Effect of Grinding Media on Flotation Performance of Cu-Ni Sulfide Ores.

In this study, two different copper nickel ores produced in China and South Africa were taken as the research object, and the influence of grinding medium type on the flotation behavior of copper nickel ores was studied. The results show that the flotation recoveries of Cu and Ni of JC copper nickel ore from China after grinding with stainless steel medium are higher than those of cast iron medium, the grade of Cu is significantly improved, the floating speed of Ni is slower, and the floating amount of serpentine is greatly increased. However, the copper and nickel flotation recovery of NK copper nickel ore of South Africa after grinding with stainless steel medium is significantly lower than that of iron casting medium, and the mass draw of sulfide mineral and chromite is increased, while the mass draw of talc is significantly reduced. Galvanic effect in grinding process and hydroxyl complex produced by grinding of cast iron medium are important factors affecting flotation behavior of copper nickel sulfide minerals and gangue minerals. The difference in mineral composition of the two ores, to some extent, causes the difference in the influence of the above factors on the flotation behavior of the two ores. The gangue mineral of JC copper nickel ore is mainly serpentine. The Fe produced in the grinding process of cast iron medium has a living effect on serpentine, which makes the serpentine float up in a large amount in the flotation process and reduces the concentrate grade. The effect of Gavanic on the flotation behavior of JC copper nickel ore is significant. The proper oxidation of copper minerals during grinding with stainless steel medium can improve the copper flotation speed and recovery rate, but has a negative impact on the flotation speed of nickel minerals. The content of talc in NK copper nickel ore reaches 7%. Due to the strong hydrophobicity of talc and the adsorption and consumption capacity of the foaming agent and collector, a large proportion of the foaming agent and collector of NK copper nickel ore are consumed by talc when grinding with stainless steel medium, resulting in a significant reduction in the flotation amount of sulfide minerals, but the flotation speed of copper sulfide minerals is still improved to a certain extent by the effect of gavanic. The cover of iron hydroxy speicies produced by grinding of cast iron medium on the surface reduces the absorption consumption of talc for frother and collector to a certain extent, thereby increasing the mass draw of nickel sulfide and pyrrhotite in the ore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]