US1737717A - Process for flotation of cassiterite - Google Patents

Description

form a soft froth, which will contain the Patented Dec. 3, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROYAL S. HANDY, OF KELLOGG; IDAHO, AND RAYMOND IR. BEARD, 0F LALLAGUA,

BOLIVIA, ASSIGNOIRS TO PATINO MINES 8c ENTERPRISES CONSOLIDATED INQ, OF NEW YORK. N. Y., A. CORPORATION OF DELAWARE PROCESS FOR FLOTATION 0F GASSITERITE No Drawing. Application filed November 13, 1928, Serial No. 319,181,

This invention relates to the concentration of ores by flotation methods and it is particularly adapted for use in connection with ores containing cassiterite.

It is Well known that the usual flotation methods that are used for the separation of 'metalliferous particles from ores, such as copper ores, are not applicable to the treatment of ores containing cassiterite, for the reason that cassiterite is extremely resistant to flotation.

The present invention, however, is particularly adapted for the treatment of ores containing cassiterite, for by this method the cassiterite can be floated and recovered in the usual way. This method has been successfully used on a commercial scale in the treatment of ores at the mill of the Patino Mines & Enterprises Consolidated, Inc, at Lallagua, Bolivia.

In our improved process the material to be treated is conveniently ground by any of the well-known methods and mixed with water to form a pulp which may be heated if necessary. To this pulp is then added an alkaline electrolyte, such as carbonate of sodium, hydrate of sodium or other alkali; a substance, such as sulphate of copper or other acid salt, to put it in condition; a collector or athering material which may be a saponifiable substance, such as oleic acid or other grease acid; and a deflocculator, such as silicate of sodium or other gelatinous substance. The mixture is then violently agitated and subjected to aeration to give it enough air to cassiterite which is the mineral to be recovered. The froth is separated by any well known method and can be retreated againin like manner in order to increase the percentage of cassiterite in the froth.

If the froth contains pyrites or other sulphides it can be treated again in the same manner with sulfuric acid or an acid electrolyte, to cause the sulphides to float in the resulting froth without the flotation ofthe cassiterite, and thus effect a separation of the cassiterite and sulphides.

The following are typical examples of our new process:

and in Bolivia December 5, 1927.

Ewample 1.-1000 grams of pulp taken from a Dorr classifier at the Patino Mines were wellagitated in a flotation machine together with 5. grams of carbonate of sodium, 2 grams of sulphate of copper, 10 grams of Sun oil No. L. B. and 5 c. c. of commercially pure silicate of sodium. Upon agitation with the admission of air a creamy froth of even composition containing pyrites, cassiterite and silicate material raised to the surface and was removed. Upon further treatment this froth was found to contain 76% of the tin contained in the material treated.

Ewample Q.1000 grams of material taken from the above-mentioned plant was mixed with water and ground in a ball mill using steel balls to a size for flotation-together with 2 grams of sulphate of coper, 5 grams of carbonate of sodium, 5 c. c. of commercially pure silicate of sodium and 4 drops of Barrett oil No. 4. This pulp was then agitated in a flotation machine with 1 c. c. of oleic acid. Air was then admitted and the froth collected. This froth contained 92% of the tin contained in the material treated, having an assay of 16.5% Sn.

Ewample 51-1000 grams of pulp from a Dorr classifier were agitated while in a flotation machine together with 5 grams of sodium carbonate, 2 grams of copper sulphate, 10 grams of sodium silicate and 5 grams of soft soap. Air was admitted'during the agita tion and a creamy froth raised to the surface carrying with it a major part of the cassiterite contained in the pulp treated, as was 'determined by washing in a plate the tailings from the machine. The froth was taken and put again in a flotation machine without the addition of any more of the reagents. The froth recovered therefrom contained 17.5% Sn. while the pulp treated contained 4.4% Sn.

What we claim is 1. The ing cassiterite which consists in mixing the ore in a finely divided condition with water so as to form a pulp, subjecting the pulp to agitation in the presence of an alkaline electrolyte, an acid salt, a saponifiable substance and a deflocculator, supplying the pulp while being agitated with air to forma froth with rocess for treating ores contain- 'to form a pulp, heating the pulp,

the cassiterite floating therein, removin the froth, and separating the cassiterite t erefrom.

2. The process for treating ores containing cassiterite which consists in mixing the ore in a finely divided condition'with water so as subjecting the pulp to agitation in the presence of an alkaline electrolyte, an acid salt, a saponifi-.

able substance and a deflocculator, supplying the pulp while being agitated with air to form a frothwith the cassiterite. floating therein, removing the froth,-and separating I o the cassiterite therefrom.

ores containing 3. The process'of treating grinding the ore cassiterite which consists in to a finely divided condition, mixing it with phate, oleic acid,'and silicate of so water to form a pulp, agitating the pulp in the presence of small portions of sodium carbonate, copper sulphate, saponifiable ease and silicate of SOdlllIIl, aerating the mlxture during agitation -to form a froth with the cassiterite floating therein, and removing the 'froth. p I 4. The process of treating ores containing cassiterite which consists in mixing the ore in a finely divided condition with water to form a'pulp, adding to the pulp an alkaline electrolyte, an acid salt, a saponifiable substance, and a deflocculator, a 'tating the pulp and admitting air thereto iii-in collecting the resulting froth, a ding water and anacid to said froth and agitating the same to effect a separation of the sulphides and cassiterite, then removing said sulphides, and collecting the cassiterite.

5. The process of treating ores containing cassiterite which consists in mixing the ore in a finely divided condition with water to form a fpulp, adding to the pulp small portions 0 carbonate of sodium co per sulium, agitating the pulp and admitting air thereto during a itation, collecting the resulting froth, ad ing water and an acid electrotlfyte to said froth and agitating the same to e ect a separation of the sulphides and cassiterite, then removing said sulphides, and collecting the cassiterite.

This specification signed this 27th day'of August, 1928.- a v ROYAL S. HANDY. This specification signed this 17 day of October, 1928.

V RAYMOND R. BEARD.

agitation,