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 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 efficiency 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.