Flotation of sulphide ores

Claim 2

A process as defined in claim 1, in which the first-conditioning step is at least partially carried out during one or more wet-grinding stages.

Claim 3

A process as defined in claim 1, in which the entire first-conditioning step is carried out subsequently to one or more wet-grinding stages.

Claim 4

A process as defined in claim 1, in which the alkaline agent is sodium carbonate.

Claim 5

A process as defined in claim 1, in which the alkaline agent is ammonium hydroxide.

Claim 6

A process as defined in claim 1, in which the alkaline agents are sodium carbonate and ammonium hydroxide.

Claim 7

A process as defined in claim 1, in which the alkaline agents are sodium carbonate, ammonium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide.

Claim 8

A process as defined in claim 1, in which the alkaline agents are sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide.

Claim 9

A process as defined in claim 1, in which the alkaline agents are sodium carbonate and calcium hydroxide.

Claim 10

A process as defined in claim 1, in which copper sulphate is added as an activating agent during said first-conditioning step.

Claim 11

A process as defined in claim 1, in which a trimethyl nonyl ether of polyethylene glycol is added as a wetting agent during said first conditioning step.

Claim 12

A process as defined in claim 1, in which the xanthate reagent employed is sodium amyl xanthate.

Claim 13

A process as defined in claim 1, in which the xanthate reagent employed is potassium amyl xanthate.

Claim 14

A process for the flotation recovery of copper and nickel sulphide minerals from ores containing both such minerals by a process in which at least two-conditioning steps precede flotation, said process consisting essentially of (a) a first-conditioning step wherein the ore, together with such activating agents and wetting agents as are to Be used, is conditioned in the presence of at least one alkaline agent selected from the group consisting of alkali metal carbonates, ammonium hydroxide, mixtures of these two compounds, and mixtures comprising at least one of these compounds and at least one hydroxide selected from the group consisting of sodium potassium, and calcium hydroxides, in an amount calculated to bring the pH of the resulting pulp up to a point within the optimum range of flotation of the said minerals, for a period of time sufficient to activate said minerals, then (b) a second-conditioning step wherein the pulp resulting from the first step is conditioned in the presence of a selected member of the family of xanthate flotation reagents for a period of time determined by experiment to produce maximum activation of said minerals; then (c) a third conditioning step wherein the pulp resulting from the second step is conditioned in the presence of sodium silicate in an amount and for a time, predetermined by experiment, to be sufficient to effectively disperse the host rock minerals; and then (d) subjecting the resulting pulp to froth flotation.

Claim 15

A process as defined in claim 15, in which the second-conditioning step is carried out for a period of from 10 to about 30 minutes.

Claim 16

A process as defined in claim 15, in which the third-conditioning step is carried out for a period of less than 10 minutes.

Claim 17

A process as defined in claim 15, in which the second-conditioning step is carried out for a period of from about 10 to about 30 minutes, and in which the third-conditioning step is carried out for a period of less than 10 minutes.

Claim 18

A process as defined in claim 15, in which the sodium silicate is added as dispersant during both the first and third-conditioning steps, the amount added in the first step being less than that added in the third step.