Selective depression of galena and chalcopyrite by O,O-bis(2,3-dihydroxypropyl) dithiophosphate.

Experiments were carried out on samples of chalcopyrite and galena containing, respectively, 32.9% Cu, 29.1% Fe and 33.2% S and 86% Pb and 13.3% S, to investigate the effect of O,O-bis(2,3-dihydroxypropyl) dithiophosphate (DHDTP) as depressant in the presence of ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate (DDTP) as collector. Results obtained in the flotation of the single minerals showed that DHDTP slightly depressed chalcopyrite over the whole pH range and strongly depressed galena over the pH range 6-10. The recovery of galena decreased rapidly and that of chalcopyrite decreased slightly with increasing DHDTP dosage. Flotation tests using mixtures of the minerals resulted in a Cu grade and recovery of 24.08% and 81%, respectively, at pH 6 using a DHDTP dosage of 278 mg/l. Zeta potential and adsorption measurements showed that DHDTP was more strongly adsorbed on galena than on chalcopyrite and that chemisorption of DHDTP may occur on galena.
Experiments were carried out on samples of chalcopyrite and galena containing, respectively, 32.9% Cu, 29.1% Fe and 33.2% S and 86% Pb and 13.3% S, to investigate the effect of O,O-bis(2,3-dihydroxypropyl) dithiophosphate (DHDTP) as depressant in the presence of ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate (DDTP) as collector. Results obtained in the flotation of the single minerals showed that DHDTP slightly depressed chalcopyrite over the whole pH range and strongly depressed galena over the pH range 6-10. The recovery of galena decreased rapidly and that of chalcopyrite decreased slightly with increasing DHDTP dosage. Flotation tests using mixtures of the minerals resulted in a Cu grade and recovery of 24.08% and 81%, respectively, at pH 6 using a DHDTP dosage of 278 mg/l. Zeta potential and adsorption measurements showed that DHDTP was more strongly adsorbed on galena than on chalcopyrite and that chemisorption of DHDTP may occur on galena.