Xanthate Abstraction and Floatability of Pyrite Activated by Heavy-Metallic lons

In a previous paper on the activation of pyrite by heavy-metallic ions such as Hg2+, Ag+, Cu2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, Ni2+ and Co2+, it was shown that Hg2+, Ag+ and Cu2+ were abstracted considerably well by pyrite, and that the nature of these abstractions was due to the replacement of Fe2+ on pyrite by these respective ions.Since the activation is generally recognized as a process of alteration of the surface of minerals that permits them to respond to collectors, it appears desirable to examine xanthate abstraction and floatability of pyrite pretreated by the above-mentioned ions in order to confirm the mechanism of activation.In the present paper, the amounts of ethyl xanthate abstracted by the pyrite which had been pretreated by these respective ions were determined at various pH values of the pulp. Further, the effects of activation by these ions on flotation were measured.It was shown that the amounts of xanthate abstracted by pyrite were fairly increased only when the pyrite was pretreated by Hg2+, Ag+ and Cu2+, and that the floatability of pyrite was promoted by the presence of Hg2+, Ag+ and Cu2+ in the pulp.It may be concluded from these results that the activation of pyrite by heavy-metallic ions is closely related to the abstraction of these ions by pyrite.