink particles so that the countercurrent releases the particles (fibers, fines, fillers) borne along by these de-inking bubbles and carries them away.

Abstract: A improved process for beneficiating kaolin clays to remove discoloring impurities is disclosed. The beneficiation of kaolin clay is improved by fractionating a kaolin clay starting material into a lower brightness first fraction having a majority of the discoloring impurities and a higher brightness second fraction with less impurities. The first fraction is then beneficiated (such as by flotation, selection flocculation, high intensity magnetic separation and/or leaching) to produce a kaolin clay product with improved optical properties. The first and second fractions may be combined to produce a product with improved optical properties.

Abstract: An elutriation apparatus which combines pressurized liquid nozzles (16A) and the low energy air nozzles (20) producing bubbles for flotation and separation of trace materials in a heterogeneous mixture of materials is described. Quantitative separation of trace evidence is achieved by the apparatus by a closed system of mechanical separations using the water and the air to isolate and deposit trace evidence on a fine mesh screen filter (17) submerged in the water (24) in a container (23). The method provides a rapid, quantitative and inexpensive method for detection of the evidence in soil samples.

Abstract: The flotation process for separating particulate impurities from fibrous suspensions in a flotation tank. Upon or after entry into the flotation tank, the fibrous suspension added to the flotation tank may be mixed with a portion of the suspension already in the flotation tank. The portion of the suspension already in the flotation tank may be drawn into the added suspension. After mixing, the mixed suspensions enter a mixing element. The mixed suspension is expelled into the flotation tank and a circular flow pattern is generated within the flotation tank as a result. A flow speed may be limited at a top end so that an optimal mixing with the gas bubbles required for flotation may occur with a desired energy savings.

Abstract: A superb centrifugal flotation cell with a rotating feed, is provided for use in an effective separation process to rapidly recover greater quantities of valuable fine particles. In the process, a slurry of fine particles is injected with air bubbles and moved downwardly through a stationary pipe and a rotating feed line comprising a centrifugal rotating downfeeder. The slurry is centrifugally discharged from the rotating downfeeder into the flotation chamber where the slurry is separated into a waste stream of non-floating gangue material and a particulate-enriched froth comprising air bubbles carrying a substantial amount of the valuable fine particles for further processing.

Abstract: The carbon and mineral components of fly ash are effectively separated by a continuous air agglomeration method, resulting in a substantially carboree mineral stream and a highly concentrated carbon product. The method involves mixing the fly ash comprised of carbon and inorganic mineral matter with a liquid hydrocarbon to form a slurry, contacting the slurry with an aqueous solution, dispersing the hydrocarbon slurry into small droplets within the aqueous solution by mechanical mixing and/or aeration, concentrating the inorganic mineral matter in the aqueous solution, agglomerating the carbon and hydrocarbon in the form of droplets, collecting the droplets, separating the hydrocarbon from the concentrated carbon product, and recycling the hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A mixing device in the form of a centrifugal pump is used to mix gas (typically air) with liquid (typically effluent water, dispersion water, or waste paper pulp suspension, etc.). The pump is provided with a common inlet conduit for both the liquid and the gas so that liquid and gas flow freely and in an arbitrary ratio into the pump, that is there is no controlling or adjusting of the flows. The gas is allowed to either dissolve in the liquid or be mixed as small bubbles with the liquid, and any surplus gas is separated from the mixing device (e.g. by holes in the pump impeller leading to a rear portion of the pump which is attached to a vacuum source, such as a liquid ring pump). The liquid and gas dissolved therein, and small bubbles mixed therein, are discharged from the mixing device at a pressure that is raised from the inlet pressure, due to the action of the impeller, which pressure development enhances the dissolution of gas in the liquid.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the consumption of alkaline pH modifier in a mineral separation circuit which employs sulfoxy radical-containing reagents. The method comprises the addition of a non-oxidizing gas to the mineral separation circuit prior to and/or simultaneously with the addition of the sulfoxy radical-containing reagent. The non-oxidizing gas is added in a quantity sufficient to achieve a chemical environment conducive to the flotation separation of minerals. The inventive process is suitable for a wide range of valuable minerals including sulfidic copper minerals or mixtures of sulfidic and non-sulfidic copper minerals, sulfidic iron minerals (particularly pyrite) and non-sulfidic gangue material. It is particularly suitable for sedimentary copper deposits, copper skarns, porphyry copper/molybdenum/gold deposits and super gene enrichments.

Abstract: A method of aerating a liquid comprising the steps of providing a column, introducing liquid under pressure into an upper zone of the column in the form of a jet of liquid directed in a path, permitting gas to be entrained by the jet of liquid, obstructing the path of the jet of liquid to form a zone of turbulence in which bubbles are formed in the liquid to create a foam or froth bed in the column, and removing the foam or froth.

Abstract: A process and apparatus serves to remove solid matter from an aqueous material suspension produced from printed used paper. As many interfering material particles are collected by floatation as possible in a floatation foam and diverted as a reject. A perforated separating element is located above the fibrous material suspension. Between the separating element and the floatation foam, an intermediate layer is formed. In the intermediate layer the fibers, which have been entrained by gas bubbles are again rinsed and retrieved.

Abstract: A user-friendly centrifugal flotation cell with a rotating drum, is provided for use in an efficient separation process to rapidly recover greater quantities of valuable fine particles. In the process, a slurry of fine particles is injected with air bubbles and moved downwardly through a stationary downfeeder to a centrifuge comprising a rotating flotation cell. The aerated slurry is centrifugally separated into a waste stream of non-floating gangue material and a particulate-enriched froth comprising air bubbles carrying a substantial amount of the valuable fine particles. The froth is processed by froth flotation in a froth flotation chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for the separation of coal from pyritic impurities using a modified froth flotation system. The froth flotation column incorporates a helical track about the inner wall of the column in a region intermediate between the top and base of the column. A standard impeller located about the central axis of the column is used to generate a centrifugal force thereby increasing the separation efficiency of coal from the pyritic particles and hydrophillic tailings.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the recovery of base metal sulfides including chalcocite, chalcopyrite, pentlandite and platinum group metal bearing mineral ores. The process involves passing a slurry of the ore through a reagent conditioning stage wherein suitable activators, collectors, frothers and/or depressants are added, further conditioning the slurry with a non-oxidizing gas in a quantity conducive to the separation of the sulfide minerals from the remainder of the ore and subsequently subjecting the slurry to a final flotation treatment with a flotation gas having a higher oxygen content than the non-oxidizing gas. The non-oxidizing gas conditioning can be carried out prior to or after the reagent conditioning stage.

Abstract: A method for reducing both reagent consumption and scale formation in a mineral separation circuit employing sulfoxy compounds as reagents. The method involves introducing into the mineral separation circuit a non-oxidizing gas in a quantity sufficient to reduce the degree of oxidation of the sulfoxy radical. Preferably the gas is introduced during the reagent conditioning and flotation stages, the stages where the presence of dissolved oxygen in a slurry is most likely to create the conditions conducive to oxidation of the sulfoxy radicals which result in reagent consumption and scale formation problems. The process is suitable for a wide range of mineral separation circuits which use sulfoxy reagents for the separation of sulfidic minerals including chalcopyrite, pentlandite, pyrite, sphalerite, pyrrhotite or galena.

Abstract: A process for the separation of minerals of different mineralogical character. The process involves conditioning a milled slurry or a slurry of a flotation concentrate which contains a mixture of valuable sulfidic minerals and non-sulfidic gangue material with an inert/non-oxidizing gas and/or a reducing/deoxifying agent. The conditioning is conducted to achieve a controlled dissolved oxygen content or electrochemical reduction potential conducive to the separation of the valuable sulfidic mineral, non-sulfidic gangue material. The inert/non-oxidizing gas and/or reducing/deoxifying agent may be added to the slurry in a quantity sufficient to increase rejection of the non-sulfidic gangue minerals or to improve the selectivity between the valuable sulfidic minerals and non-sulfidic gangue minerals.

Abstract: A method of increasing both flotation selectivity and effectiveness of a sulfoxy radical-containing reagent added to a mineral separation circuit. The method involves adding a non-oxidizing gas to the mineral separation circuit prior to and/or simultaneously with the addition of the sulfoxy radical-containing reagent in a quantity sufficient to achieve a chemical environment conducive to flotation separation of minerals. The process is suitable for use with a broad range of slurries and flotation concentrates having a mixture of valuable materials including sulfidic copper minerals, sulfidic and non-sulfidic copper minerals, valuable lead and/or zinc and/or nickel minerals, sulfidic iron minerals (particularly pyrite) and non-sulfidic gangue material. It is particularly suitable for polymetallic ores containing economic values of copper and/or lead and/or zinc and/or nickel which is frequently in association with iron sulfide.