The effect of a new polysaccharide on the depression of talc and the flotation of a nickel–copper sulfide ore

• Galactomannan (KGM) had the advantage of being an abundant resource.
• The depressant KGM was easily developed to depress talc.
• KGM could selectively and strongly adsorbed on talc through chemical absorption.
• KGM had depression selectivity for talc and obtained superior Ni and Cu recovery.
• The use of KGM decreased the depressant consumption by more than half.

The effect of the depressant galactomannan (KGM) on the depression of talc and the flotation of a nickel–copper sulfide ore have been investigated through microflotation, batch flotation and industrial flotation tests, zeta potential and infrared spectrum measurements. The flotation results indicated that KGM had a straining influence on the depression of talc while had little effect on nickel minerals flotation. Compared with the depressant carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and guar gum, the KGM increased the nickel recovery dramatically, it not only negated the need for a talc removal process, but also achieved a significant decrease in the depressant consumption by half. Zeta-potential and infrared spectrum measurements illustrated that chemical adsorption was seen between KGM and talc, and a possible weak physical adsorption was seen between KGM and pentlandite. This was the reason why KGM had high depression selectivity for talc and little depression effect on nickel minerals.

The effects of flotation time on the recoveries of Ni and MgO in Ni concentrates with and without KGM. The differential values of copper recovery in Cu concentrates and nickel recovery in Ni concentrates between experimental and comparative system.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide