Work

The impact of milling media and chemical conditions in the milling process for the flotation of a mixed-sulfide ore

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Chemical reactions during milling and flotation are mostly driven by interactions between minerals, reagents, milling media, and water chemistry. Furthermore, due to these interactions, the valuable minerals may become more difficult to float, especially in the case of polymetallic ore processing in closed-water circuits. This study uses a mixed mineral − galena (Gn) and pyrite (Py) − synthetic ore sample to investigate how metallurgical performance is affected using different milling media, pHs in the mill, and process water ionic strengths. Mixed potential, DO, and pH were closely monitored in situ during milling. Using Gn and Py as the minerals of interest allows the effect of iron (Fe) in the mineral to be decoupled from that arising from the mill shell and Fe-bearing milling media.

Source: Minerals Engineering

DOI: 10.1016/j.mineng.2025.109369

Authors: Sancho N. Nyoni, Cyril T. O’Connor, Kirsten C. Corin

Institution: University of Cape Town

Language: English

Topic: Minerals Flotation and Separation Techniques

Subfield: Water Science and Technology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,220