Application of three xanthates collectors on the recovery of nickel and pentlandite in a low-grade nickel sulfide ore using optimum flotation parameters

One of the challenges encountered when processing nickel ore is the presence of other minerals like chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, pyrite and amphiboles in mineral dressing. Hence, there is need to investigate the selectivity of some collectors at optimum flotation parameters (particle size, milling time, pH and flotation cell) to maximize nickel and pendlandite recovery. Three xanthate collectors, namely potassium amyl xanthate (PAX), sodium isobutyl xanthate (SIBX) and sodium ethyl xanthate (SEX), were investigated in this study. In order to achieve this aim, the physical treatment of nickel sulfide ore and percentage chemical composition of nickel sulfide ore were investigated. The analyses of the concentrates were done using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). The optimum nickel and pentlandite recovery was achieved at particle size of 64.73 µm milled for 1.5 h, pH of 9.65 and using a new flotation cell. Also, SEX collector recovered more nickel and pentlandite contents compared to PAX and SIBX collectors when optimum parameters of particle size, milling time, pH and flotation cell were considered. In conclusion, the results showed that the selectivity of SEX is the strongest and will recover more pentlandite in a complex and low-grade nickel sulfide ore.