Treatment of the Siirt-Madenköy ores by flotation

Copper ore sample collected from Siirt, Turkey, was used in experimental studies. The microscopic analysis of the sample showed that the ore contained pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, hematite, limonite, calcite and quartz. In this investigation, a series of tests were done to obtain concentrates assaying approximately 20 per cent copper with a zinc content less than four per cent. The effects of collector type, collector amount, pH and particle size were investigated. In flotation tests, Aerophine 3418A (Sodium Isobutyl Dithiophosphine), KEX (Potassium Ethyl Xanthate) and Aerofloat 211 (Sodium Isopropyl Dithiophosphate) were used as a collector where MIBC (Methyl Iso Butyl Carbinol) were the frother used. The effects of depressants such as zinc sulfate, sodium metabisulfite were investigated for the depression of zinc and sodium silicate for gangue minerals. Flotation experiments showed that the best results were obtained in the addition of dithiophosphinate Aero 3418A as a collector at an amount of 50 g/t. Sodium metabisulfite was found to be much more effective depressant compared to zinc sulfate.