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Oxidation/Reduction Effects in Depression of Sulfide Minerals—A Review

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Abstract

A review of the published literature on the mechanism of depression of sulfide minerals shows that a unified theory is not yet available. Various mechanisms that have been postulated include competition between depressants and collectors to adsorb at the surface sites, creation of thermodynamic conditions nonconducive for formation of a metal collector salt, or formation of a hydrophilic coating on the surface. The hydrophilic coating may or may not effect the adsorption of collectors. In another mechanism, the depressant may participate directly in oxidation/reduction reactions between collectors and sulfide minerals. Examples from the literature highlight oxidation/reduction effects in the depression of sulfide minerals.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. department of mineral engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA

    S. Chander (member SME, associate professor)

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  1. S. Chander
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SME preprint 84-75, SME-AIME Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, CA, March 1984. MMP paper 84-615. Manuscript November 1983. Discussion of this paper must be submitted, in duplicate, prior to April 30, 1985.

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Chander, S. Oxidation/Reduction Effects in Depression of Sulfide Minerals—A Review. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 2, 26–35 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03402591

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