Claims
- 1. A process for recovering metal values selected from the group consisting of:
- molybdenum and
- copper,
- from particulate solids containing said metal values in the presence of at least one sulfide selected from the group consisting of:
- iron,
- nickel,
- lead, and
- zinc,
- which process comprises:
- (a) mixing said solids with water, a collector and a 3-hydroxytrimethylene sulfide of the formula: ##STR2## wherein each R is independently H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl radical, to establish a pulp;
- (b) aerating said pulp to produce a froth containing a first portion of said minerals while allowing a second portion of said minerals to be depressed in said pulp; and
- (c) recovering said first portion of said minerals from said froth.
- 2. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said solids comprise crushed ore.
- 3. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said collector is present in the range of about 0.001-1.0 pounds per ton of said solids and said 3-hydroxytrimethylene sulfide is present in the range of about 0.005-10 pounds per ton of said solids.
- 4. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said collector is a xanthate collector.
- 5. A process in accordance with claim 4 wherein said xanthate collector is sodium isopropyl xanthate.
- 6. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said 3-hydroxytrimethylene sulfide is 3-hydroxytrimethylene sulfide.
- 7. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said solids comprise at least the metal values of
- copper and
- iron.
- 8. A process in accordance with claim 7 wherein said solids comprise a Cu/Ni/Fe-containing ore.
- 9. A process for recovering metal values selected from the group consisting of:
- molybdenum and
- copper,
- from a rougher concentrate containing said metal values in the presence of at least one sulfide selected from the group consisting of sulfides of:
- iron,
- nickel,
- lead, and
- zinc,
- which process comprises:
- (a) mixing a rougher concentrate containing said minerals with water, a collector and a 3-hydroxytrimethylene sulfide of the formula: ##STR3## wherein each R is independently H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl radical, to establish a pulp;
- (b) aerating said pulp to produce a froth containing a first portion of said minerals while allowing a second portion of said minerals to be depressed in said pulp; and
- (c) recovering said first portion of said minerals from said froth and recovering said depressed minerals from said pulp.
- 10. A process in accordance with claim 9 wherein said 3-hydroxytrimethylene sulfide is 3-hydroxytrimethylene sulfide.
- 11. A process in accordance with claim 9 wherein said collector is present in the range of abut 0.001-10 pounds per ton of said solids and said 3-hydroxytrimethylene sulfide is present in the range of about 0.005-10 pounds per ton of said solids.
- 12. A process in accordance with claim 9 wherein the collector is a sodium isopropyl xanthate collector.
- 13. A process in accordance with claim 12 wherein said xanthate collector is sodium isopropyl xanthate.
- 14. A process in accordance with claim 9 wherein said rougher concentrate comprises at least the metal values of:
- copper, and
- iron.
- 15. A process in accordance with claim 14 wherein said rougher concentrate comprises a Cu/Ni/Fe-containing ore.
Parent Case Info
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 722,627, now abandoned, filed 4/12/85.
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Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
2125337 |
Gaudin |
Aug 1938 |
|
4231859 |
Hulatt et al. |
Nov 1980 |
|
4400312 |
Lindstrom et al. |
Aug 1983 |
|
4416770 |
Bresson et al. |
Nov 1983 |
|
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
534983 |
Mar 1941 |
GBX |
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
722627 |
Apr 1985 |
|