Characterization of Arsenopyrite Depression During Collectorless Flotation

Arsenopyrite is a mineral present in most of the world’s mineral deposits, and it pollutes both the environment and base metal concentrates. In this research work, the characterization of arsenopyrite depression was studied during collectorless flotation, in the presence of Al2(SO4)3 and Na2SiO3 mixtures, in a slightly acidic environment. The arsenopyrite used in this work consists of a single mineralogical phase. The use of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 g/ton of the mixture, depresses the presence of this phase in the concentrate by 28% w/w. The percentage of cumulative collectorless flotation and without depressant reagents was 77% w/w, while in the presence of depressants Al2(SO4)3 and Na2SiO3 it was 49% w/w. The pulp potential Eh (mV) referred to the standard hydrogen electrode, to achieve arsenopyrite depression is around Eh + 50 mV.