Control of pyrite surface chemistry in physical coal cleaning

One of the most difficult separations in minerals processing involves the differential flotation of pyrite and coal. Under practical flotation conditions, they are both hydrophobic and no cost-effective method has been developed to efficiently reject the pyrite. The problem arises from inherent floatability of coal and pyrite. Coal is naturally hydrophobic and remains so under practical flotation. Although pyrite is believed to be naturally hydrophilic under practical flotation conditions it undergoes a relatively rapid incipient oxidation reaction that causes self-induced'' flotation. The oxidation product responsible for self-induced'' flotation is believed to be a metal polysulfide, excess sulfur in the lattice, or in some cases elemental sulfur. It is believed that if incipient oxidation of pyrite could be prevented, good pyrite rejection could be obtained. In order to gain a better understanding of how pyrite oxidizes, a new method of preparing fresh, unoxidized pyrite surfaces and a new method of studying pyrite oxidation have been developed this reporting period