The effect of crystallochemical peculiarities of nickel sulphide minerals on flotation of copper-nickel ore

Abstract Flotation kinetics of pentlandite and violarite contained in copper–nickel ores and the effect of crystallochemical peculiarities of the minerals on their flotation features are studied. Studies of the effect of pentlandite crystallochemical features on its flotation properties have shown that the easiest to float is nickel-enriched pentladite, cobalt-enriched one being somewhat worse the worst being iron-enriched one. Pentlandite was found to be much better recovery to flotation concentrates than violarite. So, the process of violaritization of the surface of pentlandite grains, which may occur during the flotation, will negatively affect its characteristics.