Oxidative Dissolution of Low-Grade Ni-Cu Ore and Impact on Flotation of Pentlandite

This paper investigated the effect of mineral surface oxidation on floatability Kevitsa low-grade Ni-Cu ore. Physicochemical measurements, ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) extraction, and oxygen uptake experiments were carried out with slurry recycled process water samples obtained from Cu-Ni sequential concentrator plant. The pH water, copper flotation feed, nickel feed dropped by 0.7, 0.4, 0.7 points, respectively, May to July. demand increased then for feed. Redox potential (ORP) was lowest July, while EDTA extractable metals There a 20% drop in recoveries Based ORP measurements good takes place moderately oxidizing (75–170 mV) alkaline (9.2–9.7 pH) environment. Therefore, ORP/pH is important flotation. results showed that at plant, grinding an electrochemically active environment, which, together incoming quality, defines degree increasing corrosiveness depressed pentlandite Laboratory confirmed observed poor plant response when increased. Total dissolved solids (TDS) proven be reliable online parameter inversely proportional recovery. findings this study may help develop ways enable timely changes quality prevent harmful impacts