Effect of Pulse-Discharge Treatment on Structural and Chemical Properties and Floatability of Sulfide Minerals

Abstract

In terms of sulfide copper–molybdenum ore of Sorsk stockwork deposit (Republic of Khakasia), the authors discuss the option of selective dissociation of minerals. The scope of the discussion embraces the effect of pulsed-discharge treatment on particle-size indexes, structural and chemical properties and floatability of objects of the study. It is shown that the pulse-discharge treatment in a greater degree influences copper sulfides and levels their floatability while surface of molybdenite undergoes minor alteration. The pulse-discharge treatment allows enhancing flotation selectivity in separation of copper sulfides and molybdenite, and promotes removal of hydrophobic molybdenite film from quartz surface, which results in production of high-quality molybdenite concentrates.