Evaluation of sodium isobutyl xanthate as a collector in the froth flotation of a carbonatitic copper ore

The dosage of a collector is an important factor that determines the efficiency of a froth flotation process. The representative sample of the carbonatitic Palabora copper ore ground 45 % passing 75 µm was froth-floated with sodium isobutyl xanthate (SIBX) collector at 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 g/t dosages. The concentrates and tails were dried and analysed. The results obtained showed that the highest recovery of 85.18 % with a grade of 12.61 % was obtained at the 80 g/t dosage. It was further observed that the copper grade of the concentrate generally decreased with increasing recovery. The particle size distribution analysis of the tailings showed that the froth flotation was most efficient in the fine particle size range 38–75 µm.