Examination of flotation reagents suitable for nickel concentrator plant

Examination of flotation reagents suitable for a nickel concentrator plant was investigated using nickel sulphide ore. A number of different new reagents were examined for the best suit for the nickel concentrator plant. It was found that more nickel was found on the magnetic particles, which were assumed to be mostly pyrrhotite. A dosage of 50 g/t was found to be a suitable dose for the collector Betacol 380 AC and gave the best results, however, it was found to be expensive. Betacol 380 AB was found to be suitable at a dose of 75% g/t. There was no flotation improvement when depressants were used in conjunction with Betacol 380 AC. An activator (copper sulphate) was found to improve the grade of copper, nickel and iron meaning it activated pentlandite. The ions improved the flotability of sulfides at the normal process pH after grinding in steel mill