Flotation separation of chalcopyrite from pyrite using mineral fulvic acid as selective depressant under weakly alkaline conditions

Mineral fulvic acid (MFA) was used as an eco-friendly pyrite depressant to recover chalcopyrite by flotation with the use of the butyl xanthate as a collector. Flotation experiments showed that MFA produced a stronger inhibition effect on pyrite than on chalcopyrite. The separation of chalcopyrite from pyrite was realized by introducing 150 mg/L MFA at a pulp pH of approximately 8.0. The copper grade, copper recovery, and separation efficiency were 28.03%, 84.79%, and 71.66%, respectively. Surface adsorption tests, zeta potential determinations, and localized electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests showed that more MFA adsorbed on pyrite than on chalcopyrite, which weakened the subsequent interactions…