The recovery of sericite in flotation concentrates

AbstractSericite is a fine grained muscovite mica, which is widely distributed in nature. It commonly occurs in many base metal ores, where it can become a major diluent in the concentrates produced from these ores, as well as in igneous rocks. It can be strongly recovered in flotation froths under circumstances where it is both wanted and unwanted. Muscovite, which does not have any inherent natural flotability, responds readily to cationic flotation collectors to yield concentrates of high grade and recovery from granitic or pegmatite deposits, and the technology for this separation is well established. Sericite, on the other hand, often reports strongly to concentrates from base metal ores in which it occurs. Under these circumstances, the rejection of the sericite from the froth product is generally difficult, but nevertheless important, in order to minimise contamination of the base metal concentrate. This contamination can cause problems in subsequent smelting and/or leaching. Because in these flota...