EARTH

[3812-23-08] Effect of hydrogen peroxide on separation of chalcopyrite and molybdenite using flotation

○Gde Pandhe Wisnu Suyantara¹, Tsuyoshi Hirajima¹, Hajime Miki¹, Keiko Sasaki¹ (1. Kyushu University)

Chairman:Richard Alorro (Curtin University)

Keywords:selective oxidation, flotation, molybdenite, chalcopyrite, hydrogen peroxide

Various oxidation treatments (i.e., plasma, and ozone) have been applied to separate molybdenite from other sulfide metals. However, plasma and ozone treatments exhibit stronger oxidation on chalcopyrite and molybdenite, reducing the separation selectivity of both minerals in flotation tests. On the other hand, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is frequently used as an oxidizing agent in wastewater treatment. It has also been reported to reduce the recovery of sulfide minerals. Therefore, the effect of H₂O₂ on separation of chalcopyrite and molybdenite was investigated in this study. Contact angle readings and surface images using atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that chalcopyrite surface was more sensitive to surface oxidation compared to that of molybdenite in H₂O₂ aqueous solution. The floatability test of single mineral confirmed the contact angle results and AFM images, indicating a possibility for selective separation of chalcopyrite and molybdenite using a H₂O₂ aqueous solution. In addition, iron was used to improve the oxidation performance of H₂O₂ and its effect on the selective flotation of chalcopyrite and molybdenite is intensively studied in this work.