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The present study investigates the effect of aeration and diethylenetriamine (DETA) on the selective depression of pyrite in a porphyry copper–gold ore, after regrinding (at grind sizes, d 80 = 38 and 8 μm) with respect to Au recovery and grade using oxygen demand tests, flotation, QEMSCAN, X-ray spectroscopy (XPS) and EDTA extraction analysis. It was found that pyrite depression increases after aeration and with decreasing grind size. This was observed to be due to the markedly higher oxygen consumption rate of pyrite at the 8 μm (kla = 0.10 min −1 ) than at the 38 μm grind size (kla = 0.02 min −1 ). The addition of DETA improved pyrite depression (9% with aeration only versus 39% with aeration + DETA) at the 38 μm grind size. Gold and copper flotation recovery followed pyrite recovery for the two grind sizes using XD5002 in the presence of air and DETA. The surface analysis (XPS and EDTA extraction) revealed that the significant pyrite depression at the 8 μm grind size was due to increased amount of surface iron oxides, oxy-hydroxides (Fe O/OH), sulphate species and increased liberation of mineral phases (QEMSCAN analysis), whilst the poorer pyrite depression at the 38 μm grind size was due to insufficient liberation of mineral phases and the persistence of activating Cu on the pyrite surface. The addition of DETA increased pyrite depression at the coarser grind size due to a significant reduction in Cu(I)S and increased Cu(II) O species, correlating with the flotation results of pyrite under this test condition. Two-stage copper and pyrite flotation, followed by Au cleaning after regrinding to 38 μm grind size, under high pH or aerated condition is proposed as the recommended route to optimise Au flotation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Highlights: [•] DETA depressed xanthate-induced Cu-activated pyrite (Py) at pH 10 (p80=38μm). [•] Pyrite depression is enhanced when aeration and DETA are used in combination. [•] Depression of Py was due to complexation of Cu in solution or its adsorbed state. [•] Formation of Cu(I)–DETA complex on pyrite surface increased surface Cu oxidation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier] more...

The present study investigates the implications of gold mineralogy on its flotation recovery, in a typical porphyry copper–gold ore (1.7g/t Au feed grade). Also, flotation strategies to optimise gold recovery and grade without compromising copper recovery and grade were examined. The approach used in this study involves a combination of different mineralogical techniques such as quantitative X-ray diffraction (QXRD) and scanning electron microscopy (QEMSCAN). Based on the mineralogical information obtained, different collector regimes involving sodium iso-butyl xanthate (SIBX), N-butoxycarbonyl-n butyl thionocarbamate (XD5002), mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) and dithiophosphate (DTP) at different grind sizes (p80, i.e. a nominal product size of 80wt% passing (a) 70µm and (b) 38µm screen) were tested to examine the flotation behaviour of gold in relation to copper recovery. Chalcopyrite and covellite are the principal copper mineral phases in the ore, with pyrite as the main sulphide gangue mineral. Quartz, Fe oxide and carbonates were identified as the main non-sulfide gangue minerals. The identified gold particles occurred as either liberated particles (∼10–22µm) or fine inclusions (∼1–3µm) in pyrite, biotite and sphalerite. Two-stage flotation (copper and pyrite rougher stages) at a p80 of 70µm indicated that high gold (95.2%) and copper (97.4%) recovery can be achieved, but the levels of pyrite in the concentrate are also very high (49.1%). At finer grind (p80=38µm) and without pyrite flotation stage, gold recovery decreased from 95.2% to 73%, but at an improved grade (5.3g/t) compared to 3.5g/t in the baseline. This approach improved gold grade significantly due to a drastic reduction in pyrite recovery. The flotation study indicates that the collector regime, SIBX/XD5002 (at 38µm feed size) gives the maximum gold recovery and grade while rejecting significant pyrite without compromising copper recovery and grade. Further studies are warranted to identify means of recovering Au from the copper flotation tail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...