Institution: | University of South Australia |
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Department: | |
Degree: | PhD |
Year: | 2010 |
Keywords: | Molybdenite; Flotation; Mineral Processing/Beneficiation 91404 |
Record ID: | 1037990 |
Full text PDF: | http://itupl-ura1.ml.unisa.edu.au:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=unisa46899 |
The low flotation recovery of fine and coarse molybdenite particles is one of the major issues in the flotation process of molybdenite-bearing copper sulfide ores. In this study, the flotation behaviour of fine and coarse molybdenite particles was investigated as a function of particle size, edge to face ratio, morphology, water chemistry (pH, cations) and the presence of other minerals (gangue minerals and copper-sulfides) to reveal the mechanisms responsible for the low recovery of fine and coarse molybdenite particles. The knowledge acquired from these studies was then applied to real copper sulfide-molybdenite ores to target potential strategies for improving molybdenite flotation in these size fractions.