Composition and properties of highly dispersed particles generated under sulfide ore milling

Abstract

Laser diffraction analysis and dynamic light scattering method are used to study highly dispersed particles generated during milling of lead–zinc ore (Gorevsky deposit), rich sulfide and impregnated copper–nickel ore (Norilsk and Kingash deposits), as well as Gorevsky Pb concentrate and Sorsky deposit Cu and Mo concentrates. Zeta-potentials of particles are measured in clarified (colloid) solution above precipitation; surface composition of ores and their fine sizes is analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The highest yield of particles under 5 μm size grade (to 3 total percent) was observed in case of Kingash ore; moreover, zeta-potential of these particles was positive at pH 9.5 and surface compositions of precipitation and colloid particles were nearly the same. Comparatively high content of ultra dispersed fractions was observed in case of Gorevsky ore and Pb concentrate. Clarified solutions contained mostly aggregates of nano-size particles, first of all, Si and Mg minerals, with the hydrodynamic diameter of 500–1200 nm, which shows little changes with time. Sulfide component of hydrosols contains many nano-size particles of minerals that better resist oxidation (sphalerite, molybdenite, pentlandite, chalcopyrite) and, in particular, can transfer metals within the ambient medium.