Collector properties of new flotation reagent Z-96

Abstract Some electrochemical and flotation properties of brand new flotation reagent Z-96 were presented in this paper. A mixture of Z-96/PEX (potassium ethylxanthate) in the ratio of 30/70 gives the best results in flotation experiments. All investigations were carried out on copper ore “V. Krivelj” from Yugoslavia. Presented results show good corrosion inhibition properties of reagent Z-96 in the grinding stage, as well as good collector properties of the mixture Z-96/PEX in the flotation of copper minerals. With the addition of Z-96, ball wearing was decreased for 32.2% in laboratory tests to 10.33% in full industrial test. With the mixture Z-96/PEX as a collector for copper minerals, copper recovery was increased by about 2% in both the laboratory and full industrial tests. Also, laboratory flotation tests presented better hydrodynamics effects with the Z-96/PEX mixture as a collector, compared to that with PEX itself as a collector.