Electrochemical aspects of grinding media-mineral interaction on sulphide flotation

Abstract

Galvanic interaction between electrically conducting minerals may affect the mineral surface and influence their flotabilities. The metallographic examinations as well as hardness measurements have been made with grinding media. Rest potential, combination potential, galvanic current and polarization studies were made to understand the probable electrochemical interaction between grinding media and chalcopyrite. The galvanic contact lowered the flotability of chalcopyrite. AES and ESCA indicated that galvanic coupling of chalcopyrite with grinding media resulted in the formation of oxy-hydroxide species of iron on the chalcopyrite surface. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the surface morphological changes on the grinding media due to galvanic interaction with chalcopyrite.