Flotation separation of marmatite from pyrrhotite using DMPS as depressant

Mercapto organic compound DMPS was used as the depressant for separation of copper activated marmatite from pyrrhotite in the presence of butyl xanthate. The flotation tests of single mineral show that DMPS has strong depressing effect on pyrrhotite in the absence and presence of copper ion, but has activated effect on marmatite in the presence of copper ion. The floatability of marmatite is improved in the pH range of 2–12. The flotation test of mixture mineral shows that copper-activated marmatite can be separated efficiently from pyrrhotite using DMPS as depressant. Infrared adsorption spectra demonstrate that there are a number of function groups such as SH and SO3 in the molecular structure of DMPS. Xanthate and DMPS compete in their adsorption on sulfide minerals.