CLASSIFICATION OF MINERALS BASED

ON THE ABILITY TO BE SUPPRESSED

BY POLYMERS AT FLOTATION
The author of the classification is Natalia Petrovskaya, 2014-2017

Polymers are found both naturally and synthetically made.

Naturally polymers are used: as the depressor of minerals in flotation.

The most known naturally polymers are:

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)

Starch (Amylum)

Dextrin

Guar gum (Guaran)

Others

Advantages:

1. Polymers can separate some minerals.

2. Polymers can act in a wide range of pH and Eh, with undesirable ions in the
pulp.
Disadvantages:

1. Experts are needed to create complex formulas for the use of polymers for
each particular ore. Ready-made effective formulas practically do not exist.

2. The non-permanent composition of natural polymers significantly reduces the

scope of their use.

3. Polymers have low selectivity and in excess can suppress all minerals.

4. Difficulties in storage (they are eaten by insects and animals).

Classification of minerals based on the ability to be

suppressed by polymers at flotation:

Minerals of the 1st group are suppressed very easily: Actinolite, Benitoite,
Biotite, Illite, Kaolinite, Muscovite, Phlogopite, Pyrophyllite, Sericite, Steatite and
flotation active silicate minerals; Anhydrite, Gypsum; Molybdenite.

Minerals of 2nd group are easily suppressed, but worse than the minerals
of group 1: Baryte, Calcite, Dolomite, Olivine, Zircon; Hematite, Hydrogoethite,
Limonite, Magnetite and other iron oxides; Diopside, Enstatite, Spodumene;
Apatite.

Minerals of 3rd group are suppressed worse than the minerals of groups 1
and 2: Chalcopyrite, Galena, Pyrite, Sphalerite and other sulphides.

Minerals of 4th group are hardly suppressed: Albite, Amazonite, Fluorite,

Gold, Magnesite?, Microcline, Orthoclase, Quartz
You can contact us for advice:
The consulting on concentration of minerals
https://sites.google.com/site/concentrationofminerals/the-consulting-of-mineral-
concentration

You can buy some formulas and ready-made solutions:

SOLUTION 4. These flotation reagents can replace the polymers in the
plants of the Americas
https://sites.google.com/site/concentrationofminerals/services/solution-4

SOLUTION 9. The flotation of iron minerals. How manufacturers of the reagents

can convince the Plant to buy and to use the starch?
https://sites.google.com/site/concentrationofminerals/services/solution-9

SOLUTION 13. What are polymers, biopolymers, natural polymers in flotation

https://sites.google.com/site/concentrationofminerals/solution-13

Ph.D. Natalia Petrovskaya

December 3, 2017

nataliapetrovsky@gmail.com