GB319685A - Improvements in or relating to the concentration of fluorspar values from fluorspar ores - Google Patents

Abstract

319,685. Aluminium, Ltd., (Assignees of Williams, J. C., and Greeman, O. W.). Sept. 26, 1928, [Convention date]. Flotation processes.-Fluorspar is separated from gangue containing a substantial amount of calcite by a froth-flotation process following treatment of the ore to remove a large proportion of the slimes. The slimes are removed from the crushed ore either by frothing or preferably by repeated agitation with water, the water and slimes being syphoned off after settlement of the ore, and the deslimed pulp is treated with a frothing agent comprising a mixture of oleic and cresylic acids, preferably in approximately equal quantities. Sodium oleate and phosphocresylic acid may replace oleic and cresylic acids respectively. The froth and the material carried over with it are collected, diluted with water, and again frothed with or without the addition of more frothing reagent. This cleaning of the froth is repeated two or more times, the froth from the final operation being taken as the final concentrate. The use of sulphates, e.g. aluminium' or copper sulphate, and sodium sulphide as depressants, and of oleic acid, or sodium oleate with soda ash, and oleic acid with pine oil as flotation agents is referred to.