The Effect of Sodium Hexametaphosphate on Natural Flotation Kinetics of Talc Ore

Abstract

Ground high-grade ore with the d80 of 150 μm was subjected to a series of batch laboratory flotation tests, aimed at determining the natural flotation kinetics of talc mineral, using Methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC) frother as the only reagent. Classical first-order flotation model was used and the flotation kinetics are interpreted using the ultimate recovery (R∞) and flotation rate constant (k). Results are then compared with the kinetics of flotation in the presence of different dosages of the frother, Sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) and a mixture of SHMP and Soluble starch (SS) in various ratios. The design of experiment (DoE), evaluated using the Analysis of variance (ANOVA) test for multiple factors was used to calculate the statistical significance of the individual factors on the outcomes of the flotation tests – yield of the froth product, talc concentrate grade, talc recovery and flotation kinetics of both talc and gangue minerals. The effect of SHMP on the flotation kinetics of talc and gangue minerals in terms of affecting the R∞ and k parameters is here discussed in greater detail. Although both SHMP and SHMP/SS mixture was found to improve the overall grade of the talc concentrate, this was achieved at the expense of significantly lower recoveries of the valuable mineral.