Separation of antimony mineral impurities from complex sulphide ores.

The flotation properties of these minerals are not well known. Advanced x-ray spectrometry was used in the mineralogical analysis and the chemical environments in the pulp at the time of separation were determined. The ferrous mineral gudmundite was depressed in lime- and soda-containing, alkaline environments. The lead-antimony mineral boulangerite floated more readily, and the lime alkaline process environment seems to be the most favourable for depression of this mineral, whose behaviour resembles galena. The copper-lead-antimony mineral bournonite floats very easily and is difficult to separate in a process environment that is designed to float chalcopyrite.
The flotation properties of these minerals are not well known. Advanced x-ray spectrometry was used in the mineralogical analysis and the chemical environments in the pulp at the time of separation were determined. The ferrous mineral gudmundite was depressed in lime- and soda-containing, alkaline environments. The lead-antimony mineral boulangerite floated more readily, and the lime alkaline process environment seems to be the most favourable for depression of this mineral, whose behaviour resembles galena. The copper-lead-antimony mineral bournonite floats very easily and is difficult to separate in a process environment that is designed to float chalcopyrite.