Adsorbing Flotation of Copper Hydroxo Precipitates by Pyrite Fines

The removal of copper ions from dilute aqueous solutions by the addition of mineral (pyrite) fine particles was undertaken by following an adsorbing (scavenging) flotation mechanism. Pyrite generally constitutes a residual or a solid industrial waste by-product in mixed sulfides processing plants. This paper suggests a further utilization for pyrite. The dissolved-air method was applied for solid/liquid separation when the mineral particles were in the fine (subsieve) size range. Various unconventional collectors for pyrite flotation were also examined.