Surface characterization and froth flotation of fergusonite from Abu Dob pegmatite using a combination of anionic and nonionic collectors.

The performance of the mixed anionic (sodium oleate) / nonionic (sorbitan monooleate) collectors on fergusonite flotation and separation from silicate gangue minerals was investigated using the flotation tests. The surface characterization of fergusonite before and after the treatment with the mixed collectors was determined using the zeta-potential measurements and FT-IR analyses. The results obtained from this study showed that the flotation recovery of fergusonite using sodium oleate enhanced in the presence of sorbitan monooleate, and the optimum floatability was achieved at pH 5 using 1 Kg/Mg blended collectors of sodium oleate and sorbitan monooleate as by a ratio 1:1 and methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC) as a frother. It was also found that the addition of sodium metasilicate to citric acid as a depressant showed a high affinity for silicate gangue minerals and weak affinity for fergusonite. The zeta-potential and FT-IR measurements of fergusonite after the treatment with the mixed collectors indicated a strong adsorption of these molecules on the particle surface due to chemisorptions. Additionally, The SEM analysis of high grade froth and its corresponding tailing product showed that the fergusonite mineral mostly concentrated in the froth, while the gangue silicate minerals relatively concentrated in the tailing. Finally, synergistic interaction between the anionic and nonionic surfactants was observed during adsorption on fergusonite and was succeeded for separation from its gangue silicate minerals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]