Title: The Influence of the Structural Deviation of Pyrite on its Flotation Characteristics
Abstract: Pyrite samples from one of the typical Kuroko deposits, Hanaoka mine in the northern part of Japan, were studied from crystallographical and surface topographical viewpoints in the previous report.The present paper deals with the relation between structural deviation of pyrite and its surface chemical as well as flotation characteristics.The values of ζ-potential and pH as ζ=0, phζ=0 could be correlated with non-stoichiometry, crystallographic indices of pyrite and the distribution of etching structures on the mineral surface; the less the value of S/Fe and the lattice constant, the higher the pH value of pHζ=0The results observed could be explained from the semiconductive nature of non-stoichiometric pyrite.Batch flotation tests on the sized pyrite particles (53/37μ) using xanthate as collector at pH 1-12 showed that the flotation rate constant was dependent on the value of S/Fe, crystallographic factors and the distribution of etching structures.Notably in this connection the inversed relationship was obtained under acidic and alkaline conditions, suggesting different adsorption mechanisms of xanthate ions on pyrite for different pH conditions.