Revisiting sulphide mineral flotation: a few priorities and directions

Scientists and technologists in world over are making large efforts to streamline the conventional technological schemes of ore processing, in particular froth flotation towards reducing overall costs, limiting the use of dangerous substances, decreasing waste streams and improving waste disposal. Hitherto, search for such innovations has been performed mainly empirically and there is an urgent need to shift these technologies to be more innovative and effective. Understanding of the fundamental concepts of aquatic chemistry of minerals–selective adsorption and selective redox reactions at mineral–solution interfaces would impact innovating conventional flotation process. Molecular-level knowledge and coherent understanding of minerals contacted with aqueous solutions is required which underlie great opportunities in controlling mineral–solution interfaces towards the grand challenge of tomorrow’s science and mineral processing technology. Aqueous redox chemistry of sulphides and adsorption mechanisms, the problems of metal sulphides selectivity against pyrite and fine particle flotation have been highlighted and discussed in the light of literature. The requisite knowledge and research needs to address these issues have also been briefly presented.