Physical Adsorption Mechanism in Terms of Sulphide Mineral Activation by Heavy Metal Ions

Activation of sulphides by heavy metal ions is discussed. A brief analysis of modern ideas on mechanism of activation of sphalerite, pyrite and galena by copper sulfate and lead nitrate is given. It is shown that the current technology insufficiently conforms to the experimental and practical data on activation of minerals. A new mechanism to activate mineral flotation is proposed based on the physical adsorption of collecting agents. The process allows explaining suppression of flotation under increased concentrations of an activator and flotation of sulphides without collectors. The new mechanism integrates the action of mixed potential, activation of minerals by heavy metal ions and the collectorless flotation in terms of a common theoretical framework.