Flotation of oxide copper ore with sodium oleate from the Sepon mine, Lao PDR

Abstract

The flotation of oxide copper ore with sodium oleate was investigated to determine the optimum pH and dosages of chemical reagents. From the mineralogical analysis using X-ray diffraction, malachite was the major mineral and the gangue minerals were mostly silicates such as quartz and kaolinite. As a result this ore was characterized as oxide copper. This result related well with the chemical analysis using XRF which indicated that copper was the main element with some minor constituents. Oxide copper ore flotation with 800 g/ton sodium oleate at pH 9 yielded 14.4% Cu with 83.3% recovery in a rougher circuit. To enhance the flotation performance, in terms of %Cu, optimum dosages of sodium silicate, quebracho, and pine oil were examined. At the optimum dosages, the grade increased to 20.1% Cu with 76.4% recovery. To upgrade the rougher concentrate, sodium oleate was added in the cleaner stage and without any reagents added in the recleaner stage. The best performance was achieved in this rougher-cleaner-recleaner circuit with 70.7% recovery of 26.9% Cu. This finished concentrate complied with the copper market standard.

Keywords

• flotation
• malachite
• oxide copper ore
• reagent dosage
• sodium oleate