Mining Process Solutions
Chemical |
Explanation |
Usage Areas |
Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol - MIBC |
It
is a weak foamer (frother) that is most commonly used in mineral flotation,
forming brittle foam. Since it is a neutral foamer, it works in both acidic
and basic pulp. It
is especially suitable for use in high volume enterprises where fine particle
size lead-zinc sulphides are processed. Commercial deliver is made in 175 kg barrels. |
It
is used as a foamer in the flotation of base metal ores, oxidized minerals,
industrial minerals. |
Potassium Amyl Xanthate - PAX (KAX) |
It
is a very strong, non-selective collector from the xanthate group, widely
used in the flotation of sulphide ores. It
is generally used as a scraper after more selective collectors. It
can be pale yellow or grayish white; available in powder or pellet form. It
has a sharp smell. It is easily soluble in water. It easily decomposes in
acid and heat. Commercial deliver is made in 130 kg barrels. |
It
is used as a collector in the flotation of Cu-Pb-Zn ores, in the flotation of
Golden pyrite, in the flotation of Cu-Ni sulphide ores. |
Potassium Ethyl Xanthate - PEX (KEX) |
It
is a collector used in flotation of sulphide ores, low cost from xanthate
group, high selectivity, but not strong. It
is used extensively in the flotation of Cu, Ni and Ag ores. It
is especially preferred when maximum selectivity is important. Commercial
deliver is made in 130 kg barrels. |
It
is used in the flotation of sulphide, mineral-containing ores, flotation of
Cu-Pb-Zn ores, flotation of Cu-Ni-Ag ores. |
Sodium Isopropyl Xanthate - SIPX |
Pellet, which is the collecting
power of sodium isopropyl xanttate, has a yellowish odor, is slightly
stronger than that of ethyl xanthate. |
It
is mostly used in the flotation of non-ferrous metallic sulfide minerals as a
collector. It is also used as a precipitator and a sulfidation enhancer of
rubber in hydrometallurgical processes. |
Sodium Isobutyl Xanthate - SIBX |
Sodium Isobutyl Xanthate Yellow
powder or pellet, freely soluble in water, pungent odor. |
It
is a stronger collector in the flotation of various non-ferrous metallic
sulfide ores. mainly used in flotation processes such as copper, lead, zinc
etc. |
Copper sulfate |
Copper
sulfate salt is a blue and odorless chemical compound, also known as
bluestone. It is completely soluble in water. Commercial deliver is generally
made in 25 kg bags and 1 ton big bags. |
It
is used as a rejuvenating agent (activator) for siphalite, pyrite, pyrothite
and other sulfides in the flotation of base metal ores, as a depressant in
the re-activation (revitalization) of cyanide suppressed sifalite, pyrite,
pyrotite and other sulfides, and in the flotation of some silicate minerals. |
Zinc Sulfate |
Zinc
sulfate is a colorless / transparent crystalline chemical. It dissolves quite
well in water. The heptahydrate form is commonly used. It is used in the
metal industry, in the flotation of base metal ores. It can be used alone or
in combination with cyanide. Commercial deliver is mostly made in 25 kg and
50 kg bags. |
It
is used as a depressant for the flotation of Pb-Zn, Cu-Zn and Cu-Pb-Zn ores,
at alkaline pH, for siphalite. |
Sodium Silicate |
Sodium
silicate, also called ‘’glass water’’, is a chemical in its composition,
which contains different amounts of metasilicate, dimetasilicate,
orthosilicate and tetracilicate. It is used quite frequently in base metal
flotation. It is commercially supplied in colorless, viscous aqueous
solutions or in colorless, glassy solid form. Aqueous solutions are offered
in 300 kg steel drums. |
The
mixture prepared with sodium silicate and sodium bichromate is a very good
depressant for lead during the flotation of copper from Cu-Pb bulk
concentrate containing secondary copper minerals. It is used as dispersant in
mineral flotation. |
Ethyl Hexanol |
It
is a colorless, fluid, characteristic odor, high boiling point and low
volatility alcohol. It is not a toxic compound. Commercial deliver is made in
170 kg barrels. |
It is
used as a foamer in the flotation of base metal ores, oxidized minerals,
industrial minerals. |
Sodium Sulfide |
Sodium
sulfide is a moisture-retaining yellow chemical that dissolves easily in
water. It is a powerful reducer. It is used as a reagent for the flotation of
both sulfite minerals and non-metal minerals. Commercial deliver is made in
25 kg bags as straws. |
It
is used as a dispersing agent for the selective flotation of Cu-Pb-Zn and
Cu-Zn ores, as a dispersant in the flotation of very fine minerals (such as
<5 µm) in the preparation of metallic copper, oxidized copper, lead and
zinc minerals for flotation. It is a good suppressor for quartz. |
Sodium Bichromate |
Sodium
bichromate is an odorless, orange-red colored, crystalline granule. Its
solubility in water is quite high. Commercial deliver is generally made in 25
kg bags. |
The
mixture prepared with sodium bichromate and sodium silicate is a very good
depressant for lead during the flotation of copper from Cu-Pb bulk
concentrate containing secondary copper minerals. |