Molybdenum is an important alloy element for metallurgical industry because of its high temperature stability. As the major mineral reserve for molybdenum, molybdenite (MoS2) is commonly found in porphyry copper deposits. Molybdenite is naturally floatable and can be separated from copper sulfide mineral using froth flotation. Properties of molybdenite such as mineralogy, microstructure, surface wettability, zeta potential, etc. can have a great effect on its floatability. Organic and inorganic depressants and surface pre-treatment methods are applied to improve the recovery of molybdenite. Electrochemical potential measurements using different electrodes are used to monitor process conditions and enable processing parameter adjustments to improve flotation circuit performance and reduce operating costs. Cations like Ca2+ and Mg2+ are reported to have negative effects on the flotation of molybdenite in alkaline solution, and dispersants and oil collectors need to be added to restore the flotation of molybdenite. In addition, effects of gangue minerals, particle size, and oil collectors and surfactants on molybdenite recovery are also discussed in this manuscript.
Keywords: Cationic depressants; Depressant; Electrochemical potential; Molybdenite flotation; Oil collectors; Surfactants.
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